1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the Motorola Edge 40 Pro, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-04-04 | Motorola is significantly newer, with potential for longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm | Similar height, S21+ is wider, Edge 40 Pro is thicker; Edge 40 Pro has a slightly larger volume. |
| Weight | 200g | 199g | Virtually identical feel in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Nearly identical screen size; difference is negligible in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness. |
| PPI | 394 | 394 | Identical pixel density; no noticeable difference in clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality; both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Edge 40 Pro provides smoother scrolling, gaming, and overall responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1100 nits | S21+ offers better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Edge 40 Pro's chip is significantly faster, offering better app performance, multitasking, and gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,532,500 | Edge 40 Pro provides substantially faster performance in all areas. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | Edge 40 Pro's GPU is more powerful, especially for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 4600 mAh | S21+ has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life in some usage cases. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 125W fast charging | Edge 40 Pro charges much faster, getting you back to full power in a fraction of the time. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, no in-box charger | 15W wireless, 5W reverse wired | Both offer wireless and reverse charging. S21+ has reverse wireless; Edge 40 Pro has faster charging and reverse wired. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Edge 40 Pro captures more detail and offers more flexibility in cropping. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.55" | Edge 40 Pro can potentially perform slightly better in low light. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Model | Sony IMX555 | Omnivision OV50A | Different sensors, each with their own characteristics, but the Edge 40 Pro has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 60MP | Edge 40 Pro captures much more detail in selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/2.8" | Edge 40 Pro can potentially perform slightly better in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP | None | S21+ offers dedicated telephoto for portrait and zoom shots. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP | Edge 40 Pro includes a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP | Edge 40 Pro includes a dedicated ultrawide angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | None | S21+ offers ultrawide with macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Very similar recording capabilities, both suitable for high quality video. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 130 | Edge 40 Pro has a significantly higher score, indicating better overall camera performance. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, HDR, Night Mode, etc. | Time-Lapse, Dual Capture, OIS, PDAF, HDR, Night Mode, etc. | Both have extensive features; Edge 40 Pro adds Time-Lapse and Dual Capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Edge 40 Pro has a more recent OS out of the box. |
| Max Version | Android 15 | Android 16 | Edge 40 Pro has one more year of software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Edge 40 Pro supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Edge 40 Pro has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | S21+ offers slightly more comprehensive location support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both support dual SIM; both support eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Edge 40 Pro offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | Edge 40 Pro has more RAM, enabling better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support SD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 4 mics | Both offer good audio; S21+ has hi-res audio, better mic; Edge 40 Pro has more microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Similar biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Identical, robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21+ includes Barometer; Edge 40 Pro is missing a barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the key advantages of each phone:
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Brighter Display: The S21+ has a peak brightness of 1300 nits, which can provide better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Telephoto + Portrait Lens: The dedicated 64MP telephoto lens is a plus for users who like to zoom and take portraits.
- Wider Range of Bluetooth Audio Codecs: S21+ supports a wider array of Bluetooth audio codecs than the Edge 40 Pro, which might please audiophiles.
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 4800 mAh battery might provide a bit more endurance than the Motorola's 4600 mAh capacity.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: S21+ has reverse wireless charging, but it's only 4.5W.
- Barometer Sensor: Includes a barometer sensor which could be useful for some specific use cases (such as hiking and navigating with better altitude accuracy)
Motorola Edge 40 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is much more powerful than the Exynos 2100, translating to better performance in apps, multitasking, and gaming.
- Smoother Display: The 165Hz refresh rate offers a much smoother visual experience than the S21+'s 120Hz display.
- Much Faster Charging: 125W fast charging is a game-changer, allowing for much quicker battery top-ups.
- Superior Camera Performance: The Edge 40 Pro's camera, as indicated by its higher DxOMark score, offers better image quality overall, especially in video.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 60MP front camera captures far more detail compared to the S21+'s 10MP.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens & Wide Angle Lens: The inclusion of telephoto and wide-angle lenses gives more flexibility in photography.
