If you value a more premium build quality and higher performance, the Sony Xperia 5 III, with its glass body and more powerful processor, may be the better choice, but it does come with a higher price. For photography enthusiasts, the Sony also offers superior camera capabilities and the ability to record higher quality video. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a larger screen and slightly longer battery life at a budget-friendly price, the Motorola Edge (2020) might suit your needs, despite having a plastic back and less powerful hardware. Both phones run Android, feature similar resolutions, and support 5G, but note the Sony's higher display refresh rate, which can provide smoother visuals for activities like scrolling and gaming. 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)
The Motorola Edge (2020) has no clear advantages over the Sony Xperia 5 III.
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
The Sony Xperia 5 III has no clear advantages over the Motorola Edge (2020).
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.7/10
6.0/10
The Sony Xperia 5 III has only fair overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2020) has poor overall camera quality.
The Motorola Edge (2020) falls short with a “poor” selfie camera, while the Sony Xperia 5 III offers a “fair” selfie experience which is better in comparison. When considering other camera aspects, both phones struggle with low light performance, dynamic range, and software experience; however, the Sony Xperia 5 III provides more versatility and a better video experience overall.
Photo Quality
4.8/10
5.9/10
The Sony Xperia 5 III and Motorola Edge (2020) both have poor photos, though the Sony Xperia 5 III takes somewhat better photos.
The Motorola Edge (2020) takes poor photos due to its less capable photo software experience, limited camera versatility, and lower selfie photo quality. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 5 III, despite a fair selfie photo quality, offers a more refined photos software experience and better camera versatility, leading to overall fair photo results.
Video Quality
4.2/10
6.0/10
The Sony Xperia 5 III takes only fair videos, while the Motorola Edge (2020) takes poor videos.
The Motorola Edge (2020) takes poor videos due to lower ratings in video resolution/framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality; contrastingly, the Sony Xperia 5 III, while still facing challenges with dynamic range and low light performance, offers a better overall video experience evidenced by higher ratings in software experience and stabilization, as well as superior mic quality.
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2020) has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$120
$450
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Motorola Edge (2020) has a price of $120 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
"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."
"The Sony Xperia 5 III excels when it comes to rear camera photography, its display and multi-media features, and all-day battery life. Buy the Xperia 5 III if you’re looking for a fun but imperfect camera setup, customizable gaming features, all-day battery life, and all the best multimedia capabilities that Sony has to offer"
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2020) or the Sony Xperia 5 III
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 Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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.
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About the phone team
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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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