Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Motorola Edge (2022)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-09-22 | Motorola is significantly newer, potentially longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 mm | Motorola is taller and wider, may feel less ergonomic for small hands. |
| Weight | 169g | 170g | Virtually identical, both feel lightweight |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.6" | Motorola has a more immersive experience with larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness at typical viewing distances. |
| PPI | 421 | 399 | Samsung has slightly crisper text and images, but the difference is minor |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both produce vibrant colors and deep blacks, similar quality |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola provides slightly smoother scrolling and animation, beneficial for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Samsung is much brighter for direct sunlight viewing; Motorola’s max brightness is not specified, likely less visible in sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6nm) | Exynos is more powerful, smoother performance overall, especially with graphics-intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 522,375 | Samsung is notably faster, faster app loading and better performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Samsung’s GPU offers better graphics performance and gaming capabilities |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola has significantly longer battery life, can last a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Motorola charges slightly faster, time saving on charging times |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | 15W Wireless Charging, 5W Reverse Wireless | Both have wireless charging; similar power sharing capabilities |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 12MP | 50MP | Motorola captures more detail in photos, better for cropping. |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1/1.76" (Sony IMX555) | 1/1.55" (Omnivision OV50A) | Motorola’s sensor has slightly better light gathering, may lead to better low-light photos. |
| Telephoto Camera | Yes (64MP) | No | Samsung offers optical zoom for portraits and distant objects. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 10MP | 32MP | Motorola selfie cam has higher detail, but lower aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | Yes (13MP) | Motorola offers a wide-angle lens for capturing more of the scene. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes (20MP) | Motorola can take close-up photos of small objects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Yes (12.2MP) | No | Samsung offers versatile wide and macro photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K @ 24fps | Up to 4K @ 30fps | Samsung has much higher video recording resolution; better for video enthusiasts |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 111; Selfie: 132 | Not Tested | Samsung has proven camera performance, while Motorola is untested |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Samsung has more software update support; Motorola’s update support is limited |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have similar fast WiFi support |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Motorola has a newer Bluetooth, slightly faster connections. |
| GPS | Advanced | Standard | Samsung has better GPS for precise navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano+eSIM) | Motorola offers the convenience of a digital SIM option. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage choices. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB/8GB | Samsung has 8GB RAM, while Motorola has 6 or 8GB, Samsung may handle background tasks more effectively |
| Expandable | No | No | Both do not offer microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Motorola has 3 microphones for superior audio capture, clearer calls |
| Security | |||
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 3 | Samsung has much better screen scratch resistance, durable screen |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Variety of sensors | Variety of sensors | Both are feature rich in sensors, with slight differences |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and higher benchmark scores offer faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
- Better Camera System: 8K Video recording, telephoto lens with optical zoom and DxOMark scores indicate superior photo and video capabilities overall.
- Better Software Support: Longer support for software updates
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus is better protection than Gorilla Glass 3
Motorola Edge (2022) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides significantly better battery life, ideal for heavy users and travelers.
- Larger Display: The 6.6" screen offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling, enhancing the user experience.
- More Versatile Camera Array: Includes wide angle and macro lenses.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: For potentially faster and more stable wireless connections.
- Enhanced Audio Capture: 3 Microphones for better audio capture for clear calls
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G prioritizes power, camera quality and display visibility over battery life and display size.
- The Motorola Edge (2022) focuses on battery life, a larger screen, and camera versatility over raw performance and screen quality.
- The Samsung may not last a full day under heavy use, while the Motorola may be more suited for users who need long battery life.
- The Samsung has a more durable screen compared to the Motorola's, but the Motorola has a more updated bluetooth version.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand fast performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos, especially with zoom capabilities.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a bright screen for visibility in sunny conditions.
- Users who want guaranteed software updates for a longer period of time: Users who want to keep their phone for as long as possible with software support.
- Users who value durability: Users who want more durable glass on their screens
Motorola Edge (2022) Ideal User:
- Heavy Battery Users: Individuals who need a phone that can last a full day without frequent charging.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and playing games on a large screen.
- Casual Photographers: Users who would appreciate the versatility of having a macro and wide-angle lens.
- Users who value better audio capture: Users who often have calls and video conferences will appreciate the 3 microphones for better audio clarity.
- Users who are ok with limited software updates: Users who are fine with only 2 years of OS updates.
- Users who prioritize smoother scrolling: Users who will value the higher refresh rate
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Mobile gaming, professional photography, bright sunlight usage, users who value performance.
- Motorola Edge (2022): Long travel days, media consumption, users who need good battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw processing power and camera quality to you? (Samsung excels here)
- How critical is long battery life for your daily usage? (Motorola is better)
- Do you value a smaller, pocketable design over a larger display, and better display brightness? (Samsung is smaller and brighter)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you prioritize performance, camera quality, screen brightness, and future software support choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
- If you prioritize a long-lasting battery, larger display, and a more diverse camera array, choose the Motorola Edge (2022).
- If you are on a budget and can find a significantly cheaper price for one device, consider that option, as both are capable phones.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Motorola Edge (2022) has some advantages, like the larger battery and display, the S21's superior performance, brighter display and better camera system, especially with its telephoto lens and 8K video capabilities, outweigh these benefits for my use case. The S21's screen has better protection which is important for me since I am clumsy, and Samsung’s guaranteed software updates make the S21 the better option overall, even if it is an older device. The ability to use it outdoors in sunlight without issues due to its screen is a huge plus, along with the processing power for gaming.
