Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate vs. Motorola Edge 40: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Motorola Edge 40 aims for a balance of style and performance in a relatively compact package, while the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is unapologetically focused on delivering the ultimate mobile gaming experience. This comparison dissects these contrasting philosophies, examining how their hardware choices translate into real-world benefits for different users.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a sleek design and all-around usability, the Motorola Edge 40 offers a compelling package. However, the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is the clear winner for dedicated mobile gamers, thanks to its superior chipset, longer battery life, and gaming-centric features.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 40 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, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 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, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 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, May 042023, April 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 04Available. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, plastic back or eco leather backGlass 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)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight167 g or 171 g (5.89 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)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)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 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 8020 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, up to 2 major Android upgradesAndroid 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.4, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 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@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10, 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), 1/3.0", 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.5, 29mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
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, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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, 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, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Moto Ready For support-
Battery
Charging68W wired 15W wireless65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsNebula Green, Lunar Blue, Eclipse Black, Viva MagentaStorm White
ModelsXT2303-2-
Price€ 202.03 / $ 419.99 / £ 199.00 / ₹ 29,999About 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 98h Endurance rating 131h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.2 LUFS (Very good) -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 688347 (v9) GeekBench: 3320 (v5.1), 3603 (v6) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1325105 (v9) GeekBench: 5139 (v5.5), 5567 (v6) GFXBench: 107fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge 40

  • Sleek and compact design
  • Vibrant and color-accurate display
  • Faster wireless charging (15W vs 10W)

  • Less powerful chipset for gaming
  • Shorter battery life
  • Less gaming-focused features

Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate

  • Unmatched gaming performance
  • Exceptional battery life
  • Faster wired charging and reverse charging

  • Bulky and aggressive design
  • Less emphasis on camera quality
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate edges out the Motorola Edge 40 with a measured peak brightness of 1095 nits compared to the Edge 40’s 1043 nits, providing better visibility in direct sunlight. While both offer excellent viewing experiences, the ROG Phone’s larger size and higher brightness are geared towards immersive gaming, while the Edge 40’s display prioritizes color accuracy and a more refined aesthetic. We lack PWM frequency data, but the Edge 40's marketing emphasizes eye comfort, suggesting a potentially higher PWM rate beneficial for sensitive users.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing. Given the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s focus on gaming, its camera system is likely optimized for quick snapshots and social media sharing. The Motorola Edge 40, positioned as a more mainstream flagship, may prioritize image quality and versatility. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the ROG Phone’s camera is unlikely to be a primary selling point, while the Edge 40 may offer a more refined photographic experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2GHz, while the Motorola Edge 40 utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6nm). The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers significantly improved thermal efficiency compared to the 6nm Dimensity 8020, translating to less throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The ROG Phone’s CPU architecture – with its Cortex-X3 and A715/A710 cores – provides a substantial performance advantage over the Edge 40’s Cortex-A78/A55 configuration. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding games and applications.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s endurance rating of 131 hours significantly surpasses the Motorola Edge 40’s 98 hours. This is due to a combination of a larger battery capacity (not specified, but likely significantly larger than the Edge 40’s) and the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. While the Edge 40 supports 68W wired charging and 15W wireless, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate offers 65W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC5 support, achieving a 100% charge in just 42 minutes. The ROG Phone also includes 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Edge 40, allowing it to charge other devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 40 if you need a stylish, pocketable flagship with a vibrant display and solid performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate if you prioritize uncompromising gaming performance, extended battery life during intense sessions, and are willing to accept a larger, more aggressive design.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 8020 in the Motorola Edge 40 throttle under sustained gaming loads?
The Mediatek Dimensity 8020, while a capable chipset, is built on a 6nm process. This means it's more prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. Expect some performance degradation after prolonged use.
❓ What gaming accessories are compatible with the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate?
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is designed to work with a wide range of ROG gaming accessories, including the AeroActive Cooler, Mobile Gamepad, and Kunai Gamepad. These accessories enhance the gaming experience with improved cooling, more precise controls, and a more comfortable grip.
❓ Is the Motorola Edge 40's camera suitable for low-light photography?
Without specific sensor details, it's difficult to say definitively. However, Motorola typically focuses on computational photography to improve low-light performance. Expect decent results, but likely not on par with dedicated camera flagships.
❓ How does the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate handle heat during long gaming sessions?
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate incorporates a sophisticated cooling system, including a vapor chamber and multiple heat dissipation layers. This helps to minimize thermal throttling and maintain consistent performance during extended gaming sessions. The optional AeroActive Cooler further enhances cooling performance.