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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a lower price and are satisfied with a good overall performance without needing the absolute latest features, then the Motorola Edge (2021) could be suitable for you. However, if you value a high-quality camera and display, and a more recent device, the Samsung Galaxy S23 would be the better option despite its higher cost. The Galaxy S23 boasts a better camera setup and an OLED screen, which generally provides more vibrant colors and deeper blacks compared to the LCD screen of the Motorola. Additionally, the Galaxy S23 is equipped with wireless charging and a more robust build with a glass back, in contrast to the plastic back of the Motorola. Keep in mind that the Motorola Edge (2021) may have a longer battery life but slightly larger and heavier form factor compared to the more compact and lighter Galaxy S23. 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 S23.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.2
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has very good overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 boasts excellent cameras due in part to its superior selfie performance and robust overall photography software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, compared to the Motorola Edge (2021), which falls short in these aspects, especially with its poor selfie camera. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S23 offers greater versatility and quality in both photo and video capturing capabilities, whereas the Motorola Edge (2021) has significant room for improvement in camera versatility and video quality.
Photo Quality
5.3
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes very good photos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 produces excellent photos due to its high-resolution cameras, which are supported by very good software for image processing, leading to exceptional dynamic range and low light performance. In contrast, the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos because its cameras have a lower resolution and the device offers a comparatively fair software experience that results in poor dynamic range and low light photo quality.
Video Quality
4.7
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes good videos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) has lower performance in video resolution/framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality for videos compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23, which excels in all these aspects. This makes the Galaxy S23 a better choice for customers looking for a phone with superior video-taking capabilities.
Battery
8.7 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$165
$700
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a price of $165 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 costs $700.
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How the Motorola Edge (2021) and the Samsung Galaxy S23 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Edge (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$165 | $700 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 2, 2021 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.8" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2460 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 395 | 422 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD778G | SD8G2 | |
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 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3900 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" | 5.76" x 2.79" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 5.93 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 | 6e | |
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, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 | |
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 | Pink Gold, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Green, Lime, Graphite | |
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 S23
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | February 2023
"The 6.1-inch S23 is the best reasonably sized Android phone on the market in the US, partly because almost every other Android phone sold here is gigantic. But it’s also a really good device, with a battery that gets through a full day more comfortably than its predecessor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset responsible for some of that battery performance improvement is slightly different — and slightly faster — than the 8 Gen 2 in other Android flagships."
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2021) or the Samsung Galaxy S23
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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