1. Specifications Comparison
Design & Build
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-09-22 | Motorola Edge (2022) is a newer device, potentially with longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 160.9 × 74.2 × 8 mm | S21+ is slightly wider; Edge (2022) slightly thicker. The difference is minor but may impact ergonomics. |
| Weight | 200g | 170g | Motorola Edge (2022) is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build Protection (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | S21+ has significantly better scratch and drop resistance, enhancing durability. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | S21+ has slightly larger screen, may provide a more immersive experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have the same sharpness; clarity for reading, video and images will be similar. |
| PPI | 394 | 399 | Both have similar pixel density, perceived sharpness is nearly identical. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar display technologies, offering excellent color and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge (2022) offers smoother scrolling and animations, but most users might not perceive a significant difference in daily usage. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Data missing) | S21+ has higher peak brightness, providing significantly better outdoor visibility. Lack of data for Motorola Edge (2022) is a major drawback. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | S21+ is expected to perform better in demanding tasks with higher benchmark scores. Motorola's may be more power efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 522,375 | S21+ is significantly faster, resulting in smoother multitasking, gaming, and app loading. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | S21+ should have better graphics performance, beneficial for gamers and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm (Sony IMX555) | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm (Omnivision OV50A) | Edge (2022) offers higher resolution images, S21+ has larger pixel size for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm (Samsung Bright S5KGW2) | Not available | S21+ has dedicated telephoto for zoom and portrait shots, offering more versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm (Sony IMX374) | 32MP, f/2.45, 0.7µm | Edge (2022) has higher-resolution selfies, but S21+ has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not available | 13MP, f/1.5, 1.12µm | Edge (2022) offers wide-angle shots, providing greater scene capture in one photo. |
| Macro Lens | Not available | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2.83", 0.9µm (Omnivision OV24B1Q) | Edge (2022) has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm (Sony IMX563) | Not available | S21+ offers a hybrid wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps, comprehensive stabilization, slow-motion up to 960fps. | Up to 4K@30fps, standard stabilization, slow-motion up to 120fps. | S21+ is capable of higher-resolution and higher frame rate video recording and higher slo-mo frame rate, offering better results for professional video content. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Not Available | S21+ has a benchmarked camera quality score, providing an objective evaluation. Motorola Edge has no publicly released score for comparison. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical Zoom, OIS, RAW, Night Mode etc. | OIS, HDR, Scene mode etc. | S21+ has additional features for photography, including optical zoom, RAW capture, and a dedicated Night Mode for better low-light results. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola Edge (2022) has a slightly larger battery for potentially longer usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Motorola Edge (2022) charges slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, No Charge in Box | 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse charging | Both have wireless and reverse charging. S21+ has a minor reverse wireless charging advantage. Missing Charger for S21+ is a significant drawback. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Motorola ships with a newer android version out-of-box, but the S21+ has a significantly longer lifespan. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), dual-band, etc. | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), dual-band, etc. | Both phones have similar WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE, A2DP, AptX, etc. | Bluetooth 5.2 LE, A2DP. | Motorola has a newer Bluetooth version with slightly better efficiency, but S21+ supports more codecs, and might be more versatile for a range of audio devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | S21+ has more advanced GPS features, potentially offering greater location precision. Motorola Edge (2022) supports SUPL. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both support dual-SIM, with eSIM functionality. |
Storage, Audio & Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options, enough for most users. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB/8GB | 8GB RAM variant of both phones will be similar for multitasking; 6GB RAM of Edge might struggle for heavier use cases. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD expansion, limiting storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both have decent audio features. S21+ provides Hi-Res audio while Motorola has an additional microphone. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both have basic fingerprint security for quick and secure unlocking. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer; Environmental: Barometer | Both have a comprehensive sensor set for various functionalities, S21+ has Hall and Geomagnetic sensors, and the Edge has a Magnetometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages
- Superior Performance: Significantly higher AnTuTu score and a more powerful GPU, leading to smoother and faster overall performance.
- Better Display Brightness: 1300 nits brightness, which should be considerably better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Advanced Camera System: Dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom, 8K video recording, more comprehensive video features, better low light camera capabilities, and tested DxOMark rating.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior protection compared to Gorilla Glass 3.
- More Software Lifespan: With upgrade to Android 15.
- More GPS Accuracy: Advanced GPS with GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a).
- Better Audio Features: Offers Hi-Res audio for better playback.
