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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera quality and are willing to pay for premium features, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will serve you well with its high-resolution cameras and video recording capabilities. On the other hand, the Motorola Edge (2021) is more budget-friendly with a lower price and still offers good camera features and a large screen. For best performance and screen quality, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is superior. However, if cost is a significant factor and you're looking for a phone with a decent camera and a large display, the Motorola Edge (2021) is a solid choice. 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 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.2
9.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a significantly superior camera setup compared to the Motorola Edge (2021), especially in key areas like selfie quality, where the Galaxy S23 Ultra is rated as 'very good', in stark contrast to the 'poor' rating of the Motorola Edge (2021). Additionally, the Galaxy S23 Ultra excels in photo and video performance across the board – including software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility – while the Motorola Edge (2021) consistently shows weaker capabilities in these aspects.
Photo Quality
5.3
9.5
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) suffers in photo quality due to its poor photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, which also reflects in a lower selfie quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels with its very good photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, and it stands out with its excellent selfie quality and camera versatility.
Video Quality
4.7
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos partly because it has fair video software and stabilization, with poor performance in video dynamic range, low light, and mic quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels in capturing videos due to its very good ratings across video resolution and framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality.
Battery
8.7 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$165
$1,200
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a price of $165 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Motorola Edge (2021) and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Edge (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$165 | $1,200 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2460 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 395 | 501 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD778G | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.7 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 8.25 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, 270 | |
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 | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, 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 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | March 2023
"The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t just want a place at the top right now; it expects to stay there. Samsung’s excellent update commitment and connectivity standards will keep its flagship feeling fresh for years to come, and the high-end materials will put up with more than their share of wear and tear. It might be more than most users need in terms of size, power, and cost, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness."
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2021) or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
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.
By the numbers
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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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