1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | The Motorola is taller, wider, and thicker, making the Samsung more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 169g | 186g | The Samsung is significantly lighter, which is more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones without foldable designs. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | The Motorola offers a more immersive viewing experience with a larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | The Motorola has sharper visuals with a higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 421 | 446 | The Motorola has slightly crisper details due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | The Motorola is significantly more readable outdoors in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Motorola's newer chipset offers better performance and efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 866,863 | The Motorola is faster in benchmarks, indicating smoother overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 720 | Different GPUs; the Motorola’s provides better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 2.00µm | The Motorola captures more detailed images and has better low-light performance with a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80µm | Not Available | The Samsung offers better zoom capabilities through a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 0.64µm | The Motorola captures more detailed selfies with a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Available | 10MP, f/2.0, 1.00µm | The Motorola provides zoom capabilities with a dedicated lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Motorola captures wide perspective photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | Not Available | The Samsung provides Macro capabilities to capture very close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The Samsung offers higher resolution video recording. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 111 | Not Tested | Only Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a DXOMark mobile score, while Motorola Edge 50 Pro has not been tested. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 132 | Not Tested | Only Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a DXOMark selfie score, while Motorola Edge 50 Pro has not been tested. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | The Motorola provides longer battery life for all-day usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | The Motorola charges significantly faster, saving time. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | The Motorola charges wirelessly faster. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 4.5W | 10W | The Motorola can wirelessly charge other devices faster. |
| Charger in-box | No | Yes | Motorola includes a charger in-box. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry, especially for users with smaller hands.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher-resolution video capture for professional-grade content creation.
- Dedicated Telephoto Camera: Provides superior optical zoom for detailed photos at a distance.
- Wide Angle + Macro Camera: Captures ultra-close-up details.
- DXOMark Scores: Evaluated by DXOMark for mobile and selfie camera quality.
- Barometer Sensor: Provides environmental data.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Advantages:
- Larger, Brighter Display: Provides more immersive viewing and better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Processor: Offers better overall performance and smoother gaming.
- Higher Battery Capacity: Longer battery life for extended use without frequent charging.
- Much Faster Charging: Quickly replenishes the battery with 125W fast charging and 50W Wireless charging.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Captures detailed selfies and video.
- Wide Angle Camera: Captures wide perspective photos.
- Telephoto Lens: Provides zoom capabilities.
- Newer OS: Comes with a more recent version of Android and expected software support.
- Expandable Storage Options: Available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1024GB Storage options.
- Better WiFi Standards: Support WiFi 7, for faster speeds.
- More RAM: Available in 12GB and 16GB configurations.
- eSIM support: Allows digital carrier switching.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a more compact form factor and better telephoto/macro capabilities, but at the expense of battery life and charging speed.
- The Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers a bigger and better screen, faster charging and better overall performance but is larger and heavier. It also trades the 8K video recording of the S21 for faster charging and better main camera quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prefer a compact and lightweight phone.
- Users who value high-resolution video recording and need a dedicated telephoto/macro camera.
- Users who don't need the absolute best battery life and don't mind charging more often.
Use Cases:
- Everyday carry for ease of use and portability.
- Capturing high-quality video for personal or professional use.
- Taking detailed zoom shots or macro photography.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who want a large, immersive display and brighter outdoor visibility.
- Users who need long battery life and faster charging.
- Users who value overall performance and smooth gaming.
- Users who want the latest android features.
Use Cases:
- Gaming and multimedia consumption.
- All-day use without frequent charging.
- Outdoor use in bright environments.
- High Quality Selfies.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers a better value for users seeking a modern smartphone with its superior performance, display, battery, and charging speeds.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G may appeal more to those who want a smaller, lighter phone with more advanced video recording capabilities but at the expense of performance, battery, and charging. The availability of the S21 is going to be a factor as it's an older device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: portability or screen size/battery life? If you prefer a compact, lightweight device, the Samsung S21 is better. If you want a larger screen and better battery life, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a better fit.
- How important are high-resolution video recording and optical zoom? If these are critical, the Samsung S21 has an advantage. If you value better main camera quality and selfies, the Motorola is better.
- How much do you value newer features and performance? The Motorola Edge 50 Pro has a more recent processor and newer software.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Content Creator (Video): Choose the Samsung S21 for its 8K video recording and zoom capabilities.
- Power User (Gaming/Multitasking): Choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for its superior performance, RAM and larger battery.
- Everyday User (Balanced): Choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for its larger display, faster charging, and overall newer features.
- Budget-Conscious User: The Samsung Galaxy S21 may be available for cheaper than the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, so this might be a factor in the decision.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. Here's why:
- Modernity and Performance: The Edge 50 Pro offers newer tech, a faster chipset, and better RAM options, resulting in a snappier and smoother experience, which is my priority for everyday usage.
- Superior Display and Battery: The larger, brighter display of the Motorola, paired with a higher refresh rate and significantly improved battery life, makes it much better for media consumption and longer usage.
- Faster Charging: The 125W fast charging is a game-changer, as it significantly reduces downtime spent charging the phone. It is significantly superior to the S21 25W charging.
- Better Overall Camera Performance: Even though the S21 has better zoom and macro capabilities, the Motorola’s main camera is better, alongside better selfies and its wide angle lens, makes it more versatile for daily shots.
- Value for Money: The Motorola offers a greater price-to-value ratio than the Samsung S21.
While the Samsung S21 has its merits, particularly in the video department, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro provides a more complete and modern smartphone experience for my needs, making it the better option.
