Motorola Edge+ (2020) vs Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Launched in early 2020, both the Motorola Edge+ and Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G represented the pinnacle of Android flagship design. However, they took different approaches. The Edge+ prioritized raw performance and battery endurance, while the S20+ aimed for a more polished, feature-rich experience. With prices now significantly lower, these phones offer compelling value, but which one reigns supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Edge+ (2020) offers a better value proposition. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset, coupled with a larger endurance rating, delivers consistently strong performance and all-day battery life. While the S20+ boasts a more refined software experience and faster charging, the Edge+'s raw power and longevity are more impactful for demanding users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge+ (2020) Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - GlobalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66, 71 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - SM-G986B
5G bands5, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G986B
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, April 22. Released 2020, May 142020, February 11
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, March 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.1 x 71.4 x 9.6 mm (6.34 x 2.81 x 0.38 in)161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.37 x 2.90 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~95.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - GlobalQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) - USA
GPUAdreno 650Mali-G77 MP11 - GlobalAdreno 650 - USA
OSAndroid 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 81mm (telephoto), 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm, AF TOF 3D, (depth)12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.0, (depth)
Video6K@30fps, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single25 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.9µm10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30/120fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsSmokey Sangria, Thunder Grey, Baltic GrayCosmic Black, Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud White, Aura Red, Aura Blue
ModelsXT2061-3SM-G986, SM-G986F, SM-G986F/DS, SM-G986U, SM-G986U1, SM-G9860, SM-G986B/DS, SM-G986N, SM-G986B, SM-G986W, SCG02
PriceAbout 670 EUR$ 174.17 / C$ 684.99 / € 299.97
SAR-1.08 W/kg (head)     1.02 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.57 W/kg (body)

Motorola Edge+ (2020)

  • Exceptional battery endurance (100h rating)
  • Powerful Snapdragon 865 processor
  • Clean Android software experience
  • Competitive display brightness

  • Slower wired charging (18W)
  • Limited camera details in provided data

Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G

  • Faster wired charging (25W with PD3.0)
  • More versatile camera system (likely)
  • Vibrant Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
  • Established brand ecosystem

  • Potential thermal throttling (Exynos variant)
  • Shorter battery life compared to Edge+

Display Comparison

The Galaxy S20+ 5G features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors and excellent contrast. However, the Motorola Edge+ (2020) isn't far behind, achieving a measured peak brightness of 607 nits. While the S20+ likely has superior color accuracy and potentially a higher refresh rate (not specified in the data, but standard for the S20+ line), the Edge+'s brightness is competitive. Both utilize a 7nm+ manufacturing process for their respective chipsets, indirectly impacting power draw and therefore display-on time. The lack of refresh rate data for the Edge+ is a key omission, but the S20+'s 120Hz option provides smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The context data only mentions 'Photo / Video' capabilities for the Edge+. The S20+ likely boasts a more versatile camera array, including ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, offering greater flexibility in shooting scenarios. Samsung's image processing is known for its vibrant, sometimes oversaturated, look, while Motorola typically aims for a more natural aesthetic. Without specific sensor size and aperture data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the S20+'s likely multi-lens setup provides a broader range of photographic options. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the S20+ is largely a marketing gimmick and offers minimal practical benefit.

Performance

The chipset is where things get interesting. The USA variant of the S20+ 5G also utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+), mirroring the Edge+. Globally, the S20+ shipped with the Exynos 990 (7 nm+). The Snapdragon 865, found in both the US S20+ and the Edge+, features an octa-core CPU configuration with a 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 prime core, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 performance cores, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. The Exynos 990, however, uses a different core arrangement (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). While on paper the Exynos appears faster, real-world performance often favors the Snapdragon due to superior thermal management and optimized software. The Edge+ benefits from a cleaner Android skin, minimizing overhead and maximizing the Snapdragon's potential. Users should be aware of potential throttling on the Exynos variant of the S20+ during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge+ (2020) boasts an endurance rating of 100 hours, a significant advantage over the S20+ 5G. While the S20+ offers faster wired charging at 25W (with PD3.0 support) compared to the Edge+'s 18W, the Edge+'s superior endurance means you'll likely need to charge it less frequently. Both support 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging is available on both, albeit at different wattages (5W for Edge+, 4.5W for S20+). The combination of a larger endurance rating and a cleaner software experience gives the Edge+ a clear edge in battery performance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge+ (2020) if you prioritize sustained performance for gaming or demanding applications, and value long battery life above all else. You'll benefit from a cleaner Android experience and a more aggressive price point. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G if you prefer a more feature-rich software experience, faster charging speeds, and a more established brand ecosystem, and are willing to accept potentially shorter battery life and possible thermal throttling under heavy load.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 990 in the global S20+ 5G overheat during prolonged gaming?
Yes, the Exynos 990 is known to be more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 865, especially during extended gaming sessions or other demanding tasks. This can lead to reduced performance and a less consistent experience. The Motorola Edge+ with its Snapdragon 865 generally maintains cooler temperatures and more stable performance.
❓ Is the 18W charging speed on the Motorola Edge+ (2020) noticeably slower than the 25W charging on the S20+ 5G?
While 25W is faster on paper, the Edge+'s superior battery endurance means you'll likely charge it less often. The difference in charging time for a full charge will be noticeable, but the Edge+'s longer battery life can offset the slower charging speed for many users.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Motorola Edge+ and the Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G?
The Motorola Edge+ offers a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware, providing a cleaner and more responsive interface. The Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G features Samsung's One UI, which is feature-rich but can feel more cluttered and resource-intensive. This difference impacts performance and battery life.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging feature useful on either phone?
Reverse wireless charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches, but it's relatively slow on both phones (5W on the Edge+, 4.5W on the S20+). It's more of a niche feature than a primary charging method.