If camera quality is a top priority, the Sony Xperia 1 III offers better photo and video performance, along with the ability to record HDR video, but it is more expensive. On the other hand, the Motorola Edge (2021) provides longer battery life and a larger screen, making it suitable for extended use and media consumption, and it's available for a midrange price. The Sony has a higher quality display with better brightness and sharpness, whereas the Motorola has a plastic back compared to Sony's glass, impacting durability and feel. Both run Android but have different additional features such as wireless charging and a headphone jack exclusive to the Sony. 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 Sony Xperia 1 III
Best in class display quality
Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.2/10
6.0/10
The Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a poor camera performance, especially highlighted by its less versatile camera system and inferior selfie quality, while the Sony Xperia 1 III offers a fair camera experience with better software for photos and a more versatile set of cameras.
Photo Quality
5.3/10
5.9/10
The Sony Xperia 1 III and Motorola Edge (2021) both have poor photos, though the Sony Xperia 1 III takes somewhat better photos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) suffers from a poor selfie camera performance, a crucial factor for many users, while the Sony Xperia 1 III fares better with a fair selfie experience. Additionally, when considering other important camera aspects such as resolution, software, dynamic range, and low-light performance, the Sony Xperia 1 III offers a notably better experience, further differentiating the two.
Video Quality
4.7/10
6.0/10
The Sony Xperia 1 III takes only fair videos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos largely due to its subpar video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as a fair rating for both video software experience and microphone quality. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 1 III takes fair videos, benefiting from better video software experience and stabilization, along with fair dynamic range and low light performance, but its microphone quality is also only rated good, which may affect overall video sound capture.
Battery
8.7 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$165
$899
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a price of $165 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
"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."
"For those who enjoy Sony’s Android phones, or who want a top-tier smartphone with a versatile camera, a beautiful screen and strong battery life, this is a great choice. If your budget can stretch to it, and you're a fan of its looks, it could be a great option."
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2021) or the Sony Xperia 1 III
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 Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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
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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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