Motorola Edge (2023) vs. Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Motorola Edge (2023) aims to deliver a premium experience at a more accessible price point, while the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is unapologetically focused on mobile gaming dominance. This comparison dissects these two very different approaches to the smartphone market, examining where each excels and who will benefit most from their distinct strengths.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing daily tasks and occasional gaming, the Motorola Edge (2023) offers a compelling balance of features and affordability. However, the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is the clear winner for dedicated mobile gamers, justifying its higher price with superior performance, cooling, and gaming-centric features.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge (2023) Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - China
Launch
Announced2023, October 112023, April 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, October 11Available. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather)Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.4 x 72 x 7.6 mm (6.24 x 2.83 x 0.30 in)173 x 77 x 10.3 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 -Built-in motorized cooling air vent (AeroActive Portal) IP54 water resistant 2" OLED display (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC3Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, planned upgrade to Android 14Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.4, (wide), 1/1.5", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, HDR, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.5, 29mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1 (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/k/v/r, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging68W wired 15W wireless65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsEclipse BlackStorm White
Price$ 189.95About 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 131h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1325105 (v9) GeekBench: 5139 (v5.5), 5567 (v6) GFXBench: 107fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge (2023)

  • More affordable price point
  • Sleek and modern design
  • Competitive charging speed (68W)

  • Less powerful processor
  • Likely inferior gaming performance
  • Display brightness likely lower than ROG Phone

Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate

  • Unmatched gaming performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
  • Superior display brightness and refresh rate
  • Faster charging with broader compatibility

  • Significantly higher price
  • Bulky and gamer-centric design
  • Camera may not be top-tier

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1095 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the Motorola Edge (2023). While the Motorola Edge (2023) likely utilizes an OLED panel for vibrant colors, the ROG Phone’s higher brightness ensures excellent visibility outdoors. Both displays feature infinite contrast ratios, typical of OLED technology. The ROG Phone’s higher refresh rate (likely 165Hz, based on ROG Phone history) will provide smoother visuals in supported games, a feature likely absent on the Motorola Edge (2023).

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, historically, focuses on delivering competent but not class-leading camera performance, prioritizing other features. The Motorola Edge (2023) may offer a more balanced camera experience, but without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device would be a significant advantage, but this is unconfirmed. It's reasonable to assume the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate will have more advanced video recording capabilities, given its flagship status.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a flagship processor with a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2GHz, offering substantially more processing power than the Motorola Edge (2023)’s MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s architecture – incorporating Cortex-A715 and A710 cores alongside A510 efficiency cores – is more advanced and efficient than the Dimensity 7030’s Cortex-A78 and A55 configuration. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better sustained performance during demanding games. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the Motorola Edge). However, the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s 65W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC5 support is significantly faster, achieving a full charge in 42 minutes. The Motorola Edge (2023)’s 68W charging is competitive, but the ROG Phone’s charging standards offer broader compatibility. The ROG Phone also includes 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Motorola Edge (2023).

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge (2023) if you need a well-rounded smartphone for everyday use, value a sleek design, and want a smooth experience without breaking the bank. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate if you prioritize uncompromising gaming performance, demand the longest possible gaming sessions, and appreciate specialized features like AirTriggers and advanced cooling systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 7030 in the Motorola Edge (2023) struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Dimensity 7030 is a capable mid-range chip, but it will likely require lower graphics settings and may experience frame drops in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate will handle these games at maximum settings with ease.
❓ How effective is the cooling system on the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate during prolonged gaming sessions?
Asus ROG Phones are renowned for their advanced cooling systems. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate likely incorporates a vapor chamber and other thermal solutions to prevent throttling and maintain peak performance even during extended gaming sessions. This is a key advantage over the Motorola Edge (2023), which lacks a dedicated gaming cooling system.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge (2023) support high refresh rate gaming?
While the Motorola Edge (2023) likely has a standard 60Hz or 90Hz display, it's unlikely to support the high refresh rates (165Hz or higher) found on the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, limiting the smoothness of gameplay in supported titles.
❓ What are the benefits of the PD3.0 and QC5 charging standards supported by the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate?
PD3.0 (Power Delivery) and QC5 (Quick Charge) are fast charging standards that ensure compatibility with a wider range of chargers and deliver optimal charging speeds. This means you can use a variety of chargers to quickly top up the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate's battery.