1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-09-14 | Motorola is significantly newer (approx. 2 years newer), likely having longer software update support. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm | Motorola is taller, but with very similar width and thickness, the difference is negligible in hand. |
| Weight | 169g | 170g | Both phones feel virtually identical in weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.55" | Motorola has a noticeably larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness. |
| PPI | 421 | 402 | Both have very similar pixel density for crisp text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, good contrast, and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola has a slightly smoother feel when scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both offer great visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm) | S21 offers faster processing, and smoother app loading, and a better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 527,666 | S21 has superior raw performance, noticeable in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G610 MC3 | S21 has a more powerful GPU for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola has a significantly larger battery for much longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 68W fast charging | Motorola charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | None | S21 offers more versatile charging options |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76") | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.55") | Motorola's main sensor captures more detail, particularly in good light conditions, also slightly better low-light performance due to the slightly bigger sensor size. |
| Telephoto | 64MP (f/2.0, 1/1.72") | Not present | S21 has a dedicated zoom lens for better image quality at higher magnification. |
| Selfie | 10MP (f/2.2, 1/3.2") | 32MP (f/2.4) | Motorola captures more detailed selfies, but the S21 might offer slightly better low-light performance due to wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55") | 13MP (f/2.2) | Similar wide-angle quality with both phones. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | S21 records higher resolution video for professional users. |
| DxoMark (Mobile) | 111 (Photo: 118, Video: 90) | 103 (Photo: 102, Video: 116) | S21 is better for photos overall, while Motorola excels in video quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 13 (Upgradable to 15) | Motorola starts with a newer OS version, but both can upgrade to the same Android version |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Motorola has the newer Bluetooth standard with better power efficiency and range. |
| GPS | L1+L5, E1+E5a | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | S21 offers more precise GPS capabilities, while Motorola has a broader range of supported systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Motorola supports eSIM for easy carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB | Motorola has only one storage variant of 256GB. S21 offers a smaller 128GB variant. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Motorola's 12GB RAM option is beneficial for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos | S21 offers noise cancellation for clearer calls while Motorola has dual microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both use similar basic fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | S21 has a more scratch-resistant display. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21 has additional environmental sensors for more comprehensive data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Faster chipset and GPU leading to smoother app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom, higher quality photos overall, and 8K video recording capabilities.
- Wireless Charging: Supports 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, offering more convenience.
- Enhanced GPS: Dual-band GPS for more accurate location tracking.
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection against scratches.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched much later, potentially having longer software support and newer features.
- Larger Display: Offers more screen real estate for media consumption and productivity.
- Significantly Better Battery Life: Larger battery capacity for extended usage without needing a recharge.
- Faster Charging: Much faster charging speed, reducing downtime.
- More RAM: 12GB RAM option offers better performance in multi-tasking and heavy games.
- eSIM Support: Offers convenient digital SIM functionality.
- Better Video Quality: Higher DxoMark video quality score and more modern camera video technology.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.4 provides better power efficiency and range.
Trade-offs:
- S21 trades larger battery, faster charging, a more modern main camera, and newer Bluetooth for better overall performance, a telephoto lens, wireless charging, and slightly better screen protection.
- Edge 40 Neo trades peak performance and a telephoto lens for a much larger battery, faster charging, and a bigger, smoother display, and more recent technology.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is Ideal For:
- Gamers: Benefits from the powerful processor and GPU.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Telephoto lens, high-quality camera system, and 8K video.
- Users Needing Wireless Charging: Convenient wireless charging options.
- Power Users: Need raw processing power for demanding tasks
- Users Prioritizing Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus is beneficial
Motorola Edge 40 Neo is Ideal For:
- Casual Users: Who value long battery life, faster charging, and a large screen for daily tasks.
- Media Consumers: A larger display and 144Hz refresh rate for a more immersive experience.
- Frequent Travelers: Dual SIM + eSIM, larger battery, and faster charging are convenient.
- Users who dislike compromises: The Motorola offers a more modern camera, a larger battery, faster charging, and a smoother display.
- Users who want more RAM for multitasking: 12GB of RAM is very useful for running multiple apps at the same time.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21: Mobile gaming, professional photography, content creation with high-resolution video.
- Edge 40 Neo: Binge-watching videos, all-day usage without charging, international travel with eSIM.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize raw performance and camera versatility, or battery life and a larger screen?
- Is wireless charging and reverse wireless charging important to you?
- Are you willing to sacrifice a telephoto camera and a bit of raw processing power for significantly better battery life and faster charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer/Content Creator: Choose Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its better performance, telephoto lens, and 8K video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Casual User/Frequent Traveler: Choose Motorola Edge 40 Neo for longer battery life, larger display, faster charging, and eSIM capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Users on a tighter budget: Both phones are relatively old, so the second hand prices would be very similar. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo offers much more modern technology, such as faster charging and a larger battery.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 40 Neo.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers better raw performance and a more versatile camera system with a telephoto lens, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo better suits my needs. I prioritize battery life, faster charging, and a larger display for comfortable media consumption and daily use. The fact that the Edge 40 Neo is a much newer device with newer technology gives me better peace of mind in terms of the future, and its performance is still more than adequate for my daily use. The trade-off in raw performance is acceptable given the substantial improvements in other areas that are more important to me, such as the faster charging, and much longer battery life. I also prefer the larger display and the 144hz refresh rate for a smoother experience, and for media consumption, and the eSIM support is also a plus for when I travel.
