Motorola Edge (2022) vs. Edge 5G UW (2021): A Detailed Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Edge (2022) generally edges out the Edge 5G UW thanks to its more powerful chipset, faster charging (including wireless), and reverse wireless charging. However, the Edge 5G UW might offer better value if you find it at a significantly lower price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Edge (2022) | 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, 20, 29, 30, 40, 41, 48, 66 | 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, 30, 66 SA/NSA | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Verizon, USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 18 | 2021, October 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 22 | Available. Released 2021, October 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 mm (6.33 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) | 169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Water-repellent design | Water-repellent design | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ | LCD, 144Hz, HDR10 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14 | Android 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 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 | 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@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.7µm | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Grey | Nebula Blue |
| Price | $ 98.84 | About 550 EUR |
Motorola Edge (2022)
- More powerful chipset (Dimensity 1050)
- Wireless charging
- Reverse wireless charging
- Slightly better camera performance
- Faster wired charging (30W)
- Potentially higher price
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021)
- Generally more affordable
- Solid camera system
- Good display quality
- 5G connectivity
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 778G 5G)
- No wireless charging
- Slower charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature OLED displays with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and vibrant colors. The Edge (2022) typically has slightly better brightness and color accuracy, though the difference is subtle. Both offer a similar viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer versatile camera systems. The Edge (2022) generally captures slightly more detailed photos, especially in low light, thanks to its improved image processing. The Edge 5G UW's camera is still very capable, producing pleasing images in most conditions. Video recording is comparable on both.
Performance
The Edge (2022)'s MediaTek Dimensity 1050 provides a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 778G 5G in the Edge 5G UW. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 2022 model. The Dimensity 1050's efficiency also contributes to better sustained performance.
Battery Life
The Edge (2022) has a slightly larger battery capacity and benefits from 30W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The Edge 5G UW is limited to 30W wired charging. The Edge (2022)'s more efficient chipset also contributes to slightly better battery life overall.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Edge (2022) is ideal for users who prioritize performance, faster charging, and the convenience of wireless charging. The Edge 5G UW is a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a capable 5G smartphone with a solid camera and display, especially if it's available at a discounted price.