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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is crucial for you, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 as it overall outperforms the Motorola Edge (2021). Despite being less expensive, the Galaxy S21 boasts better photo and video camera quality. However, if battery life is more important, the Motorola Edge (2021) lasts longer on a single charge. Both phones have plastic backs, similar RAM and storage, but the Edge has a larger 6.8-inch screen compared to the 6.2-inch of the S21, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience at the cost of being slightly larger and heavier. Both run Android, but remember the Edge provides a higher refresh rate which may result in smoother visuals. 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)
- Very 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
5.2
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Motorola Edge (2021) falls short in camera performance with lower evaluations in software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility, including a poor selfie quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 excels in these areas and particularly stands out for its superior selfie camera quality.
Photo Quality
5.3
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a poor selfie camera performance, affecting its ability to capture high-quality selfies, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers good selfie quality, resulting in better self-portraits. Moreover, the Galaxy S21's better photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance contribute to its superior photo-taking capabilities compared to the Motorola Edge (2021).
Video Quality
4.7
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos.
While the Motorola Edge (2021) provides a video performance that can be described as poor due to lower video software experience, limited video stabilization, and weaker low light performance, the Samsung Galaxy S21 delivers good video quality with superior video software experience, effective video stabilization, enhanced dynamic range, better low light capabilities, and higher mic quality. Therefore, if video capturing is a priority, the Galaxy S21 is a superior choice despite any cost differences.
Battery
8.7 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$165
$145
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a price of $165 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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How the Motorola Edge (2021) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Edge (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$165 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 2, 2021 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.8" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2460 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 395 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD778G | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.7 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 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 | 6.65" x 2.98" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 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 | 5.2 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6 | |
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)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 | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Nebula Blue | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Motorola Edge (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
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 (2021) 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.
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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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