Motorola Edge S vs OnePlus 9RT 5G: Which Snapdragon Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a balance of performance and value, the Motorola Edge S emerges as the winner. While the OnePlus 9RT boasts faster 65W charging and a more powerful Snapdragon 888, the Edge S’s Snapdragon 870 provides excellent performance at a potentially lower price point, making it a more sensible all-rounder.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Edge S | OnePlus 9RT 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 26 | 2021, October 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February 03 | Available. Released 2021, October 19 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 168.4 x 74 x 9.7 mm (6.63 x 2.91 x 0.38 in) | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) |
| Water repellent design | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10, 560 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, ring flash (macro mode), panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56”, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 121˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm, PDAF TOF 3D Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 6K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Ready For support | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 65W wired, 100% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver | Hacker Black, Nano Silver, Blue |
| Models | - | MT2110, MT2111 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 590 EUR |
Motorola Edge S
- Excellent value for money
- Snapdragon 870 offers strong, efficient performance
- Potentially better thermal management
- Slower 20W charging
- Likely less refined display and camera system
OnePlus 9RT 5G
- Blazing-fast 65W charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
- Likely superior display and camera quality
- Snapdragon 888 can run hot and throttle
- Higher price point
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, we can infer differences. The OnePlus 9RT likely features a higher quality AMOLED panel with potentially higher peak brightness and color accuracy, benefiting from OnePlus’s history of display optimization. The Motorola Edge S, aiming for value, may utilize a slightly less refined panel, though still likely AMOLED. The absence of refresh rate data is notable; both would likely target 120Hz, but the quality of implementation (LTPO vs fixed) would be a differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, analysis is limited. However, the OnePlus 9RT, positioned as a more premium device, likely features a more sophisticated camera system with a larger main sensor and improved image processing. The Snapdragon 888’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more advanced, enabling better noise reduction and dynamic range. Motorola typically focuses on computational photography, so the Edge S might offer competitive image quality despite potentially having less advanced hardware. The absence of OIS information is critical; its presence on the 9RT would be a significant advantage for low-light photography and video stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 9RT’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) offers a theoretical performance advantage over the Motorola Edge S’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core provides a significant boost in single-core performance, crucial for responsive UI and app loading. However, the 7nm process of the 870 often translates to better thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. The 888 is known to run hotter, requiring more aggressive cooling solutions. While both utilize octa-core configurations, the architectural differences – Cortex-A78 in the 9RT vs Kryo 585 in the Edge S – contribute to the 888’s edge in raw processing power. The 9RT's potential for LPDDR5 RAM (likely) versus the Edge S's unspecified RAM speed could further widen the performance gap.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 9RT’s 65W wired charging is a game-changer, promising a full charge in just 29 minutes. This is a substantial advantage over the Motorola Edge S’s 20W charging, which will take considerably longer. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the 9RT mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The Snapdragon 888’s higher power consumption, however, could offset some of the charging advantage, requiring more frequent top-ups compared to the more efficient Snapdragon 870 in the Edge S.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Edge S if you need a powerful, capable smartphone without breaking the bank, and aren't overly concerned with the absolute fastest charging speeds. It's ideal for users who prioritize sustained performance over peak bursts. Buy the OnePlus 9RT 5G if you prefer a more polished software experience, demand the fastest possible charging (fully charging in under 30 minutes), and frequently engage in demanding tasks like extended gaming sessions where the Snapdragon 888's raw power can be fully utilized.