1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm | Very similar size. Motorola is slightly taller and thinner, but difference is negligible. |
| Weight | 169g | 155g | Motorola Edge 30 Neo is noticeably lighter, which can make it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.28" | Almost identical size, no practical difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness for both. |
| PPI | 421 | 419 | Essentially the same pixel density, images will look equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Similar display quality with rich colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Samsung's display is much brighter, making it significantly easier to see in bright sunlight. Motorola's brightness info is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Samsung’s chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 425,200 | Samsung offers substantially higher performance, meaning less lag, smoother graphics, better overall experience, especially for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 619 | Samsung has a more powerful GPU for better graphics rendering and gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | Motorola has higher resolution, but Samsung's larger sensor may result in better low light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | Samsung has dedicated telephoto lens, useful for zoomed photos, portrait shots, which the Motorola lacks |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 32MP, f/2.4 | Motorola has higher resolution. Samsung has slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 13MP, f/2.2 | Very similar wide-angle cameras, negligible difference. |
| Video | Up to 8K @ 24fps | Up to 1080p @ 120fps | Samsung offers much higher video recording resolution. |
| DXOMark Scores | Mobile:111/Selfie:132 | None | Samsung has been tested and scored by DxOMark, indicating good camera performance, especially for selfies. Motorola’s camera hasn't been tested. |
| Camera Features | Multiple additional features including: 4K Video, 8K Video, Optical zoom, RAW, Night Mode | Dual camera, Laser autofocus (LAF) | Samsung offers more advanced camera features and recording capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4020mAh | Practically the same battery size. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 68W fast, 5W wireless | Motorola charges much faster (68W) and includes wireless charging. |
| Battery Features | Wireless 15W, Reverse charging | Wireless 5W | Samsung offers faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 15 | Android 12, up to 15 | Motorola is launching with a slightly newer OS, both expected to upgrade up to Android 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Samsung offers faster, more reliable WiFi with Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Motorola has slightly newer Bluetooth. Samsung has more Bluetooth profiles. |
| GPS | More systems supported | Fewer systems supported | Samsung offers more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Same storage options available. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | Both have sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external memory cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Samsung has a noise cancellation mic. Motorola has 2 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensors for security. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Barometer | No Barometer | Samsung includes a barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides significantly higher processing power, making it better for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.
- Better Display Brightness: Much higher peak brightness (1300 nits) ensures excellent visibility in bright sunlight.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens, 8K video recording, more advanced camera features, and better camera performance scores.
- Faster Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers both faster wireless charging speeds and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Features Wi-Fi 6 and more GPS satellite support.
- Better Screen Protection: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Additional Sensors: Includes a barometer, hall, and geomagnetic sensor.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Noticeably lighter weight makes it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Faster Charging: 68W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Wireless Charging: Includes wireless charging.
- Newer Bluetooth version Slightly more recent Bluetooth.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G sacrifices slightly on charging speeds and weight for significantly superior performance, camera capabilities, and display brightness.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Neo prioritizes faster charging and a lighter design, but significantly lags behind in performance, camera features, and display brightness, especially when outdoors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is Ideal for:
- Power Users: Those who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality photos, zoom capabilities, and advanced video features.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a bright display to see in sunny conditions.
- Users who want a more premium experience: Looking for higher quality materials and features
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Shooting high-resolution photos and videos.
- Using the phone in bright outdoor environments.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple applications.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo is Ideal for:
- Everyday Users: Those looking for a balanced phone for general use, social media, and light gaming.
- Users Who Value Fast Charging: Those who need to quickly top up their phone battery.
- Users Who Prioritize Lighter Phones: Those who value a lightweight phone for comfortable long term usage.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a good phone at a more affordable price point.
Specific Use Cases for Motorola Edge 30 Neo:
- Casual browsing and social media.
- Watching videos.
- Using everyday apps.
- Light gaming.
- Users who need a lightweight and easy to carry device.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is likely more expensive but offers significantly better performance, camera, display quality, and features.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is positioned as a more budget-friendly option and focuses on essential features and convenience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:
- How important is performance and gaming to you? If you need the best performance, the Samsung S21 is better. If you only need general usage or play lighter games, the Motorola is good enough.
- Do you frequently use your phone outdoors? The Samsung has a significantly better display for outdoor use.
- Do you need advanced camera features? The Samsung is better for photography. If you take only basic photos, the Motorola is fine.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Power User: If you are a gamer, content creator, or multitasker, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better choice due to its powerful chipset, better display, and advanced camera.
- Scenario 2: The Budget-Conscious User: If you need a functional phone for everyday use and prioritize fast charging and a light weight, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo is a good choice.
- Scenario 3: The Photography Enthusiast: If you want to take high quality, detailed photos and videos, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better phone, offering a dedicated telephoto lens, 8k recording and superior results.
- Scenario 4: The Outdoor Enthusiast: If you often use your phone outside, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a much better bright display making it easier to use in direct sunlight.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Motorola Edge 30 Neo offers some advantages like faster charging and a lighter build, the Galaxy S21 5G provides a superior overall experience that aligns with my priorities. The key reasons are:
- Significantly better performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset is a large step up from the Snapdragon 695, meaning less lag, better multitasking and a more fluid gaming experience.
- Far superior display brightness: As someone who spends a fair amount of time outside, the difference in display brightness is critical to my experience and usefulness of the device.
- Advanced camera system: I value the telephoto lens, ability to record in 8k and overall higher camera score for pictures and video.
- Better screen protection: I'd prefer the extra protection from the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- More advanced connectivity: I prefer the newer WiFi 6 for faster connectivity.
While the Motorola's faster charging is nice, I believe the performance, display, camera and durability of the Samsung makes it a better device. It aligns better with my use cases, despite being potentially more expensive.
