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Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering the Motorola Edge (2021) is usually less expensive, if budget is a priority and you're satisfied with a plastic body and an LCD screen, it's a practical choice. It offers a decent battery life and good camera quality. However, if you're willing to invest more, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) provides a glass body, superior OLED display with higher brightness, longer battery life, and enhanced camera capabilities, with higher quality photos and videos. It also has a higher storage capacity and newer processor for better performance. Both run on Android and have similar screen sizes. 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 (2021)
- The Motorola Edge (2021) has no clear advantages over the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023).
Advantages of the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023)
- The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) has no clear advantages over the Motorola Edge (2021).
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.2
6.3
The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) has only fair overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Motorola Edge (2021) has poorer camera performance because all evaluated features such as photo and video quality, dynamic range, low light performance, versatility, and selfie quality are rated as fair to poor, reflecting a weaker overall camera experience. In contrast, the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) shows improvements across these aspects with better photo processing, versatility, and particularly selfie quality, along with good ratings for both low light performance and dynamic range, making it the superior choice for camera-centric users.
Photo Quality
5.3
6.2
The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) takes only fair photos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) has poorer selfie capabilities compared to the Motorola Edge+ (2023), as well as less effective photo software overall, which contributes to its subdued performance in photos resolution, dynamic range, and low light conditions. The Motorola Edge+ (2023), although performing only fairly, shows improvements in these areas, leading to a better overall photo quality, including selfie photos.
Video Quality
4.7
5.8
The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) and Motorola Edge (2021) both have poor videos, though the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) takes somewhat better videos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) has lower video resolution and framerate capabilities, less effective video stabilization, and poorer performance under low light conditions compared to the Edge+ (2023), which results in poor video quality. In contrast, the Edge+ (2023) offers better software for video, enhanced dynamic range, and improved microphone quality, providing a fair video recording experience.
Battery
8.7 Hours
9.3 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life. The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) has 9.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$165
$800
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a price of $165 and the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) costs $800.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) is 6.67 inches.
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How the Motorola Edge (2021) and the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Edge (2021) | Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$165 | $800 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Motorola | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 2, 2021 | May 19, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2460 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 395 | 395 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD778G | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 512 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.7 Hours | 9.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5100 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 (5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.65" x 2.98" | 6.35" x 2.91" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 7.16 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 7 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Nebula Blue | Interstellar Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Motorola Edge (2021)
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Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | October 2021
"If you've overlooked Motorola's higher-end phones in the past, the Motorola Edge 5G UW does a very good job at trying to regain your attention. Improvements to the main camera impress. I'm also impressed by how quickly the phone recharges. It's the affordability that ultimately wins the day for the Motorola Edge. this phone offers enough premium features to put it at the forefront of midrange options."
Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
DigitalTrends
Joe Maring | May 2023
"Just about everything I want in a high-end Android phone is here. The Edge Plus looks and feels [sic] great, the display is outstanding, performance is rock-solid, the software is organized and helpful, battery life is phenomenal, and it doesn’t take too long to get the phone back to 100% when it does eventually die. The best part? You get all of that for hundreds of dollars less than similar phones from Google and Samsung."
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2021) or the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023)
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.
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Why trust us
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
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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