1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 152.9 × 71.2 × 7.8 mm | S21+ is larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use; Edge 30 Neo is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 200g | 155g | Edge 30 Neo is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ offers superior screen scratch and shatter resistance. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.28" | S21+ offers a larger screen for immersive media consumption and multitasking; Edge 30 Neo is more comfortable for one-handed operation |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp and clear visuals. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 419 | Edge 30 Neo has slightly sharper text and images, but the difference is minimal to most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ offers significantly better visibility in bright sunlight due to higher brightness. The 0 nits for the Edge 30 Neo is likely an error, as it would be unusable, and should be verified with other sources. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | S21+ provides significantly faster processing speed, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 425,200 | S21+ performs much better in benchmarks, indicating faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 619 | S21+ has a more powerful GPU for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor, 1.8µm pixels | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/2" sensor, 0.7µm pixels | Edge 30 Neo captures more detail with higher resolution; S21+ might have better low-light performance due to larger pixels and sensor. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0 | None | S21+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed-in photos and better portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor, 1.22µm pixels | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.7µm pixels | Edge 30 Neo captures more detail with higher resolution; S21+ might perform better in low light due to a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.4µm pixels | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | Similar performance, but the S21+ has a slightly larger sensor and pixel size. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@120fps | S21+ records much higher resolution video, suitable for professional use. |
| DXOMARK Score | Overall: 111 (Photo: 118, Video: 89) | Not Tested | S21+ has a higher camera quality as scored by DXOMARK. |
| Features | 8K Video, Optical Zoom, Triple Camera, RAW, Night Mode | Laser Autofocus, Dual Camera | S21+ offers more versatile camera features like optical zoom and RAW capture while the Edge 30 Neo offers faster laser autofocus. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4020mAh | S21+ offers a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging, 5W Wireless Charging | Edge 30 Neo charges much faster and offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging, 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging | 5W Wireless Charging | S21+ has faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, enabling it to charge other devices wirelessly. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks like gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Better Display Brightness: The 1300 nits brightness provides much better outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens, 8K video recording, and advanced features like RAW capture and Night Mode.
- Larger Battery: Offers a larger 4800 mAh battery, likely resulting in longer battery life.
- Wider range of wireless charging features: Faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Better Audio features: Offers Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, while the Edge 30 Neo only offers two microphones.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact Design: More comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around.
- Faster Charging: The 68W fast charging is significantly faster than the S21+'s 25W.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient 5W wireless charging.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Has the newer Bluetooth 5.1 version, while the Samsung uses the 5.0 version.
- Newer OS: It ships with Android 12 and the S21+ ships with Android 11
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21+: Sacrifices portability and charging speed for superior performance and camera capabilities.
- Edge 30 Neo: Trades off performance and camera versatility for a more compact design, faster charging, and a newer OS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a versatile camera system with a telephoto lens and 8K video recording.
- Users who require good display visibility: Those who frequently use their phone outdoors under bright sunlight.
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 30 Neo:
- Everyday Users: Individuals who prioritize a lightweight and comfortable phone for daily tasks.
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Those who need their phone to charge quickly and those who like the convenience of wireless charging.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a well-rounded phone with good features at a more accessible price point (check current pricing).
Specific Use Cases:
- S21+: Mobile gaming, professional photography, outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Edge 30 Neo: Casual gaming, everyday social media browsing, users who prefer smaller, lighter devices.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for your daily use? (Gaming, video editing vs. social media, web browsing)
- Do you prefer a smaller, lighter phone or a larger display? (Portability vs. immersive viewing experience)
- How important is rapid charging speed and wireless charging? (Convenience vs. potentially longer battery life on the other phone)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a gamer who also takes a lot of outdoor pictures. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Its powerful processor, brighter display and better camera system will be beneficial.
- Scenario 2: You primarily browse social media, watch videos, and want a light and easy-to-handle phone, and you want the newest OS version: Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Neo. Its compact size, fast charging, and newer OS will suit your needs.
- Scenario 3: You need a phone for professional-quality video recording. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is more suitable with 8K video.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, despite being an older model. My primary reasons are the superior performance and the higher display brightness that would be more beneficial for my typical usage as a power user who frequently uses their phone outdoors. While the Motorola Edge 30 Neo's lighter design and faster charging are attractive, the performance difference is significant enough for me to prefer the S21+. The better camera quality, especially the Telephoto lens and 8K video recording, also align better with my needs. I also prefer the better audio features provided by the S21+. Although I would have liked the convenience of wireless charging and faster charging on the Edge 30 Neo, the S21+ offers that, too, and it's reverse wireless charging is a bonus I'd love to have.
