1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-05-15 | Motorola is much newer, likely with longer software support |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.9 mm | S21+ is slightly wider, Edge 50 Fusion is a bit taller; both are similarly sized overall |
| Weight | 200g | 174.9g | Edge 50 Fusion is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have large screens ideal for media consumption and gaming |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp, detailed images |
| PPI | 394 | 393 | Practically identical display sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Similar quality, vibrant colors, and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | Edge 50 Fusion is much brighter, offering better outdoor visibility under sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Snapdragon is more power efficient, slightly better raw performance |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 776,541 | Very similar overall performance levels, both are capable of demanding tasks |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 710 | Different GPU configurations, with the Snapdragon’s Adreno generally offering better gaming performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Edge 50 Fusion has a slightly larger battery, potentially longer runtime on a single charge |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 68W fast charging | Edge 50 Fusion charges much faster, convenient for quick top-ups |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | Reverse charging | S21+ has wireless charging and reverse wireless charging; Edge 50 Fusion lacks wireless charging |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | Edge 50 Fusion captures higher detail photos and performs better in low light |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait shots |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/3.14" | Edge 50 Fusion has a higher resolution selfie camera, while S21+ performs slightly better in low light |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3" | S21+ has larger sensor for better low light wide angle photos, but Edge has slightly higher resolution |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ records higher resolution videos, Edge 50 Fusion supports time-lapse |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 111 | N/A | S21+ has a tested camera score, Edge 50 Fusion lacks this. |
| Features | 8K Video, Optical Zoom | Time-lapse, Dual capture | S21+ has more advanced video and zoom features, Motorola has added time-lapse |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Up to 15 | Android 14, Up to 17 | Edge 50 Fusion has a newer OS, resulting in longer software support |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | Edge 50 Fusion supports newer WiFi standards for faster speeds and better connectivity |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Edge 50 Fusion has a newer Bluetooth version with better power efficiency |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Edge 50 Fusion supports more satellite systems for more accurate positioning |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both have dual SIM functionality with eSIM support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB | Edge 50 Fusion offers more storage options, especially the 512 GB option |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | Edge 50 Fusion can have more RAM, better for multitasking and heavy usage |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer stereo sound and Dolby Atmos for immersive audio, S21+ has additional features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both have standard fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | S21+ has better screen protection from scratches and impacts |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21+ has a barometer, for improved environment sensing |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Telephoto Camera: Offers optical zoom capabilities, which are missing on the Edge 50 Fusion, improving versatility.
- Wireless Charging: Supports both wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, a key convenience feature.
- Advanced Video: Capable of 8K video recording, beneficial for content creators.
- Superior Screen Protection: Features Gorilla Glass Victus, providing better protection against drops and scratches.
- More Audio Features: Hi-Res audio, Noise cancellation microphone, offering superior audio experiences.
- Barometer Sensor: The added barometer provides environmental sensing benefits.
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion Advantages:
- Newer Release: More recent release date means longer software support and likely more up-to-date security patches.
- Lighter Design: Significantly lighter, more comfortable for long usage periods.
- Brighter Display: Higher peak brightness enhances outdoor visibility, critical for sunny days.
- Faster Charging: 68W charging allows quick battery replenishment, saving time.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 50MP primary camera captures more detail than the S21+'s 12MP.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP selfie camera is great for sharper self-portraits and video calls.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 provides better power efficiency than 5.0 on S21+
- More RAM Option: 12GB RAM option for heavy multitasking and gaming performance.
- More Storage Option: Up to 512 GB internal storage option.
- Newer WiFi: Support for WiFi 6E offers better speed and lower latency.
- Additional Satellite System: Including SUPL and NavIC systems for greater location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- S21+ sacrifices battery charging speed, brightness, and weight for wireless charging and more advanced video features.
- Edge 50 Fusion compromises telephoto capabilities for a lighter build, faster charging, and improved main and selfie cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is ideal for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize versatile zoom capabilities and optical image stabilization.
- Video Content Creators: Individuals who need high-resolution 8K video recording and advanced video features.
- Users Needing Wireless Charging: Those who appreciate the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need superior screen protection from scratches.
- Audiophiles: Those who value Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation microphones.
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is ideal for:
- Everyday Users: People who want a lightweight, reliable phone with excellent battery life.
- On-the-Go Individuals: Those who need fast charging capabilities for quick power top-ups.
- Social Media Users: Those who prefer high-quality selfies and frequently use their front camera.
- Outdoor Users: Individuals who need a bright screen for visibility in sunlight.
- Gamers/Heavy Multitaskers: Those who require a higher RAM option.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your main use case? (e.g., photography, social media, gaming, everyday use)
- How important is the camera zoom and wireless charging? (priorities for S21+)
- Do you prioritize a lighter design and faster charging? (priorities for Edge 50 Fusion)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Photography/Video: If capturing versatile photos with zoom and shooting high-resolution videos is critical, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a better option.
- For Daily Use: If you want a lightweight device with excellent battery, faster charging, and a good selfie camera for everyday use, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is preferable.
- For Outdoor Use: The brighter display of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is more suitable for outdoor use, but the more robust screen protection of the S21+ is worth noting.
- For Multi-taskers/Gamers: The 12GB RAM and improved GPU of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion will serve you better for heavy multitasking.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would select the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion.
Here's why:
- More up-to-date experience: The Edge 50 Fusion's newer release date means longer software support, which is critical for the life of a device and getting new updates and security patches.
- Practical Daily Benefits: The significantly lighter weight, brighter display, and much faster charging are key features that I would appreciate daily.
- Comparable Performance: Although the Samsung S21+ has a more impressive telephoto camera, for most casual users, the improved main camera and selfie camera on the Edge 50 Fusion are more relevant for daily use.
- Better Value: The performance of both phones is very similar, however, with the Motorola's newer chipset and other practical benefits like faster charging and a lighter design, it represents better value.
- Less dependency on wireless charging: Personally, I don't rely on wireless charging much, and the faster wired charging is much more useful.
While the S21+'s 8K video and wireless charging are compelling, the Edge 50 Fusion’s balance of practicality and performance makes it a better overall choice for me. The extra RAM and storage options on the Edge 50 Fusion also makes it a better long-term option. The Edge 50 Fusion better fits my typical use case as an everyday smartphone.
