If your priority is a better camera with higher overall quality, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 would be preferable, and it's a less expensive option compared to the Motorola Edge (2021). The Note20 also offers wireless charging and an OLED screen, which generally displays more vibrant colors and deeper blacks than the LCD screen on the Motorola Edge (2021). However, the Motorola Edge has a higher refresh rate, which can provide a smoother visual experience, especially during fast-paced content like gaming. Both phones have 5G connectivity, but if you're looking for a stylus, only the Galaxy Note20 has one. Both run on Android and have similar storage and RAM, but the Edge has longer battery life. Consider these factors based on what matters more to you: camera quality and extra features like wireless charging and a stylus or battery life and a smoother screen experience. 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 Samsung Galaxy Note20.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has no clear advantages over the Motorola Edge (2021).
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.2/10
6.6/10
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Motorola Edge (2021)'s camera performance is overall poor, with each camera aspect such as software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, camera versatility, and especially the selfie quality, being below par. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a fair camera system, offering better camera versatility and selfie quality, although certain aspects like dynamic range and low light performance for photos are also lacking.
Photo Quality
5.3/10
6.4/10
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) delivers poor photo experiences across various aspects including selfie quality, dynamic range, and low light performance, indicating a generally weak camera system. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Note20, while also subpar in resolution and dynamic range, offers fair selfie quality and camera versatility, suggesting a slight edge in camera performance, particularly for selfie photos.
Video Quality
4.7/10
5.9/10
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Motorola Edge (2021) both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes somewhat better videos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) records video with a low resolution/framerate, alongside a poor video stabilization and dynamic range, and subpar low light performance, which leads to its poor video capture experience. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 delivers a good video software experience and better video stabilization, though it still suffers from a fair dynamic range and low light performance, resulting in an overall fair video capability.
Cost
$165
$286
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a price of $165 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 costs $286.
"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."
"We think pretty much anyone picking up the Note 20 to take photos will be very happy with the sharpness and appearance of the shots. If you're looking for a phone with an integrated stylus then there's little better than the note-taking potential of this phone. Sure, its 'glasstic' rear and lack of higher refrsh-rate screen are little red marks against its specification, but you can buy the step-up Ultra model if you see that as a problem - although we prefer the smaller price and smaller camera lump of this 'entry' Note model."
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2021) or the Samsung Galaxy Note20
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.
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,400
Recommendations made
86,360
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.