- Wider Bluetooth Capabilities: More codecs and profiles are supported via Bluetooth.
Motorola Edge (2022) Advantages
- Newer Device: Launched later in 2022, which may mean better software support, though the S21+ will receive a significantly higher Android version upgrade.
- Lighter Weight: 30g lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Higher Display Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals, although it may not be a huge difference for most users.
- Slightly Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Marginal battery capacity advantage and 30W fast charging.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 50MP main camera.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro Lens: Provides added flexibility for different photo capturing scenarios.
- 3 Microphones: Potentially improved audio recording capabilities.
Significant Trade-offs
- S21+ Trade-offs: Older device, heavier, slightly smaller battery, missing charger in box.
- Motorola Edge (2022) Trade-offs: Significantly lower performance, no Telephoto Camera, unknown outdoor brightness and no DxOMark score, fewer software updates, basic GPS functionality, fewer Bluetooth capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users
- Power Users: People who need the best possible performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who need versatile camera options, higher resolution video recording, optical zoom capabilities, and reliable low-light performance.
- Outdoor Users: Those who require a bright display for comfortable use in sunny conditions.
- Long-Term Users: People who want a phone with a longer software support lifespan.
Hi-Res Audio Lovers: Users who require the best audio quality.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with demanding titles.
- Professional video recording and editing.
- Outdoor photography and navigation.
- Long-term software usage and access to the latest features for longer.
Motorola Edge (2022) Ideal Users
- Casual Users: People who prioritize a comfortable, lightweight device with a smooth screen.
- Everyday Photographers: Users who want a versatile camera system with macro and wide-angle lenses but don't need advanced telephoto.
- Battery Conscious Users: Those who prioritize slightly better battery life and faster charging speed.
Users who require better audio recording capabilities : The 3 microphones might be advantageous for video or general calls
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing and media consumption.
- Casual photography, capturing wide landscapes or detailed close-up shots.
- Users who need an all arounder with acceptable specs and comfort as priority.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Offers premium performance, camera versatility, and long software support that may justify a higher price. However, the missing charger in the box is a drawback.
- Motorola Edge (2022): A more budget friendly all around phone, offering a newer design, higher refresh rate, and lighter weight, but at the expense of overall performance and some camera features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Performance or Portability?: Do you need top-tier performance and graphics capabilities, or do you prioritize a lighter and more comfortable phone?
- Camera Versatility or Specific Features?: Do you need a versatile telephoto lens and professional video capabilities, or will a higher-resolution main camera and wide-angle/macro lenses suffice?
- Long-Term Software Updates or Out-of-the-Box Newness?: Do you prioritize a phone with a longer software lifespan or are you ok with fewer updates but getting a newer device?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: High-End Performance & Camera: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Its significantly better performance, brighter display, and superior camera system, especially its telephoto lens and 8K video recording capabilities, make it a clear winner for power users and photography enthusiasts.
- Scenario 2: Comfortable Everyday User: Choose the Motorola Edge (2022). Its lighter weight, slightly faster charging, and versatile camera lenses make it suitable for casual users who don't require high-end performance.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Buyer: The Motorola Edge (2022) offers more bang for your buck. It sacrifices some performance and features compared to the S21+ but is sufficient for most users.
My Choice
Given the provided information, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Here's why:
While the Motorola Edge (2022) has its merits—like being lighter, newer, and having a 144Hz refresh rate—the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers significant advantages in areas that are more critical for my needs:
- Performance: The S21+ has a significantly higher AnTuTu score (749,100 vs 522,375) and a better GPU, indicating smoother performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking, which are key activities for me.
- Camera Versatility: The dedicated telephoto lens on the S21+ is crucial, and its 8K video capabilities and better DxOMark score are important for quality, versatile content creation.
- Display Brightness: The dramatically better display brightness on the S21+ is a must for visibility outdoors under bright sunlight.
- Longevity: The phone's ability to update to Android 15 is also a huge plus for software longevity.
- Better Audio Playback: The Hi-Res audio is important for my use case.
Although the Motorola has some advantages in battery and charging, they are not enough to outweigh the overall superior performance, camera capabilities, better display, and software lifespan of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. The lack of brightness information on the Motorola is a big red flag, and the missing charger of the S21+ is easily overcome.
My priority is to have a phone that can handle demanding tasks while also providing a good camera experience. Therefore, the S21+ is the more logical choice for me.