- Newer Software and Updates: Ships with Android 13, with a longer update cycle and software support.
- More RAM: 12GB vs 8GB, which is beneficial for heavy multitasking.
- More Storage Options: 256GB or 512GB storage options as opposed to 128GB or 256GB storage options in the S21+.
- Newer Wi-Fi standard: Edge 40 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, which may result in faster speeds and better connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ offers slightly better outdoor visibility with a brighter display while the Edge 40 Pro offers a smoother display due to its 165Hz refresh rate.
- The S21+ has a telephoto + portrait lens but is missing a dedicated wide-angle lens, while the Edge 40 Pro includes both telephoto and wide angle lens.
- S21+ has reverse wireless charging, while Edge 40 Pro has reverse wired charging.
- S21+ comes with a barometer sensor, while Edge 40 Pro is missing one.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who value a brighter display: For users who frequently use their phone in direct sunlight.
- Users who like telephoto and portrait photography: For users who use zoom and portrait shots quite frequently.
- Users who use Bluetooth for music, and like to use high-quality audio codecs: For users who use high-fidelity audio output devices.
Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography and videography in bright conditions.
- Users who often listen to hi-res audio via headphones.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Users who demand the fastest performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want high-quality and versatile cameras.
- Users who value smooth experiences: Users who want the smoothest display and operation possible.
- Users who need fast charging: Users who prefer a phone that charges quickly and has good battery life.
- Users who prefer the latest software and longer support: For users who want the latest OS features and support.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and intensive app usage.
- Taking detailed and versatile photos and videos.
- Professional photographers and videographers.
- Heavy daily usage with a need for quick charging.
Price-to-Value:
Given that the Motorola Edge 40 Pro is the newer device with superior performance, camera quality and more features, it offers better value overall. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, being an older device, might be more affordable in certain markets, but it lacks many of the newer features and performance of the Motorola.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide your decision:
- How important is raw performance and future-proofing?
- If top-tier performance and future software support are crucial, the Motorola Edge 40 Pro is the better option.
- How important is a dedicated Telephoto + Portrait Lens and reverse wireless charging?
- If having a dedicated telephoto lens and reverse wireless charging are key, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G may suit your needs, but bear in mind that it will be at the expense of performance and features.
- How often do you need to use your phone in very bright conditions?
- If you need very high screen brightness for direct sunlight exposure, then the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G might be a slightly better option, but you will be sacrificing performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gaming & Heavy Usage: Choose the Motorola Edge 40 Pro due to its superior processor, RAM, and refresh rate.
- For Casual Usage & Budget-Conscious Buyers: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G could still be adequate if found at a significantly lower price, but be prepared for slower performance and older software.
- For Advanced Photography and Videography: The Motorola Edge 40 Pro has better overall camera capabilities, including a telephoto and wide angle lens, plus a higher DxOMark score.
- For Outdoor Usage with need for better visibility: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a brighter display making it potentially more visible in direct sunlight.
What I Would Choose and Why
Given the specifications and my understanding of typical user needs, I would choose the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. Here's why:
- Future-Proofing and Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and 12GB of RAM offer a significant performance advantage. This means the phone will handle demanding apps and games smoothly for a longer period. I also value the newer OS, which means more years of software support.
- Camera Versatility: The Edge 40 Pro's improved camera system, including dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses and higher DxOMark score, makes it a more versatile and capable choice for photography. The much higher resolution selfie camera is also a significant plus for me.
- Charging Speed: The 125W fast charging is a game-changer in my daily routine. This feature alone provides significant practical benefit.
- Smoother Display: The 165Hz refresh rate makes everything feel more fluid and responsive.
- Newer Wi-Fi standard: I would prefer to have access to the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster and more efficient connections.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a slightly brighter display, a telephoto + portrait lens, a slightly larger battery, and reverse wireless charging, the improvements offered by the Motorola Edge 40 Pro are significantly more valuable to me, such as the much faster charging, significantly superior performance, significantly improved camera, and newer software.
