Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Features

The Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) and Google Pixel 6 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the Android flagship space. The Motorola prioritizes raw processing power with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, while the Pixel 6 Pro focuses on Google’s Tensor chip and its AI-driven features. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing peak performance and rapid charging, the Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 delivers superior processing power, and the 68W charging significantly outperforms the Pixel 6 Pro’s 23W. However, the Pixel 6 Pro’s unique software experience and camera processing remain compelling advantages.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) Google Pixel 6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GLUOG, G8VOU
5G bands2, 5, 7, 12, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Verizon, USA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G8VOU
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GLUOG
Launch
Announced2022, January 242021, October 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 24Available. Released 2021, October 28
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)210 g (7.41 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Triple50 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 Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 104mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Video8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging68W wired, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4800 mAhLi-Ion 5003 mAh
Misc
ColorsCosmos Blue, Stardust WhiteCloudy White, Sorta Sunny, Stormy Black
Models-GLUOG, G8VOU, GF5KQ
PriceAbout 850 EUR€ 199.99 / $ 204.99 / £ 275.00 / ₹ 29,699
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 84h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 585485 (v8), 719815 (v9) GeekBench: 2831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39 fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022)

  • Significantly faster 68W wired charging
  • More powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Software updates may be less frequent than Pixel
  • Camera processing may not be as refined as Pixel

Google Pixel 6 Pro

  • Superior AI and machine learning capabilities
  • Exceptional camera software and features
  • Guaranteed timely software updates

  • Slower 23W wired charging
  • Tensor chip may throttle under sustained load
  • Potentially less raw processing power

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 846 nits, offering excellent visibility in direct sunlight. While the Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022)'s display specs aren't provided, Motorola typically uses high-quality panels. The Pixel 6 Pro’s contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal), suggesting a true OLED experience. Both phones likely utilize high refresh rate displays, but the Pixel 6 Pro’s LTPO technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate for improved efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Motorola. The Pixel 6 Pro’s curved display edges contribute to a more immersive viewing experience, though some users may prefer the flat panel potentially found on the Motorola.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 6 Pro is renowned for its computational photography prowess, driven by the Tensor chip’s image signal processor. While specific sensor details aren’t provided for either phone, the Pixel 6 Pro’s image processing algorithms are a key differentiator, offering features like Magic Eraser and Face Unblur. The Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) likely relies more on hardware capabilities, but without sensor size information, a direct comparison is difficult. The Pixel 6 Pro’s focus on software-based enhancements provides a distinct advantage for users who prioritize image quality and editing features. We'll disregard the likely inclusion of low-resolution macro lenses on both devices as they offer minimal practical benefit.

Performance

The Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) is powered by the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a prime Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.00 GHz. This architecture is designed for sustained peak performance. In contrast, the Google Pixel 6 Pro utilizes Google’s Tensor chip (5nm), with a CPU configuration of 2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 cores. While the Tensor chip excels in AI tasks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 generally offers superior raw CPU and GPU performance. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 provides better thermal efficiency than the 5nm Tensor, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Motorola also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5x RAM, though this isn't explicitly stated.

Battery Life

Both the Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) and the Google Pixel 6 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 84 hours, suggesting comparable overall battery life. However, their charging capabilities differ significantly. The Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) supports 68W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in just 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes. The Pixel 6 Pro is limited to 23W wired charging, taking 30 minutes to reach 50%. The Motorola also offers 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, while the Pixel 6 Pro matches the 23W wireless charging and includes reverse wireless charging. The Motorola’s faster charging is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, demanding applications, or frequent multitasking, and value the fastest possible charging speeds. Buy the Google Pixel 6 Pro if you prefer a refined software experience with exclusive features like Magic Eraser, prioritize computational photography, and appreciate a more balanced overall package.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Google Tensor chip in the Pixel 6 Pro overheat during demanding tasks like video recording or gaming?
While the Tensor chip is powerful, its 5nm process and thermal design can lead to throttling under sustained heavy loads. Users have reported some heat buildup during extended gaming sessions or 4K video recording, potentially impacting performance over time. The Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022)'s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, with its 4nm process, is generally better equipped to handle prolonged intensive tasks.
❓ How does the Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022)'s charging speed compare to other flagship phones?
The Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022)'s 68W wired charging is exceptionally fast, placing it among the quickest charging flagships available. It significantly outperforms the Pixel 6 Pro’s 23W charging and rivals or exceeds the charging speeds of many other popular devices. This allows for a substantial battery top-up in a very short amount of time.
❓ What are the real-world benefits of the Google Pixel 6 Pro's AI-powered camera features?
The Pixel 6 Pro’s Tensor chip enables features like Magic Eraser, which removes unwanted objects from photos, and Face Unblur, which sharpens blurry faces. These features leverage machine learning to enhance image quality and provide editing capabilities not found on most other smartphones. They are particularly useful for improving photos taken in challenging conditions or correcting minor imperfections.