1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | Motorola is slightly taller and thicker, potentially less pocketable. |
| Weight | 200g | 196g | Negligible difference in weight. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen sizes; no difference in viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness; no difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 393 | Practically identical pixel density, so the perceived sharpness is the same. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola has smoother animations and scrolling, particularly beneficial in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Samsung offers significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. (Note: the 0 nits spec for Motorola is likely an error) |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola has a more modern, powerful chipset resulting in faster app loading and better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,061,400 | Motorola provides notably faster processing and graphics performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Motorola's GPU is more powerful for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | Motorola captures more detailed images and has slightly better low-light performance due to the larger sensor and resolution. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | N/A | Samsung offers optical zoom capabilities; Motorola does not. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Motorola's selfie cam offers higher resolution with a slightly larger sensor, potentially better selfies. |
| Portrait (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Motorola has a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | Motorola's wide-angle offers higher resolution; Samsung has a slightly larger sensor for better low light. |
| Video | Up to 8K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer high-quality video recording, but Samsung can record in 8K at 60fps |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 111 Photo: 118 Video: 89 | Mobile: 101 Photo: 107 Video: 102 | Samsung performs better in photo quality, Motorola has better video quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4800mAh | Both offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 68W fast charging | Motorola charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | 15W wireless, 5W reverse | Both offer wireless charging. Samsung can wirelessly charge other devices with a slightly lower reverse wireless charging power. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits significantly improves outdoor visibility.
- Optical Zoom: Dedicated telephoto lens for high-quality zoom capabilities.
- Better Photo Score: Superior performance in photo tests according to DXOMark
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexibility with carrier options.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Offers additional environmental sensors for advanced features.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: More powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset for better speed and responsiveness.
- Faster Charging: 68W charging significantly reduces battery recharge time.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate for smoother animations.
- Better Video Score: Superior video performance according to DXOMark.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: Offers higher resolution for both the front and main cameras which means more detailed images.
- More RAM Option: Available with a 12GB RAM option for improved multitasking.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung: Loses out on processing speed and charging speed.
- Motorola: Lacks telephoto lens and has a slightly inferior display brightness compared to Samsung in outdoor scenarios.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Users who often use their phone outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Users who prioritize optical zoom and photo quality.
- Users who prefer a comprehensive sensor suite for advanced features.
- Users who need eSIM support for travel or digital carrier switching.
- Users who want a better photo quality
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Ideal User:
- Gamers who prioritize smooth performance and high refresh rates.
- Users who need rapid battery charging.
- Users who often record videos and prioritize video quality.
- Users who prioritize performance for heavy multitasking.
- Users who prioritize higher-resolution camera for selfies and main camera images.
Use Cases:
- Samsung: Outdoor photography, travel, professional photography on the go, users who take advantage of more complex sensor-based features.
- Motorola: Mobile gaming, video content creation, users who need very fast charging, multitaskers who need the extra RAM.
Price-to-Value: The Motorola Edge 30 Pro generally offers better raw performance and charging speed for its price. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G comes with trade offs with a focus on display brightness, telephoto lens and a better photo quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you need excellent outdoor visibility? (If yes, Samsung has the advantage due to better display brightness)
- Is rapid charging a must for you? (If yes, Motorola's 68W charging is superior)
- Do you need optical zoom or prefer higher-resolution images? (Samsung offers better optical zoom, while Motorola provides higher resolution images)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you're a gamer who values speed, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the better choice due to its superior processor, graphics, and refresh rate.
- Scenario 2: If you spend a lot of time taking photos outdoors and require high visibility, especially under the sun, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is better.
- Scenario 3: If you need a mix of speed and good photo quality, and want faster charging, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers a better balance of performance, battery, and video quality.
- Scenario 4: If you prefer better photo quality and a telephoto lens for zoom capabilities the Samsung S21+ 5G is the better option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a significant upgrade over the Exynos 2100, providing a smoother and more responsive experience for daily use and gaming.
- Charging Speed: 68W charging is a game-changer, especially for someone who often needs to top up their battery quickly.
- Better Video Quality: I often record video and the Motorola's higher video score is a plus.
- Higher resolution cameras: Although Samsung has a telephoto lens, the higher resolution of Motorola's camera sensors gives more flexibility in post processing.
While the Samsung's brighter display and telephoto lens are attractive, the Motorola's overall performance, video quality and charging speed are more important to my personal use case. The Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers a more modern experience and fits my needs for performance and battery efficiency.
