1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163 × 76 × 8 mm | Motorola is slightly taller and thicker, but may not be noticeably different. |
| Weight | 200g | 190g | Motorola is 10g lighter, which may feel slightly more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both screens have the same clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 385 | Similar pixel densities; almost no discernible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola has smoother animations and scrolling, beneficial for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Samsung's display is much brighter and more visible in direct sunlight. Motorola's brightness is not specified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 870 has slightly higher performance; differences may only be noticeable during heavy usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 813,800 | Motorola has marginally better benchmark performance, but real-world difference may be minimal. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 650 | Both offer great graphics performance for gaming, but with different architectures. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | Motorola captures more detail with 108MP, Samsung may perform better in low light due to larger pixel size on paper. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | N/A | Samsung has dedicated telephoto for optical zoom; Motorola lacks this. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/3.4 | Motorola has a telephoto lens, missing on Samsung. |
| Ultra-Wide | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 16MP, f/2.2 | Motorola has a slightly higher resolution, but both perform similarly in wide-angle shots. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.3, 0.7µm | Motorola has higher resolution front camera for more detail in selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both record up to 8K video, but Samsung has more advanced EIS and Audio. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 | N/A | Samsung has a tested camera with a good overall score. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode | Basic features | Samsung includes more advanced camera features such as OIS for better stability and a dedicated night mode for low-light performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4500mAh | Samsung has a slightly larger battery for potentially longer usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Motorola charges slightly faster than Samsung. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse Charging | Reverse Charging | Samsung offers more features including wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 15) | Android 11 | Samsung has a better update guarantee (up to Android 15), Motorola doesn't specify an update roadmap. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both are modern, but Motorola has Wi-Fi MiMO for potentially faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Motorola has newer Bluetooth with potentially better power efficiency and reliability. |
| GPS | Full suite | Full suite + more | Motorola has slightly better GPS support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Samsung supports eSIM for greater flexibility with carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer same storage options, non expandable. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | Motorola has more RAM for smoother multitasking and running demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | Samsung has superior audio with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Security | In-display Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Motorola provides faster and more reliable fingerprint scanning. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung's Victus offers superior drop and scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Basic suite | Samsung provides more advanced sensors for additional features and apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Brighter Display: The 1300 nits display offers excellent visibility in bright sunlight, making it more practical for outdoor use.
- Superior Audio: Features like Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, and stereo speakers provide a richer audio experience for music, videos, and gaming.
- Advanced Camera Features: Includes OIS, PDAF, RAW capture, and Night Mode for better image quality, especially in low light and when using zoom.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which are handy features for many users.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus provides more robust protection against drops and scratches.
- More Software Updates: Guaranteed updates up to Android 15, which offers long term value and security.
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexibility with cellular carriers.
- More Sensors: Includes advanced sensors such as Barometer, Hall, and Geomagnetic sensors.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Advantages:
- Slightly Better Performance: Snapdragon 870 scores higher in benchmarks, resulting in better performance when multitasking and gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate delivers smoother animations and a more responsive user experience.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging is marginally quicker than Samsung's 25W.
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and demanding apps.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main camera for very detailed photos in ideal light conditions.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 for better power efficiency and reliability.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens which is not present on the Samsung.
- More GPS support: Offers better and more accurate GPS support.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung sacrifices raw camera resolution for better overall camera quality and more features while Motorola uses a higher MP count but may lag in overall processing.
- Samsung has a slightly better battery and more wireless charging options, Motorola focuses on more raw performance and faster wired charging.
- Samsung has a better display in bright sunlight, Motorola has better scrolling due to the higher refresh rate.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, listen to music, and want a high-quality audio and visual experience.
- Outdoor Users: Those who often use their phone in bright sunlight, relying on a high-brightness display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value overall camera quality, including features like OIS, RAW capture, and low-light performance.
- Power Users: Users who appreciate the wireless charging capabilities and other premium features.
- Users who want long-term software support: Guaranteed updates up to Android 15.
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Gamers: Users who prioritize smooth animations and performance, benefiting from the higher refresh rate and slightly more powerful chipset.
- Multitaskers: Users who run multiple apps simultaneously and want a smooth and lag-free experience, making the most out of the additional 4GB of RAM.
- Photography lovers: Users who want to capture high detail pictures in ideal light conditions.
- Users looking for fast wired charging: Users who prefer faster wired charging over wireless convenience.
Use Cases:
- Samsung: Perfect for streaming videos, taking photos and videos, working on the go, and extended use outdoors.
- Motorola: Better for intensive gaming, browsing social media with smooth scrolling, capturing a lot of detailed photos, and general productivity for those who are on the go often.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display visibility in bright sunlight? If you often use your phone outdoors, the Samsung is the clear winner.
- How important is overall camera quality over resolution? If features like OIS and night mode are critical, the Samsung is better. However, if you are aiming for a high level of detail in your pictures, especially in ideal light, the Motorola is superior.
- Which is more important: wireless charging or faster wired charging? If wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are highly valued, Samsung is the better choice. If fast charging is the only concern, the Motorola would be better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast: If you frequently use your phone outdoors, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its brighter screen and better low-light camera performance.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: If gaming and performance are your primary concerns, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is better due to its smoother display and slightly more powerful chipset.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Lover: If you watch a lot of videos, listen to music, and use your phone for media consumption the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers superior audio and display experience.
- Scenario 4: Photography Lover: If you love capturing detailed pictures in ideal light choose the Motorola Edge 20 Pro, however if you are looking for an all-around well balanced camera choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
My Choice and Why
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Motorola Edge 20 Pro has a slightly better refresh rate and processing power, and the advantage of more RAM, the Samsung's superior display brightness, significantly better audio, wireless charging capabilities, superior camera features, better screen protection, longer software support and eSIM support make it a better all-around device for my needs. I also value the additional sensors included in the Samsung phone. I tend to use my phone a lot outdoors and for media consumption, making the Samsung's brighter display and superior audio a more compelling proposition. The better low-light camera performance and more robust software support is also something that I value. While the higher refresh rate of the Motorola is attractive, the benefits of the S21+ seem more beneficial for the long term and cover a wide range of use cases.
