Motorola Edge 40 vs Sony Xperia 5 V: A Deep Dive into Two Compelling Flagships

The Motorola Edge 40 and Sony Xperia 5 V represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone. The Edge 40 aims for a balance of features and value, while the Xperia 5 V doubles down on a compact form factor and pro-level multimedia capabilities. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Sony Xperia 5 V emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly better performance and efficiency, translating to smoother multitasking and longer gaming sessions. While the Edge 40 offers faster wired charging, the Xperia 5 V’s overall package is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 40 Sony Xperia 5 V
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, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, May 042023, September 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 04Available. Released 2023, September 25
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, plastic back or eco leather backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions158.4 x 72 x 7.6 mm (6.24 x 2.83 x 0.30 in)154 x 68 x 8.6 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight167 g or 171 g (5.89 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, BT.2020
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, upgradable to Android 15
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
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, AF48 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.35", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 Moto Ready For support-
Battery
Charging68W wired 15W wireless30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsNebula Green, Lunar Blue, Eclipse Black, Viva MagentaBlack, Blue, Platinum Silver
ModelsXT2303-2XQ-DE54
Price€ 202.03 / $ 419.99 / £ 199.00 / ₹ 29,999€ 999.99 / $ 1,444.00
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 98h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -24.2 LUFS (Very good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 688347 (v9) GeekBench: 3320 (v5.1), 3603 (v6) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Motorola Edge 40

  • Faster 68W Wired Charging
  • Brighter Display (1043 nits)
  • Potentially Lower Price

  • Less Powerful Dimensity 8020 Chipset
  • Lower Endurance Rating
  • Less Efficient Processor

Sony Xperia 5 V

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Superior Performance
  • Longer Battery Life (130h Endurance)
  • Compact and Premium Design

  • Slower 30W Wired Charging
  • Dimmer Display (746 nits)
  • Higher Price

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 40 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1043 nits, compared to the Xperia 5 V’s 746 nits. This makes the Edge 40 more usable in direct sunlight. However, Sony’s display technology is known for its color accuracy, and while peak brightness is lower, the overall viewing experience is likely more color-accurate. Both displays feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. The Xperia 5 V’s smaller 6.1-inch screen contributes to its compact design, appealing to users who prefer one-handed operation, while the Edge 40’s larger screen is better for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but details are limited in the provided data. We can assume both capture both photo and video. The Xperia 5 V’s advantage likely lies in Sony’s image processing expertise, honed from their professional camera division. Sensor size and lens apertures are crucial, but absent from the data. The Edge 40’s camera system is likely tuned for vibrant, social media-ready images, while the Xperia 5 V may prioritize more natural and accurate color reproduction. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) makes it difficult to assess low-light performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Sony Xperia 5 V is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), a significantly more powerful and efficient processor than the Motorola Edge 40’s MediaTek Dimensity 8020 (6nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s octa-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, provides a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 4nm process node also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While the Dimensity 8020 is a capable chip, it simply cannot match the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s raw power and efficiency.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 5 V claims an endurance rating of 130 hours, while the Motorola Edge 40 has a rating of 98 hours. However, endurance ratings are based on a standardized test and don't always reflect real-world usage. The Xperia 5 V’s active use score of 16:19h provides a more concrete measure of battery life. The Edge 40 offers faster wired charging at 68W, compared to the Xperia 5 V’s 30W, with the Sony claiming a 50% charge in 30 minutes. The Xperia 5 V also supports wireless and reverse wireless charging, offering greater convenience. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s efficiency likely contributes to the Xperia 5 V’s longer battery life despite the slower charging speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 40 if you prioritize fast charging speeds and a slightly lower price point, and don't require the absolute peak performance for demanding tasks. Buy the Sony Xperia 5 V if you value a compact, premium design, top-tier processing power, and a more refined software experience, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 8020 in the Motorola Edge 40 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 8020 is a capable chip, but its 6nm process node is less efficient than the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This means it's more likely to generate heat during prolonged gaming, potentially leading to thermal throttling and reduced performance. While not unusable for gaming, the Xperia 5 V will offer a smoother, more consistent experience.
❓ How does the 30W charging on the Sony Xperia 5 V compare to the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge 40 in real-world use?
While 68W sounds significantly faster, the Xperia 5 V’s charging is optimized with PD3.0 and PPS standards. The difference in 0-100% charge times may not be as dramatic as the wattage suggests, especially considering the Xperia 5 V’s larger battery capacity. The Edge 40 will charge faster initially, but the Xperia 5 V’s efficiency and battery life may offset this advantage.
❓ Is the compact size of the Sony Xperia 5 V a disadvantage for media consumption?
The Xperia 5 V’s 6.1-inch screen is smaller than the Edge 40’s, which could be less immersive for watching videos or browsing the web. However, Sony’s display technology and color accuracy provide a high-quality viewing experience, and the compact size makes it more comfortable to hold and use one-handed.