1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 154.1 x 71.2 x 8.1 mm | Edge 50 Neo is slightly taller and thicker but mostly similar. Differences are negligible. |
| Weight | 169g | 171g | Virtually identical, both feel lightweight in hand. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.4" | Motorola has a slightly larger display, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1256 x 2760 | Motorola has noticeably sharper text and images with higher resolution. |
| PPI | 421 | 474 | Motorola’s display is significantly sharper, beneficial for reading and detail-oriented tasks. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, similar overall quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 3000 nits | Motorola is significantly brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | S21 has marginally higher raw processing power; Neo benefits from newer 4nm fabrication which may be more power-efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 675,000 | S21 shows slightly better benchmark performance; Both are capable of handling most tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G615 MC2 | S21 has theorectically higher graphics performance; Both GPUs are adequate for gaming, but the S21 has an edge. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Edge 50 Neo captures more detail; S21 has larger pixels. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | N/A | S21 offers optical zoom for detailed long-range shots. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 10MP, f/2.0 | Neo provides optical zoom with a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 13MP, f/2.2 | Similar performance for wide-angle shots; slightly higher resolution on Neo. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.2 | Neo captures significantly more detail in selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 offers higher video resolution. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 111 (Photo 118, Video 90) | 115 (Photo 118, Video 107) | Neo performs better in video recording. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 132 (Photo 125, Video 145) | N/A | S21 has excellent selfie camera capabilities. |
| Features | OIS, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | LAF | S21 has more manual shooting options; Neo has laser autofocus. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 4310 mAh | Edge 50 Neo has slightly better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Edge 50 Neo charges significantly faster. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse Charging | Wireless charging | S21 offers reverse wireless charging; Both have 15W wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More powerful Chipset: The Exynos 2100 offers slightly better performance, particularly for gaming and demanding applications.
- Telephoto Camera: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which is superior for distant subjects than digital zoom.
- Advanced Video Recording: 8K video recording capability which is better for pro level videos.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher rated selfie camera performance in DXOmark.
- Advanced Audio Features: Has Noise cancellation microphone
- More GPS Systems: Has more systems which offer more precise location services.
- Better Screen Protection: Utilizes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, offering superior scratch and damage resistance.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Allows the phone to charge other devices wirelessly.
Motorola Edge 50 Neo Advantages:
- Newer phone: More recent hardware and software, with longer software support.
- Larger and Sharper Display: Larger screen and higher resolution.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Superior outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired charging speeds.
- Higher-Resolution Main Camera: Captures more detail in daylight.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Captures more detail in selfies.
- Larger Battery: Provides marginally better battery life.
- Wi-Fi 6E support: Offers faster network speeds and reduced interference on compatible networks.
- eSIM support: Offers flexibility for digital SIM management.
- Higher RAM capacity (optional): Provides smoother multitasking.
- Higher internal storage (optional): more storage capacity for files, pictures, and media.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy S21 trades a newer phone with better display for slightly better benchmark performance and camera flexibility.
- The Edge 50 Neo prioritizes display quality, battery, and charging speed over raw performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users: Those who prioritize benchmark performance, gaming, or advanced computational tasks.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who value having a variety of focal lengths and want a good level of zoom and manual control.
- Power users: Those who would utilise wireless reverse charging.
- Users who prioritize advanced sensor suites
- Users seeking best screen protection.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding games.
- Capturing detailed photos with various zoom levels.
- Filming professional-quality videos using 8K resolution.
- Charging other devices on-the-go.
Motorola Edge 50 Neo Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who value a large, bright, and sharp display for video, browsing, and reading.
- Everyday Users: Those who value a fast-charging phone that lasts through the day.
- Selfie Takers: Users who want high-quality, detailed selfies.
- Users who want cutting-edge connectivity features
- Users who want an option for a large storage device
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on a bright display.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
- Taking detailed selfies and posting them online.
- Utilizing eSIM for international travel or multiple carriers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize screen quality, charging speed and newer features, or raw performance and more flexibility in camera options?
- How important is outdoor visibility and battery life for your daily usage?
- Do you need the extra storage, or high performance gaming capabilities offered by one of these phones?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer/Power User:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G due to better chipset, dedicated telephoto camera, and high resolution 8K video capability.
- Scenario 2: Media Consumption and Everyday Use:
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 50 Neo due to its larger, brighter screen, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G due to its telephoto lens, OIS, and RAW support. However, if higher resolution selfies and a decent main camera are more important, the Edge 50 Neo would be suitable.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would personally pick the Motorola Edge 50 Neo. Here's why:
My primary use cases involve media consumption, daily productivity, and casual photography. The Edge 50 Neo's larger, brighter, and sharper display is a significant advantage for my daily usage. The significantly faster charging is very appealing as I prefer to charge my phone quickly when I need it. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has some advantages in raw performance and camera flexibility, the Edge 50 Neo’s newer technology, superior display, faster charging, and larger storage options better fit my everyday needs. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E and eSIM are also attractive due to future-proofing for connectivity. While the S21 has the advantage in raw processing power and a better camera setup, I am willing to sacrifice those for the Edge 50 Neo's superior screen, charging, and newer features. For my use case, it is the better value proposition.
