Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Motorola Edge 20
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163 × 76 × 7 mm | Motorola Edge 20 is slightly taller and thinner; S21+ has a larger overall volume. Impact on comfort: slightly different hand feel. |
| Weight | 200g | 163g | Motorola Edge 20 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have identical screen sizes, offering similar screen real estate |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Similar sharpness; neither will be significantly sharper than the other in normal usage. |
| PPI | 394 | 385 | Virtually indistinguishable pixel density, so both displays will appear similarly sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use high-quality, vibrant display tech with good contrast and colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 20 offers slightly smoother animations, useful for gaming and fast scrolling, but not dramatically different. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Samsung S21+ will be much more readable in bright sunlight; Motorola's spec is missing but likely lower. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Exynos 2100 offers better performance for demanding tasks; Snapdragon 778G is efficient and good for everyday use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 589,200 | Samsung S21+ is noticeably faster in synthetic benchmarks, which translates to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 642L | The Mali GPU on the S21+ offers better graphics performance in gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.80µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", Samsung S5KHM2, 0.70µm | Motorola has higher megapixel count but the S21+ has bigger pixels and a wider aperture, generally meaning better low light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung S5KGW2, 0.80µm | Not present | Samsung offers a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom and portrait shots; Motorola lacks this. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374, 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.3, 0.70µm | Motorola offers higher resolution for selfies, S21+ has wider aperture; Low light performance of the S21+ may be better. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not present | 8MP, f/2.4 | Motorola includes a telephoto lens for zoom capabilities; S21+ lacks this dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.40µm | 16MP, f/2.2 | Motorola has a slightly higher resolution wide-angle camera |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound, Slow-motion 960fps | 4K@30fps, EIS, Slow-motion 960fps | Samsung offers higher video resolution (8K) and more robust video features such as stereo sound and HDR at 4k 60fps. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Not tested | Samsung S21+ has a tested camera score from DxOMark; Motorola score is not available. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, OIS, Continuous autofocus, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Optical zoom | Samsung offers advanced camera features not found on Motorola, such as OIS, RAW, Night Mode; Motorola's spec seems to indicate a hybrid zoom. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4020mAh | Samsung S21+ offers larger battery capacity, which likely translates to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Motorola Edge 20 can charge faster from 0-100; S21+ offers wireless charging which can be more convenient. |
| Battery Features | 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging, no charge in-box | Reverse charging, | S21+ provides wireless charging and reverse wireless charging; Motorola Edge 20 only offers wired charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, max version 15 | Android 11, max version 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21+ gets 3 more years of OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MIMO | Similar WiFi with Motorola offering MIMO support |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, etc. | 5.2 LE, A2DP, LDAC, AAC | Motorola has a newer Bluetooth version and supports LDAC and AAC for high-quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Samsung offers more advanced GPS with better location accuracy in challenging areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Samsung has eSIM support for more flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both offer the same internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Both phones have an 8 GB option, which is the better option for multi-tasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Samsung Galaxy S21+ provides a much richer audio experience with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Motorola's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more accessible and faster than the basic one. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Samsung's screen has significantly better scratch and damage resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung has additional sensors like Barometer for environmental data and Hall / Geomagnetic for better sensor accuracy. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides notably higher performance and benchmark scores, which translates to smoother operation, faster app loading, and better gaming experiences.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits display brightness allows for much better visibility in bright sunlight, a crucial advantage for outdoor use.
- Better Camera System: While it has lower megapixel counts on its main sensor, it offers a dedicated telephoto camera, OIS, superior low-light performance, and 8K video recording, resulting in a more versatile and high-quality camera experience.
- Wireless Charging: The inclusion of wireless and reverse wireless charging adds convenience and can be a key differentiator for some users.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers deliver a superior audio experience compared to the Motorola Edge 20.
- Better Build and Display Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers a significant upgrade in terms of scratch and impact resistance.
- eSIM Support: More flexible with carrier switching and use of two active numbers.
- More Software Support: 3 more years of OS updates
Motorola Edge 20 Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Weighing 163g, it's significantly lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (200g), making it more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
- Faster Charging: The 30W fast charging can recharge the phone quicker.
- Slightly Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate provides a marginally smoother visual experience, noticeable in scrolling and gaming.
- Better Bluetooth version: Newer Bluetooth version, supports better audio codecs like LDAC and AAC.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: More ergonomic and faster than the basic sensor on the S21+
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola Edge 20: Sacrifices screen brightness, raw processing power, camera features and quality (OIS, Night Mode), and audio quality in favor of a lighter design and faster charging.
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: It's heavier, and the charger isn't included in the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Power Users: Individuals who need high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-quality photos, versatile zoom capabilities, 8K video, and low-light performance.
- Outdoor Users: People who spend a lot of time outside and need a display that's readable in bright sunlight.
- Audiophiles: Users who want a high-quality audio experience with immersive sound and clear calls.
- Users desiring wireless charging
- Users who want long term software support: 3 more years of software updates.
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 20:
- Users Prioritizing Comfort: Those who prefer a lightweight phone that is easy to carry and use for long periods.
- Value-Conscious Buyers: Users who want a capable phone at a slightly lower price (assuming pricing is in favor of the Motorola).
- Casual Photographers: People who take photos occasionally but don't require the highest possible image quality or advanced zoom features.
- Users who need fast charging: The faster charging will likely appeal to those always on the move.
- Users wanting a more ergonomic fingerprint reader.
Specific Use Cases:
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Professional content creation using 8K video.
- Gaming and running demanding applications.
- Outdoor photography in bright daylight.
- Enjoying high-quality audio while traveling or at home.
- Using wireless charging for convenience.
Motorola Edge 20:
- Daily social media use and casual browsing.
- Quickly charging the phone before a commute.
- Comfortable one-handed use due to its light weight.
- Listening to music or videos with better audio codecs and support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Priority: Do you need the most powerful processor available for heavy usage and gaming, or is a mid-range processor adequate for your needs?
- Camera Importance: How important are high-quality zoom, low-light performance, 8K video, and image stabilization?
- Display Requirements: Will you be using the phone a lot outdoors, requiring high brightness? Is a slightly smoother 144Hz refresh rate important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance & Camera Lover: If you are a gamer or love taking pictures, prioritize the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its higher performance and superior camera.
- Scenario 2: Lightweight Comfort & Basic Use: If comfort and basic functionality are key, the Motorola Edge 20 with its lighter weight and fast charging is a solid choice.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Approach: If you are looking for a well-rounded phone, consider the S21+ 5G for its overall better screen and capabilities.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Motorola Edge 20 has its merits with its lighter weight and faster charging, the S21+ offers a significantly better overall experience in the areas that matter most to me. The superior processing power of the Exynos 2100 will ensure smooth operation for years to come, while the brighter display makes outdoor visibility a non-issue. The advanced camera system with OIS, night mode, and better zoom capability are more aligned with my photography needs, plus the better video and audio experience are a big advantage. Although it is heavier and it doesn't come with the charger in the box, the superior build, more advanced features, and better screen more than make up for its shortcomings. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G provides a more complete and premium experience.
