Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Motorola Edge 20
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 163 × 76 × 7 mm | Motorola Edge 20 is taller and wider, while vivo V21 5G is slightly thicker. Edge 20 may feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 176g | 163g | Motorola Edge 20 is 13g lighter, which can be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola Edge 20 offers better protection against scratches. |
Display
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.44" | 6.7" | Motorola Edge 20 has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same Full HD+ clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 385 | vivo V21 5G has a slightly sharper display, but the difference is minimal in practice. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 20 has a significantly smoother display, especially noticeable in gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness information is unavailable, can't compare. |
Performance
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Motorola Edge 20's chipset offers better overall performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 589,200 | Motorola Edge 20 is significantly faster, offering smoother app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 642L | Motorola Edge 20 has a more powerful GPU for better graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP (f/1.79) | 108MP (f/1.9) | Motorola Edge 20 can capture more detailed photos; vivo V21 5G has a slightly wider aperture which helps in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP (f/2.0) | 32MP (f/2.3) | vivo V21 5G has higher-resolution selfies with a wider aperture, better for low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 8MP (f/2.4) | Motorola Edge 20 offers dedicated optical zoom capabilities for better distant shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2) | No | vivo V21 5G can capture more in a single frame with its wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | No | vivo V21 5G can capture close-up shots with its dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | 16MP (f/2.2) | Motorola Edge 20 offers an ultrawide with a macro mode. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@30/60fps with OIS | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps with EIS, 720p@960fps with EIS | vivo V21 5G uses OIS for better stabilization. Motorola Edge 20 offers more slow-motion options. |
| Video Stabilization | OIS | EIS | vivo V21 5G has better stabilization in theory due to OIS. |
| Features | OIS, Ultra stable video, PDAF, Front Flash | Optical zoom, Manual focus | vivo V21 5G has better video stabilization and focus; Motorola Edge 20 offers more manual controls and optical zoom. |
Battery
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4020mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity for all-day use. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 30W fast charging | vivo V21 5G charges slightly faster, which might make a small difference in daily use. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Motorola Edge 20 can charge other devices wirelessly, a convenient feature. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages
- Superior Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for better low-light performance.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Provides better video stabilization compared to Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), meaning less shaky videos.
- Wider Aperture on Main Camera: Slightly better low-light performance for main camera shots compared to the Motorola Edge 20.
- Dedicated Macro and Wide Angle Lens: Versatile camera system with dedicated lenses
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster charging speed.
Motorola Edge 20 Advantages
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset offers much higher benchmark scores, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 144Hz display provides a much smoother experience, especially for gaming and scrolling.
- Telephoto Lens with Optical Zoom: Allows for zoomed shots with less loss in quality than digital zoom.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Newer Bluetooth and Wifi Standards: Offers better and faster connection quality.
- Better Screen Protection: More durable due to Gorilla Glass 3.
- More Modern Android Support Motorola Edge 20 has a confirmed update to Android 12.
Trade-offs
- vivo V21 5G sacrifices performance and display smoothness for better selfie capabilities, stabilization, and a more versatile triple camera system.
- Motorola Edge 20 sacrifices some selfie camera quality for significantly better overall performance, a smoother display, and optical zoom capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for vivo V21 5G
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who frequently take selfies and prioritize front-facing camera quality.
- Video Creators: Users who need good video stabilization (OIS) and care about good low light performance.
- Those on a tighter budget This phone is generally available for less than the Motorola Edge 20
Use Cases:
- Social media enthusiasts who frequently post selfies and videos.
- Casual users who need a reliable daily driver with good camera capabilities.
- Those who want a good low-light main camera.
Ideal Users for Motorola Edge 20
- Performance Seekers: Users who prioritize speed, multitasking, and gaming.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch videos and want a smoother display and better screen quality.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want telephoto capabilities and prefer flexibility in shooting different scenes.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest technology and features, like newer Bluetooth and Wifi, as well as confirmed Android version upgrades.
Use Cases:
- Gamers who want a smooth display and powerful performance.
- Users who frequently use their phones for multimedia consumption.
- Those who need a good camera that can take a variety of different shots thanks to the telephoto and ultrawide modes.
Price-to-Value
The Motorola Edge 20 generally has a higher price point due to its superior performance and more modern features. If budget is a primary concern, the vivo V21 5G might be a more suitable option.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Do you prioritize front camera quality or overall performance? (vivo V21 5G excels in selfies, Motorola Edge 20 excels in overall performance)
- Is a smoother display experience (144Hz) important to you? (Motorola Edge 20 has a significantly smoother display)
- Do you need OIS and good low-light camera or Optical Zoom capabilities? (vivo V21 5G offers better low-light performance and OIS; Motorola Edge 20 has optical zoom.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Social Media Influencer: If you are a social media influencer who prioritizes selfies and creating videos for social media, the vivo V21 5G is more suitable for the better quality of the front facing camera and OIS.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: If you are a mobile gamer, the Motorola Edge 20 is recommended for its superior performance and higher refresh rate display.
- Scenario 3: Average User with a mix of needs: For an average user who values a balance of performance, display, and camera features, Motorola Edge 20 has the edge due to better performance, modern specs, and useful features like reverse charging.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious: If the budget is the highest consideration, the vivo V21 5G is likely the more affordable option, while still offering a good user experience.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Motorola Edge 20. Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 778G is a much more capable chip than the Dimensity 800U. This means snappier app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better experience when playing games.
- Display: I value a high refresh rate display. The 144Hz panel of the Motorola Edge 20 is significantly smoother than the 90Hz on the Vivo. This makes scrolling and animations noticeably more fluid.
- Features: I also appreciate having access to reverse wireless charging, and the confirmed android update to version 12 is also appealing.
- Modern Specs: While the front-facing camera on the Vivo has some theoretical advantages, the performance and modern standards of the Edge 20 make it the better overall device, especially given they were launched in the same year.
While the vivo V21 5G has its strengths, specifically in front camera quality and OIS, the Motorola Edge 20’s advantages in performance, display, and modern features make it the better choice for my typical use case.
