Motorola Edge (2021) vs. Edge+ (2020): A Detailed Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Edge+ (2020) boasts a significantly faster Snapdragon 865 processor and a better camera system, alongside wireless charging. However, the Edge (2021) offers a more modern chipset, faster charging, and often a lower price point, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Edge (2021) | Motorola Edge+ (2020) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66, 71 - Global |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 5, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (6CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | 2, 5, 66, 260, 261 mmWave/Sub6 - Verizon | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 19 | 2020, April 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 02 | Available. Released 2020, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 161.1 x 71.4 x 9.6 mm (6.34 x 2.81 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 203 g (7.16 oz) |
| Water-repellent design | Water-repellent coating | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~95.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LCD, 144Hz, HDR10 | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 81mm (telephoto), 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm, AF TOF 3D, (depth) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 6K@30fps, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm | 25 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.9µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 18W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Nebula Blue | Smokey Sangria, Thunder Grey, Baltic Gray |
| Models | XT2141-1 | XT2061-3 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 670 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 574155 (v8) GeekBench: 3295 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Edge (2021)
- Faster Charging (30W)
- More Modern Chipset (Snapdragon 778G)
- Generally More Affordable
- Good Value for Money
- Less Powerful Processor
- LCD Display (likely)
- Less Versatile Camera System
- No Wireless Charging
Motorola Edge+ (2020)
- Flagship Performance (Snapdragon 865)
- Superior Camera System
- Wireless Charging
- Excellent Battery Life (100h Endurance)
- OLED Display (likely)
- Slower Wired Charging (18W)
- Older Chipset
- Higher Price (potentially)
- Reverse Wireless Charging may be limited
Display Comparison
The Edge+ (2020) features a stunning display with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (likely OLED), offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Edge (2021) likely uses an LCD panel, which is generally less impressive in terms of contrast and color accuracy, though still perfectly usable. Both offer high refresh rates for smooth scrolling.
Camera Comparison
The Edge+ (2020) generally has a more versatile and higher-quality camera system. It typically includes a main lens, ultrawide, and telephoto lens, offering greater zoom capabilities and better low-light performance. The Edge (2021) has a capable camera, but it doesn't match the Edge+'s overall photographic prowess.
Performance
Here, the Edge+ (2020) takes a clear lead. The Snapdragon 865 is a flagship-level chip, significantly faster than the Snapdragon 778G in the Edge (2021). While the 778G is capable, the 865 handles demanding games and multitasking with greater ease. Expect snappier performance and faster app loading times on the Edge+.
Battery Life
The Edge (2021) benefits from a more efficient 6nm chipset, potentially leading to slightly better battery life in some scenarios. However, the Edge+ (2020) has a larger battery capacity and an impressive endurance rating of 100h, suggesting excellent longevity. The Edge (2021)'s 30W charging is faster than the Edge+ (2020)'s 18W wired charging.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Edge (2021) is ideal for users prioritizing a smooth experience for everyday tasks, gaming, and content consumption without breaking the bank. The Edge+ (2020) is best suited for power users, photography enthusiasts, and those who value premium features like wireless charging and top-tier performance.