Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Motorola Edge 40 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the two smartphones, focusing on real-world implications:
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 161.2 × 74 × 8.6 mm | The Motorola is slightly taller and noticeably thicker, impacting one-handed use and pocketability; The Vivo is more compact. |
| Weight | 176g | 199g | The vivo is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and pocket carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.67" | The Motorola offers a slightly larger viewing area, which is better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same FHD+ resolution, meaning similar sharpness for typical daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 394 PPI | Both are sharp, with the Vivo having negligibly higher density which most users won't notice in practice. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar quality display technologies, providing vibrant colours and deep blacks; both are good for general use and media. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 165Hz | The Motorola has a much smoother display experience, excellent for gaming and scrolling through content; Vivo's is ok, but visibly less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | The Motorola offers vastly superior visibility in bright sunlight conditions; Vivo's screen will be hard to use outside in direct sun. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Motorola's chipset is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 1,532,500 | The Motorola achieves a much higher score, indicating a vastly superior overall performance and more future-proofing. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 740 | The Motorola's GPU is vastly more powerful, leading to much better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4600mAh | The Motorola's larger battery offers better endurance, meaning longer periods between charges. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | The Motorola charges much faster, enabling shorter charging times and quick top-ups; Vivo's is slow by comparison. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wired, Non-removable | The Motorola offers more versatile charging options including wireless and reverse charging capabilities, offering more utility. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00µm, 1/1.55" Sensor | The vivo has higher megapixel count but the Motorola has a larger sensor, meaning better low-light performance and dynamic range; the Motorola captures more light. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.61µm | The Motorola has more megapixels but the vivo has a larger sensor and wider aperture meaning better low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.93", 1.22µm | The Motorola has a dedicated zoom lens, enabling more versatile photography with improved optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The Motorola offers a much higher resolution wide-angle lens, resulting in more detailed and usable wide shots; vivo's is low resolution. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The vivo offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, but the resolution is low. |
| Video | 4K@30fps OIS, 1080p@60fps OIS | 8K@30fps HDR, 4K@60fps HDR, 1080p@960fps HDR | The Motorola records at a higher resolution (8k) with more frame rate options, providing higher quality and more versatility. It offers superior stabilization, and more options. |
| DxoMark Score | Not Available | Mobile: 130, Photo: 133, Video: 135 | The Motorola has been tested and scored, with good overall camera performance. |
| Camera Features | OIS, 4K Video, Front Flash | OIS, 8K Video, Optical zoom, RAW, Night Mode | The Motorola offers more advanced features, leading to more control and better image quality in various conditions. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | The Motorola has a newer version of Android, offering access to the latest features and security updates; more future proof. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi ac | Wi-Fi 7 | The Motorola supports much newer WiFi standards, resulting in faster speeds and improved performance on modern networks; Vivo's is older tech. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The Motorola has a newer Bluetooth standard, offering better connectivity, efficiency, and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Motorola supports more satellite systems, meaning potentially higher accuracy and faster location acquisition. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Motorola Edge 40 Pro offers eSIM capability for digital carrier switching; Vivo only has nano SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB or 512GB | The Motorola offers more storage and more options; Vivo has a lower capacity base model. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | The Motorola has more RAM, making it significantly better for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, meaning users are limited to internal options. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | The Motorola offers a far superior audio experience with stereo speakers and spatial audio enhancement; Vivo has no special audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint based biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Motorola offers superior protection against drops and scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both offer a standard set of sensors for typical smartphone functionalities and gaming experiences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 40 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers vastly superior performance compared to the Dimensity 800U, impacting everything from app loading to gaming.
- Smoother Display: The 165Hz refresh rate provides a much more fluid and responsive display experience compared to the 90Hz of the vivo.
- Brighter Screen: The 1100 nits brightness means significantly better outdoor visibility under sunlight.
- Faster Charging: The 125W fast charging enables much faster top-ups compared to the 33W charging of the vivo.
- Better Camera System: More versatile camera system with better sensors, optical zoom, 8K video recording, and advanced features like RAW and Night Mode.
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer version of Android.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for a superior audio experience.
- Advanced Connectivity: Faster WiFi 7 support and Bluetooth 5.3.
- More RAM and Storage: Options for more storage and a base 12GB of RAM.
- More Robust Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More compact, lighter and easier to handle for longer periods.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, albeit with low resolution.
- Front Flash: For better selfies in very low light.
- Slightly Higher Selfie Camera Sensor Size: Slightly better low-light performance on front camera
Significant Trade-offs:
- The vivo sacrifices performance, display quality, camera versatility, charging speed, and audio experience for a slimmer, lighter design and a slightly more affordable price point.
- The Motorola prioritizes performance, screen, camera, charging, and audio at the expense of a slightly larger and heavier design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for vivo V21 5G:
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging and prefer a light, compact phone.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance and features, but want a sleek looking phone.
Users needing Front Flash Users that rely on selfie photos in very low light.
Use Cases: Everyday communication, light social media, some basic photography, and those who prefer a sleek, lightweight phone.
Ideal Users for Motorola Edge 40 Pro:
- Power Users: Individuals who require high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize display quality and audio performance for watching videos and listening to music.
- Photography Lovers: Users who want a versatile camera system with advanced features and high quality video.
- Tech-Savvy: Users who want the newest features.
Professional Content Creators Mobile professional content creators will benefit from 8K and slow motion video recording, RAW capture and high-end processing capabilities.
Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photo/video recording, high-end content consumption, extensive multitasking, and anyone who needs to use the phone under bright sunlight.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers:
- How important is top-tier performance and gaming to you? If gaming or demanding applications are a priority, the Motorola Edge 40 Pro is the clear choice. If not, the vivo is adequate.
- Do you prioritize a lightweight compact design or better display, camera, and audio quality? If compact size is paramount, the vivo is better. But the Motorola offers huge improvements in screen and audio.
- What is your budget, and do you need the latest features? The vivo is likely to be more affordable; if you can spend more, the Motorola offers a more future-proof experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User on a Budget: If you primarily use your phone for social media, calls, and occasional photos and want something lightweight and more affordable, the vivo V21 5G is adequate.
- Scenario 2: Power User/Gamer: If you need a fast phone for demanding games, heavy multitasking, and prefer a high refresh rate display and advanced features, the Motorola Edge 40 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you want a versatile camera with good low-light performance, good video, optical zoom, and advanced shooting modes, the Motorola Edge 40 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 4: Media Consumption: If you prefer a brighter screen and enhanced audio for watching videos and listening to music, the Motorola Edge 40 Pro provides a far better experience.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. The sheer difference in performance, screen quality, camera capabilities, and audio features makes it a far more compelling device for my needs. While it is slightly larger and heavier, I find the benefits of the vastly superior chipset, much smoother display, brighter screen, better camera system, much faster charging, enhanced audio, and more versatile software features to be worth the trade-off in size and price. I also prefer that the Motorola has the latest operating system, more memory and more robust screen protection. I value performance, camera quality, and display experience above all else, making the Motorola the obvious choice. The Vivo would be acceptable for a budget, but it compromises too much in performance and is not future proof, so given the choice and a reasonable budget, the Motorola is far better.
