1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, focusing on the practical implications of their specifications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | S21+ is slightly wider, Edge 50 Pro is slightly thicker. Overall, both are similar in size, but Edge 50 Pro is slightly easier to hold one handed because of its narrow width. |
| Weight | 200g | 186g | Edge 50 Pro is noticeably lighter, which could be more comfortable during prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both offer the same screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1220 x 2712 | Edge 50 Pro has a noticeably sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 394 | 446 | Edge 50 Pro's higher pixel density results in a clearer, less pixelated viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, with minimal practical difference in daily use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 50 Pro provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, especially beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | Edge 50 Pro offers significantly better visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Edge 50 Pro's Snapdragon chip is newer and more efficient, likely offering better sustained performance and battery life. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 866,863 | Edge 50 Pro benchmarks higher, indicating slightly better overall performance in demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 720 | Different GPUs, with the Adreno 720 in Edge 50 Pro providing a slight edge in gaming performance according to benchmarks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.4 | Edge 50 Pro's higher resolution allows for more detailed images and its wider aperture should provide better low-light performance, though sensor size also matters which is not specified. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0 | 10MP, f/2.0 | S21+ has a higher resolution telephoto but Edge 50 Pro has dedicated 10 MP telephoto lens, which is likely more suitable for zooming. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Edge 50 Pro has significantly higher resolution and wider aperture, likely producing clearer, better lit selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Similar wide angle capabilities, Edge 50 pro's wide angle camera is slightly better. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ offers higher resolution video recording for professional quality footage, while both have stabilisation and other features |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 111 (Photo: 118, Video: 89) | Not Tested | S21+ has been tested and scored well by DXOMark. Edge 50 Pro is not tested by DXOMark |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4500mAh | S21+ has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a bit more usage time. |
| Charging | 25W | 125W | Edge 50 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and enabling quicker top-ups. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Edge 50 Pro offers much faster wireless charging. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 4.5W | 10W | Edge 50 Pro can charge other devices faster wirelessly. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | Edge 50 Pro ships with a newer OS, offering the latest features and security updates, and will receive 2 more OS updates than S21+. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | Edge 50 Pro supports the newest WiFi standard, offering faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.4 LE | Edge 50 Pro uses a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version that also offers LDAC which provides better audio fidelity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, NavIC | Edge 50 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy, particularly in India with NavIC. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Edge 50 Pro offers more storage options, especially for users who store large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12/16 GB | Edge 50 Pro has more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster application switching. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards, limiting storage options. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both offer Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers but S21+ has high quality audio and noise cancellation microphone which may improve sound quality and clarity of calls |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- 8K Video Recording: The S21+ can record video in 8K resolution, which is useful for users who want to future proof their videos.
- Slightly Larger Battery: While not a huge difference, the slightly larger battery might offer a bit more usage per charge.
- DXOMark Rating: The S21+ camera has been thoroughly tested by DXOMark with a good score, offering a more established reputation.
- Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation Microphones: Might result in better sound quality, especially when listening on wired headphones.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Charging: The 125W fast charging is a game-changer for users who hate waiting for their phone to charge.
- Higher Resolution & Brighter Display: The sharper and brighter display greatly improves the viewing experience, particularly outdoors.
- More Powerful Chipset: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 offers better performance, efficiency, and gaming capabilities.
- Newer Software: Shipping with Android 14 gives users access to the newest features and offers longer software support.
- More RAM & Storage Options: The higher RAM capacity and wider storage options benefit power users.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 provide better network speeds and audio quality.
- Better Camera for Selfies and Low light: The main camera and selfie camera have a wider aperture which should be great in low light.
- More complete camera system: A dedicated telephoto and ultrawide camera for better image capture.
Trade-offs:
- S21+ has better video: S21+ offers 8K recording while Edge 50 Pro is limited to 4K.
- Edge 50 Pro has smaller battery: S21+ has a slightly larger battery, but the difference in battery life will likely be minimal given Edge 50 Pro's more efficient processor.
- S21+ has better audio features: While Edge 50 Pro also supports Dolby Atmos, the S21+ boasts Hi-Res audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Video Content Creators: The 8K video recording will be a huge advantage for creators who need high quality video.
- Users who prioritize established camera performance: The DXOMark rating will likely reassure users who want a well-tested camera system.
- Users who want best sound quality: The hi-res audio and noise cancellation microphones will be great for audiophiles.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power Users: The faster charging, higher RAM, and faster chipset provide a better overall experience for users who heavily rely on their phone.
- Users who value display quality: The higher resolution and brightness will be a great experience for consuming media outdoors.
- Gamers: The higher refresh rate, newer GPU, and faster chipset will result in smoother gameplay.
- Photography enthusiasts: The more versatile and higher quality camera system.
- Users who want up to date software: Newer operating system with 2 years more of upgrades.
- Users who want top of the line connectivity : WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and extra satellite systems.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Filming high-resolution videos for professional or personal projects.
- Listening to music with high fidelity.
- General use where slightly better battery life is required.
- Motorola Edge 50 Pro:
- Gaming and intensive tasks that require the extra RAM and processing power.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight when display visibility is critical.
- Anyone who needs to be able to quickly charge their phone.
- Heavy multitaskers.
- Travelling users that rely on location services and connectivity.
- Users who want top of the line camera quality.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Without knowing the exact pricing, the Edge 50 Pro generally offers more advanced tech and features (faster charging, better display, more storage) which could justify a higher price point. S21+ is older and should be cheaper, so is ideal for those who want a good phone on a budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is video quality? If 8K video recording is a must, the S21+ is the better choice.
- Do you prioritize display quality, gaming performance, and fast charging? If so, the Edge 50 Pro is the clear winner.
- Are you on a budget? If so, the S21+ is the more budget friendly option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Content Creation - Go for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for 8K video capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gaming and Heavy Multitasking - Choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for its more powerful chipset, higher RAM, and display.
- Scenario 3: Daily Use & Media Consumption - The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is better thanks to its brighter display, faster charging, and the newer software.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G will be cheaper and provide a good experience for general use.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. Although the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has some advantages, the Edge 50 Pro is superior in the areas I value the most in a smartphone: display quality, overall performance, charging speed, and future proofing (newer OS and connectivity standards). The faster charging makes it very convenient for me as I rarely leave my phone plugged in for extended periods. The brighter, higher resolution screen will also enhance my experience using the phone outdoors and consuming media. Although I do appreciate the DXOMark rating and Hi-Res audio on the S21+, the features on the Edge 50 Pro are more valuable to me, and I expect the real world performance difference between the two devices would be easily noticeable during regular use.
