Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | Edge 30 Pro is larger and thicker, less comfortable for small hands; V21 5G more pocketable. |
| Weight | 176g | 196g | V21 5G is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use, less wrist strain. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.7" | Edge 30 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp, detailed display experience. |
| PPI | 409 | 393 | Both are virtually identical in terms of display sharpness for typical use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks, slightly different calibration |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Pro offers noticeably smoother scrolling, gaming, and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No data available on brightness - this is a key specification missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Edge 30 Pro offers significantly faster processing, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance due to a more powerful and newer chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 1,061,400 | Edge 30 Pro demonstrates significantly higher performance, noticeable in demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 730 | Edge 30 Pro’s Adreno 730 delivers far superior graphical performance, better for gamers. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4800mAh | Edge 30 Pro has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Edge 30 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Features | Non-removable | Wireless, Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Edge 30 Pro offers more flexibility with wireless and reverse charging, useful for travelers and users with wireless accessories. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Standard) | 64MP f/1.79, 0.8µm | 50MP f/1.8, 1.00µm, 1/1.55" | Edge 30 Pro has a larger sensor and pixel size, potentially better low-light performance despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie | 44MP f/2.0, 0.7µm, 1/2.65" | 60MP f/2.2, 0.61µm, 1/2.8" | Edge 30 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera. V21 has a larger sensor and wider aperture, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2 | None | V21 5G offers a dedicated wide-angle camera for landscape and group shots. |
| Depth | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Edge 30 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, potentially more accurate bokeh effects. |
| Macro | 2MP f/2.4 | None | V21 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide+Macro | None | 50MP f/2.2, 0.64µm, 1/2.76" | Edge 30 Pro utilizes a high-resolution wide-angle lens that doubles as a macro camera. |
| Video | 4K@30fps OIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps HDR, EIS | Edge 30 Pro offers higher resolution video recording (8K), plus HDR, more video capture options, and stabilization features for smooth footage. |
| DxOMark | None | 101 (Mobile) | Edge 30 Pro has a tested and decent score, while V21 5G hasn't been tested. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Edge 30 Pro has a newer OS, with future updates possible |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Edge 30 Pro supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Edge 30 Pro uses a newer Bluetooth standard for better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GPS(L1+L5), Galileo(E1+E5a) | Both have comprehensive GPS, but Edge 30 Pro uses newer standards for potentially more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality for convenient management of two phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Edge 30 Pro offers more internal storage options up to 512GB. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Edge 30 Pro is available with 12GB RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, limiting options. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Edge 30 Pro provides better audio quality with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, ideal for media consumers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Edge 30 Pro uses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which may be faster to use. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Edge 30 Pro has superior screen protection, offering better scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have a standard suite of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and pocket, better for those with smaller hands or who prioritize portability.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro Lenses: More flexible camera system with specific lenses for different shooting scenarios.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: Potentially better low-light selfies due to f/2.0 aperture.
- Front Flash: Can take brighter pictures in low light situations
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers dramatically faster processing and graphics, ideal for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid visual experience.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and significantly faster charging times.
- Enhanced Camera Video: Supports 8K video recording with additional HDR and EIS features, superior for video enthusiasts
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Offers more detailed selfies with 60MP sensor.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Greater flexibility for charging and accessory use.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 12 with upgrade to 13 possible.
- Advanced Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos provide a more immersive audio experience.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers superior screen protection.
- More Internal Storage Option
Trade-offs:
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro sacrifices some camera flexibility by lacking dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses, instead opting for a combined wide/macro lens. The edge 30 Pro is also heavier and bulkier than the Vivo V21
- vivo V21 5G has significantly lower performance, slower charging, a smaller battery, and less video capability compared to the Edge 30 Pro, but has a more compact and lightweight design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize a lightweight and compact phone.
- Users who enjoy taking photos and appreciate having dedicated macro and wide-angle cameras.
- Users who don't need high performance for gaming or intensive tasks and don't need the latest video features
- Users who prefer front flash for selfies.
- Users on a tighter budget, potentially getting a good phone at a lower cost.
Use Cases:
- Everyday social media use, photography, and casual gaming
- Frequent travelers needing a lightweight, pocketable phone
- Users who enjoy taking close-up macro shots and wide-angle landscape photos
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Ideal Users:
- Gamers and power users who need top performance.
- Users who want a smooth display and a premium experience.
- Users who value battery life and fast charging.
- Users who record a lot of videos and like the extra control and quality the phone offers
- Users who utilize wireless charging and reverse charging
- Users who consume a lot of media and need enhanced audio features
- Users who prefer to have more internal storage options
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, graphic-intensive tasks, video editing, video recording.
- Users who prioritize smooth scrolling and visuals.
- Business users who require fast performance and a reliable device.
- Multimedia lovers who want immersive audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, everyday use)
- How important is portability and comfort? (Do you prioritize a lighter and more compact phone or a larger display?)
- What level of performance and features do you need? (Are you a power user, or do you have more basic needs?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Performance & Media Enthusiasts: If you prioritize gaming, smooth display, video recording, and top-tier performance, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the clear choice.
- For Everyday Users Who Value Portability and Photography: If you prefer a lighter phone with a dedicated macro and wide-angle camera, along with front flash for selfies, the vivo V21 5G is a more suitable option.
- For Budget-Conscious Buyers: If you prioritize value and don't need the highest performance and latest features the vivo V21 5G will likely have a lower cost, and be a strong contender
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro.
Reasons:
- Future-Proof Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a significant performance advantage, ensuring smoother multitasking and gaming for years to come. As a power user, this is a crucial factor.
- Superior Display: The 144Hz refresh rate is a noticeable upgrade for scrolling and animations, making the device feel more responsive and enjoyable.
- Advanced Video Features: The 8K recording and enhanced stabilization is useful for capturing great-looking videos.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection gives more peace of mind.
- Better Audio: The Dolby Atmos support and stereo speakers offer a better audio experience for music and videos.
- Latest OS: The phone having a newer OS means updates for years to come.
While I acknowledge that the vivo V21 5G is more compact and offers dedicated macro and wide-angle cameras, for my use case, the performance of the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is more important. I am also happy to have the newer wireless charging features and extra battery life, which are vital for my daily use. The Edge 30 Pro addresses the user needs that I value the most.
