Motorola Edge (2021) vs. Edge 5G UW (2021): A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Edge 5G UW offers a slight edge thanks to its UW band support, providing potentially faster and more reliable 5G connectivity in supported areas. However, the standard Edge (2021) is often more readily available and potentially more affordable, making it a strong contender for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Edge (2021) | Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021) |
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Verizon, USA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 19 | 2021, October 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 02 | Available. Released 2021, October 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Water-repellent design | Water-repellent design | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LCD, 144Hz, HDR10 | LCD, 144Hz, HDR10 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 | Android 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone 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 | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Nebula Blue | Nebula Blue |
| Models | XT2141-1 | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 550 EUR |
Motorola Edge (2021)
- Excellent OLED display
- Smooth 144Hz refresh rate
- Capable Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Good camera system
- 30W charging is relatively slow
- No microSD card slot
- Plastic build
Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021)
- Excellent OLED display
- Smooth 144Hz refresh rate
- Capable Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Good camera system
- UW 5G support (where available)
- 30W charging is relatively slow
- No microSD card slot
- Plastic build
- Potentially limited availability
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The resolution is 2520 x 1080 pixels, providing a sharp image. There's little to differentiate them here; both offer an excellent viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The camera systems are nearly identical. Both feature a 108MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide, and a 2MP depth sensor. Image quality will be very similar in most conditions. Software processing differences might lead to slight variations in color and dynamic range, but overall, expect comparable results.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, both devices deliver smooth performance for everyday tasks and even moderate gaming. The CPU and GPU are identical, so expect similar performance benchmarks. Real-world usage will feel largely the same.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 4500mAh battery, and with 30W wired charging, expect roughly similar charging times and battery life. You can realistically expect a full day of moderate use from either device.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Motorola Edge (2021)? Users prioritizing availability and potentially a lower price point, and who don't require the specific UW bands. Who should buy the Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021)? Users in areas with UW 5G coverage who want the best possible 5G speeds and reliability, and are willing to pay a slight premium.