Motorola Edge 20 vs Edge 20 Lite: The Ultimate Showdown

Motorola's Edge series offers compelling mid-range smartphones, but choosing between the Edge 20 and Edge 20 Lite can be tricky. Both phones boast attractive designs and competitive pricing, but significant differences lie beneath the surface. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which model best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Edge 20 takes the crown thanks to its superior chipset, brighter display, and notably better camera capabilities. While the Edge 20 Lite offers a more budget-friendly option, the Edge 20's performance and features justify the price difference for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 20 Motorola Edge 20 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 66 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, July 292021, July 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 16Available. Released 2021, August 16
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 3)Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163 x 76 x 7 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.28 in)165.9 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.53 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight163 g (5.75 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 Water-repellent designWater-repellent design
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G57 MC3
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm, AF108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired30W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsFrosted Grey, Frosted White, Frosted EmeraldElectric Graphite, Lagoon Green
ModelsXT2143-1XT2139-1
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 160 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 86h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -28.7 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 424031 (v8), 488574 (v9) GeekBench: 2550 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Motorola Edge 20

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
  • Brighter Display (650 nits)
  • Better Camera System
  • 90Hz Refresh Rate
  • Excellent Battery Life (86h Endurance)

  • Higher Price
  • Potentially Larger Size/Weight

Motorola Edge 20 Lite

  • More Affordable
  • Decent Battery Life
  • Reliable for Everyday Tasks

  • Weaker Performance (Dimensity 720)
  • Lower Brightness Display
  • Less Capable Camera
  • 60Hz Refresh Rate

Display Comparison

The Edge 20 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 650 nits peak brightness, compared to the Edge 20 Lite's likely lower brightness (estimated around 400-500 nits based on typical Dimensity 720 phone displays). Both feature OLED panels, offering excellent contrast and vibrant colors, but the Edge 20's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The Edge 20 also has a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz vs 60Hz on the Lite), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

The Edge 20's camera system is generally considered superior. While both phones offer versatile camera setups, the 778G's image signal processor (ISP) provides better image processing, resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos and videos. The Edge 20 likely has better low-light performance and video stabilization. Specific sensor details are needed for a more precise comparison, but the chipset advantage gives the Edge 20 a clear edge.

Performance

The Edge 20's Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset is a clear winner here. It offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance than the Edge 20 Lite's Dimensity 720. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The 778G's efficiency also contributes to better overall power management. The Edge 20 Lite is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The provided Endurance rating of 86h for the Edge 20 is exceptionally high and suggests excellent battery life. The Edge 20 Lite's battery life is likely good, but not as impressive as the Edge 20. Both phones support 30W wired charging, offering reasonably fast charging speeds.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Edge 20 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a vibrant display. It's a great choice for those who enjoy gaming, photography, and streaming. The Motorola Edge 20 Lite is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks and don't require top-tier performance or camera features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Motorola Edge 20 Lite worth buying?
The Edge 20 Lite is a decent budget option for basic smartphone use. However, if you can stretch your budget, the Edge 20 offers a significantly better experience.
❓ Which Motorola Edge has the better camera?
The Motorola Edge 20 has the better camera due to its more powerful chipset and likely superior image processing capabilities.