Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. I'll break down the specs, highlight key differences, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two Motorola phones stack up, along with what these specs actually mean for day-to-day use:
Feature | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Real-World Implications |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm | 161.2 × 74 × 8.6 mm | Edge 40 Pro is more compact and potentially more comfortable to hold, while the G51 is noticeably larger. |
Weight | 208g | 199g | Edge 40 Pro is slightly lighter, which could be noticeable during prolonged use. |
Build Material | Not Specified | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Edge 40 Pro has a more durable screen, likely better protection against scratches and drops. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | Moto G51 has a slightly larger screen. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness. |
Pixel Density | 387 ppi | 394 ppi | Very similar screen detail. |
Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Edge 40 Pro's OLED has richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. It's a significantly better visual experience. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Edge 40 Pro’s display will feel smoother in animations and transitions. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Edge 40 Pro is significantly brighter and much easier to see outdoors, especially in sunlight. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | Edge 40 Pro’s chipset is a generational leap ahead, offering vastly superior processing and gaming performance. |
AnTuTu Score | 381,000 | 1,532,500 | Edge 40 Pro is much, much faster. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and higher gaming frame rates. |
GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 740 | Edge 40 Pro's graphics are also way ahead. |
RAM | 4GB or 8GB | 12GB | Edge 40 Pro has more RAM, leading to better multitasking and faster loading of large applications. |
Camera | |||
Main Camera Resolution | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor) | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor) | Edge 40 Pro’s larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better image quality and low-light performance. |
Front Camera Resolution | 13MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm) | 60MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 0.61µm) | Edge 40 Pro takes much higher resolution selfies. |
Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP (f/1.6, 1/2.93", 1.22µm) | Edge 40 Pro has an additional telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots. |
Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP (1.12µm) | 50MP (f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm) | Edge 40 Pro captures much higher-resolution ultrawide shots. |
Macro Lens | 2MP (1.75µm) | None | Moto G51 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
Video Recording | 1080p@30/60/240fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps | Edge 40 Pro supports much higher quality video recording, with better stabilization and a wider range of frame rates and HDR options. |
Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Edge 40 Pro provides video stabilization. |
DXOMARK | Not Tested | 130 | Edge 40 Pro’s camera is much more advanced. |
Battery Life | |||
Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4600 mAh | Moto G51 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life. |
Charging | 10W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse Wired | Edge 40 Pro offers dramatically faster charging, plus the convenience of wireless charging and reverse charging. |
Software and Other | |||
OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | Edge 40 Pro has a much newer OS, which means more features and security updates. |
Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) | Edge 40 Pro supports much faster Wi-Fi standards. |
Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Edge 40 Pro has a more up-to-date Bluetooth version for better connectivity. |
SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Edge 40 Pro includes an eSIM option. |
Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | Edge 40 Pro offers significantly more storage. |
Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has an option for SD Card. |
Audio | Dolby Atmos, 2 Mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 4 Mics | Edge 40 Pro has better sound with stereo speakers and 4 mics. |
Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Moto G51 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Edge 40 Pro has more sensor options |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G51 5G: This phone focuses on providing a budget-friendly 5G experience with a large screen. Its strength lies in its larger battery capacity and the included macro lens. However, it lags behind in nearly every other performance category when compared to the Edge 40 Pro.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro: This is a high-performance phone. It boasts a superior display with OLED technology, a much faster processor, more RAM, significantly faster charging capabilities, better camera system including telephoto and wide-angle lenses, and more advanced software. It's built for speed, high-quality content creation, and smooth, lag-free experiences. The trade off is its higher price, less battery and not having a macro lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Moto G51 5G: Best suited for budget-conscious users who want a 5G phone with a large screen. It's ideal for basic tasks, browsing, social media, and media consumption. Those who value a larger battery and don’t need a high-end camera, high-resolution video recording or gaming performance will do well with this phone.
Edge 40 Pro: Ideal for users who demand the best possible performance, a premium display, and a top-tier camera. Perfect for gamers, content creators, professionals, and anyone who wants a flagship-level experience. This is for someone who is after a phone that is fast, modern and future-proof.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you choose:
Budget: How much are you willing to spend? If you are on a tight budget, the Moto G51 5G is the more affordable option. If you are willing to spend more for a high-end experience, the Edge 40 Pro is the way to go.
Performance: What will you mostly use your phone for? If it’s basic tasks and media, the G51 is fine. If you plan to game or multitask heavily, or if you want the best camera system, you should choose the Edge 40 Pro.
Features and Future Proofing: How much emphasis do you place on display, camera, and charging speed? If these features are important to you, the Edge 40 Pro is a must. The Edge 40 Pro will also receive more years of software updates and remain future-proof for longer.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for browsing, social media, and casual video watching, the Moto G51 5G is sufficient and a more budget-friendly option.
Mobile Gamer: If you enjoy playing demanding games, the Edge 40 Pro is the clear winner, offering significantly better graphics performance and a smoother refresh rate.
Content Creator: If you frequently shoot photos or videos, the Edge 40 Pro’s high-quality camera system with its enhanced video capabilities and telephoto and wide-angle lenses is much better suited for your needs.
Power User: If you need a phone that can handle intensive multitasking and provides the best possible performance, the Edge 40 Pro is the better option.
My Choice If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. I value cutting-edge tech, especially in performance, display, and camera quality. The significant jump in processing power, the gorgeous OLED display, superior camera capabilities, and rapid charging would be worth the extra investment for me. While the Moto G51 is a good, affordable option, for my personal use I would find it limiting after a short period, making the investment in the Edge 40 Pro a no-brainer.