Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) vs. Motorola Edge (2021): A Detailed Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Edge+ 5G UW (2022) is the clear winner for performance and charging speed thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. However, the Edge (2021) remains a strong contender offering a good balance of features and value, especially for those prioritizing affordability and a slightly more compact design.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) | Motorola Edge (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (Dual SIM model only) | 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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 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, 7, 12, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 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-A (CA) Cat20 2000/150 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 | 2022, January 24 | 2021, August 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 24 | Available. Released 2021, September 02 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 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 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ | LCD, 144Hz, HDR10 |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | 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 | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm | 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 |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4 | 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 |
| Ready For support | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 68W wired, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min (advertised) 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Cosmos Blue, Stardust White | Nebula Blue |
| Models | - | XT2141-1 |
| Price | About 850 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022)
- Flagship Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
- Fast 68W Charging
- High Refresh Rate Display (144Hz)
- Versatile Camera System
- Reverse Wireless Charging
- Higher Price
- Potential for Thermal Throttling (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
- Larger Size
Motorola Edge (2021)
- More Affordable
- Good Value for Money
- Solid 5G Performance
- Compact Design (relatively)
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
- Slower 30W Charging
- Less Versatile Camera System
- No Reverse Wireless Charging
Display Comparison
The Edge+ 5G UW (2022) boasts a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smoother visuals and vibrant colors. The Edge (2021) features a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate as well, but generally has slightly lower peak brightness. Both offer excellent viewing experiences, but the Edge+’s slightly better color accuracy and potentially higher brightness give it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
The Edge+ 5G UW (2022) typically features a more versatile camera system, often including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially a telephoto lens for optical zoom. The Edge (2021) has a capable camera setup, but the Edge+ generally captures more detailed photos, especially in low light. Both offer good video recording capabilities.
Performance
Here's where the Edge+ 5G UW (2022) truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 778G 5G in the Edge (2021). Expect noticeably quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance on the Edge+. The Edge (2021) is still capable, but it won't handle demanding tasks as effortlessly.
Battery Life
The Edge+ 5G UW (2022) has a larger battery capacity (4500 mAh vs 4500 mAh in the Edge 2021) and significantly faster 68W wired charging. The 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging are also advantages. The Edge (2021) offers decent battery life with its 30W wired charging, but it can't compete with the Edge+'s charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) is ideal for power users, gamers, and anyone who demands top-tier performance and fast charging. The Motorola Edge (2021) is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a solid 5G experience and a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.