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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority for you, the Samsung Galaxy S21 would be the better choice as it has higher overall camera quality. However, if you're looking for a larger screen and longer battery life, the Motorola Edge (2020) offers a bigger display and longer usage time between charges. Both devices have plastic backs, run on Android, and have budget price points, but the Galaxy S21 has a more powerful processor and higher screen quality. The Motorola has the advantage of a headphone jack and slightly more storage. Keep in mind, the S21 has a higher refresh rate for smoother visual experience and supports wireless charging. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Motorola Edge (2020)
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.7
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2020) has poor overall camera quality.
The Motorola Edge (2020)'s camera struggles mainly due to poor software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, all of which affect the overall photo and selfie quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 delivers significantly better results in these areas, especially in selfies, as well as offering superior video capabilities and microphone quality.
Photo Quality
4.8
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Motorola Edge (2020) takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is known to take good photos, largely because of its very good photos software experience and good selfie quality. In contrast, the Motorola Edge (2020) delivers poorer photo performance, with just a good rating for photos software experience and a poor selfie quality.
Video Quality
4.2
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Motorola Edge (2020) takes poor videos.
The Motorola Edge (2020) has poor video performance because of low scores across factors that include resolution and framerate, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and the video software experience. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 performs well in video recording, especially due to its higher scores in the same areas, including stabilization, dynamic range, and software experience for video as well as superior microphone quality.
Battery
7.8 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2020) has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2020) has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$120
$145
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Motorola Edge (2020) has a price of $120 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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How the Motorola Edge (2020) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Edge (2020) | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$120 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 29, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 385 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD765G | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 64 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.36" x 2.8" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.63 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Solar Black | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Motorola Edge (2020)
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Tom Bedford | July 2020
"The Motorola Edge has a battery that won’t leave you wanting, whether you just want to take some pictures, or play games and record videos for much of the day, so if you don’t want to worry about having to top up your device all the time, the Edge might be a good choice. Leaving aside its impressive specs and features, the Motorola Edge just looks pretty good, and it feels great in the hand too, so if ‘style’ is a factor in your phone-buying decisions the Edge is well worth a look."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2020) or the Samsung Galaxy S21
About Motorola
Motorola, a well-known name in the smartphone world, has a long-standing legacy in the industry, with a history dating back to the early days of mobile phones. The brand is mostly known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as providing a clean and straightforward interface with their software skin on top of Android. While they have traditionally been prominent in the budget and midrange categories, Motorola has also occasionally ventured into the high-end category for smartphones.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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