Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021) vs. Motorola Edge 30: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Motorola's Edge series consistently delivers solid mid-range smartphones. The Edge 5G UW (2021) offered a compelling package, but the newer Edge 30 aims to improve upon it. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Edge 30 edges out the Edge 5G UW (2021) thanks to its slightly faster processor, improved charging speed, and generally more modern design. While the UW model offers carrier aggregation benefits, the Edge 30 provides a more well-rounded experience for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021)	Motorola Edge 30

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, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands	2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Verizon, USA	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2021, October 14	2022, April 27
Status	Available. Released 2021, October 14	Available. Released 2022, May 12

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)	159.4 x 74.2 x 6.8 mm (6.28 x 2.92 x 0.27 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	200 g (7.05 oz)	155 g (5.47 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 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size	6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LCD, 144Hz, HDR10	AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm)
GPU	Adreno 642L	Adreno 642L
OS	Android 11	Android 12, upgradable to Android 14

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED 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	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10, 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, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	30W wired	33W wired
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 4020 mAh

Misc
Colors	Nebula Blue	Meteor Grey, Supermoon Silver, Aurora Green
Models	-	XT2203-1
Price	About 550 EUR	$ 529.00 / € 168.00

Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021)

Larger Display
108MP Main Camera
Verizon 5G UW Support
Good Value

Slightly Slower Processor
30W Charging
Larger Size Less Pocketable

Motorola Edge 30

Slightly Faster Processor
33W Charging
More Compact Design
Improved Video Stabilization

Smaller Battery
50MP Main Camera (slightly less detail in some conditions)
No 5G UW Support

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals. The Edge 30 boasts a slightly smaller 6.5-inch display compared to the Edge 5G UW's 6.8-inch screen. The Edge 30 also has a slightly higher resolution (2400 x 1080 vs 2520 x 1080), resulting in a marginally sharper image. The Edge 30's smaller size makes it more pocketable and easier to handle.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a triple-camera system. The Edge 5G UW has a 108MP main sensor, while the Edge 30 has a 50MP main sensor. While megapixels aren't everything, the Edge 5G UW often produces slightly more detailed images in good lighting. The Edge 30 excels in video recording with improved stabilization. Both phones offer decent ultrawide and depth sensors.

Performance

The Edge 30's Snapdragon 778G+ is a slightly overclocked version of the 778G found in the Edge 5G UW. This translates to a noticeable, though not massive, performance boost in everyday tasks and gaming. Both phones handle multitasking well, but the Edge 30 feels a bit snappier. The Edge 30 also benefits from potentially more optimized software.

Battery Life

The Edge 5G UW has a 4500mAh battery, while the Edge 30 has a 4020mAh battery. Despite the smaller capacity, the Edge 30 often delivers comparable or slightly better battery life due to its more efficient processor and software optimizations. The Edge 30 also supports 33W charging, a slight improvement over the Edge 5G UW's 30W charging.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021) is a good choice for Verizon users who prioritize 5G UW connectivity and a larger screen. The Motorola Edge 30 is ideal for those seeking a more compact, stylish phone with a slightly better performance and faster charging, without needing the UW band support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Motorola Edge 30 support 5G UW?

No, the Motorola Edge 30 does not support 5G UW. It supports standard 5G bands.

❓ Is the Motorola Edge 30 more durable than the Edge 5G UW?

The Edge 30 features Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back, while the Edge 5G UW has Gorilla Glass 3 on the front and a plastic back. This suggests the Edge 30 may be slightly more durable.