Motorola Edge 2021 vs. 2022: A Head-to-Head Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Edge (2022) offers a noticeable upgrade in performance thanks to the Dimensity 1050 chipset and adds convenient wireless and reverse wired charging. While the 2021 model remains a solid choice, the 2022's improvements make it the better overall value, especially if performance and charging flexibility are priorities.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Edge (2021) | Motorola Edge (2022) |
| 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 |
| 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, 14, 20, 29, 30, 40, 41, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 2, 5, 30, 66 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 19 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 02 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 mm (6.33 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Water-repellent design | Water-repellent design | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LCD, 144Hz, HDR10 | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 |
| OS | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/1.5, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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/6e, tri-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 | 30W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Nebula Blue | Grey |
| Models | XT2141-1 | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 98.84 |
Motorola Edge (2021)
- Clean Android experience
- Good value for the price
- Decent camera performance
- Smooth 144Hz display
- Slower processor compared to 2022
- No wireless charging
- Less refined image processing
Motorola Edge (2022)
- Faster processor (Dimensity 1050)
- Wireless charging
- Reverse wired charging
- Slightly improved camera processing
- Modern design
- Slightly higher price
- Potential for slightly less battery life due to wireless charging features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals. However, the 2022 model might have slightly improved color accuracy and brightness due to potential panel refinements, though this is difficult to definitively confirm without direct testing. Both offer a similar viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a triple-camera system, typically including a 50MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a depth sensor. While both capture decent images, the 2022 model's image processing algorithms are likely improved, resulting in slightly better dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. Video recording capabilities are comparable.
Performance
The Motorola Edge (2022) boasts a significant performance advantage with its MediaTek Dimensity 1050 chipset. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 778G in the 2021 model. The 2022's CPU configuration also offers a slight edge in multi-core performance.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 4500mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. The Edge (2022) gains an advantage with 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to top up quickly and even use it to charge other devices.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Edge (2021) is a good option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize a clean Android experience and a decent camera. The Motorola Edge (2022) is ideal for users who want a faster processor, improved charging options (wireless and reverse), and a slightly more modern design, and are willing to spend a bit more.