vivo X51 5G vs. Motorola Edge+ (2023): A Generational Leap in Performance?

The vivo X51 5G, released in 2020, represented a strong mid-range 5G offering. Now, Motorola enters the arena with the 2023 Edge+, a full-fledged flagship powered by the latest Snapdragon silicon. This comparison dissects whether the newer device justifies its price premium or if the X51 5G remains a viable option for budget-conscious users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly superior performance and future-proofing. However, the vivo X51 5G offers a compelling value proposition for those prioritizing affordability and a more manageable size.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X51 5G Motorola Edge+ (2023)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2020, October 21. Released 2020, October 232023, May 02
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, May 19
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.5 x 72.8 x 8 mm (6.24 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
KeyboardQWERTY-
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight181.5 g (6.42 oz)203 g (7.16 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~90.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+OLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 740
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1 UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF, gimbal OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 135mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
Single3.15 MP-
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
BrowserHTML-
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ready For 3.5 support
Battery
Charging33W wired, 57% in 30 min68W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wired 5W reverse wireless
Music playUp to 5 h-
Stand-byUp to 312 h-
Talk timeUp to 3 h-
Type4315 mAhLi-Po 5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsGrayInterstellar Black
ModelsXE710-
PriceAbout 760 EUR$ 298.99
SAR0.35 W/kg (head)     0.95 W/kg (body)     -
SAR EU0.20 W/kg (head)     -
Pricing
256GB 8GB RAM$ 885.00-

vivo X51 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • Potentially more compact and easier to handle
  • Respectable 5G connectivity for its time

  • Significantly slower processor
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Older chipset with limited software support

Motorola Edge+ (2023)

  • Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Ultra-fast 68W wired and 15W wireless charging
  • Superior camera capabilities and image processing

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially larger and heavier design
  • May require more frequent software updates

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature AMOLED panels (based on brand history), the specifics are missing. The Motorola Edge+ (2023) benefits from a more recent manufacturing process, potentially leading to higher peak brightness and improved color accuracy. The X51 5G's display, while good for its time, will likely fall short in outdoor visibility and color gamut coverage. We can assume the Edge+ has a higher refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) likely features a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is far more powerful than the 765G’s, enabling better dynamic range, noise reduction, and low-light performance. While the X51 5G likely offers a decent camera experience, the Edge+ will deliver more consistent and higher-quality results, particularly in challenging conditions. We can expect the Edge+ to have more advanced video recording capabilities as well.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Motorola Edge+ (2023) boasts the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This is a massive upgrade over the vivo X51 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 4nm process node of the 8 Gen 2 provides significantly better power efficiency and thermal management, meaning sustained performance will be far superior, especially during graphically intensive tasks. The Edge+’s CPU architecture (Cortex-X3, A715, A710) is also generations ahead, offering improvements in both single-core and multi-core performance. The X51 5G’s Kryo 475 cores, while competent, simply cannot compete.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge+ (2023) takes a clear lead in charging speed with its 68W wired charging, capable of significantly faster top-ups compared to the X51 5G’s 33W charging. The addition of 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging on the Edge+ provides added convenience. While the X51 5G’s battery capacity is unknown, the Edge+’s more efficient chipset and faster charging mitigate any potential capacity disadvantage. The 68W charging can deliver a 57% charge in 30 minutes on the X51 5G, but the Edge+ will likely achieve a much higher percentage in the same timeframe.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X51 5G if you need a capable 5G phone with a respectable camera and don't demand the absolute highest performance, prioritizing value and a potentially more comfortable in-hand feel. Buy the Motorola Edge+ (2023) if you prioritize raw power for gaming and demanding applications, require the fastest charging speeds, and want a phone that will remain competitive for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 765G in the vivo X51 5G still capable of playing modern mobile games?
The Snapdragon 765G can handle many modern mobile games, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings for demanding titles. Expect frame drops and longer loading times compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Motorola Edge+ (2023), which offers a much smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge+ (2023) compared to the 33W charging on the vivo X51 5G?
The 68W charging on the Edge+ (2023) is significantly faster. While the X51 5G achieves 57% charge in 30 minutes, the Edge+ can likely reach 80-90% in the same timeframe, minimizing downtime and providing a much quicker top-up when you're in a hurry.
❓ Will the vivo X51 5G continue to receive software updates?
Software update support for the vivo X51 5G is likely limited at this point, given its release date in 2020. The Motorola Edge+ (2023) will receive several years of guaranteed updates, ensuring access to the latest features and security patches.