Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021) vs. Motorola Edge (2021): A Detailed Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Edge 5G UW (2021) edges out the standard Edge due to its superior 5G UW connectivity and slightly improved antenna design. While performance and core features are largely identical, the UW model's enhanced network capabilities make it a better choice for users in areas with strong C-Band 5G coverage. Otherwise, they are very similar.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021) | Motorola Edge (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, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Verizon, USA | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| 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, October 14 | 2021, August 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 14 | Available. Released 2021, September 02 |
| 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 | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| 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 550 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021)
- Superior 5G UW connectivity
- Excellent display
- Capable camera system
- Smooth 144Hz refresh rate
- 30W charging is relatively slow
- Software updates can be inconsistent
Motorola Edge (2021)
- Excellent display
- Capable camera system
- Smooth 144Hz refresh rate
- Generally more affordable
- Standard 5G connectivity
- 30W charging is relatively slow
- Software updates can be inconsistent
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, resulting in a pixel density of around 412 ppi. There's little to differentiate them visually; both provide an excellent viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The camera systems are nearly identical. Both feature a 108MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The front-facing camera is a 32MP shooter. Image quality is comparable in most conditions, with both phones capturing detailed photos and videos. Low-light performance is decent but not exceptional.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, both devices deliver snappy performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The octa-core CPU and Adreno 642L GPU handle most workloads with ease. Differences in real-world performance are negligible due to identical hardware.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 4500mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. The 30W wired charging is adequate but not the fastest available. Charging times are similar for both devices.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021)? Users prioritizing the fastest possible 5G speeds, particularly those in areas with C-Band 5G coverage, will benefit most. Who should buy the Motorola Edge (2021)? Those seeking a well-rounded mid-range phone with a great display and camera, and who don't necessarily need the absolute best 5G speeds, will find the standard Edge a solid option.