Galaxy S21+ 5G vs Motorola Edge 50

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, released in early 2021, and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, launched in April 2024, represent different generations of Android smartphones. While both devices offer a premium experience, the Edge 50 Pro benefits from more recent technological advancements, particularly in display technology and software longevity. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, a former flagship, still provides robust performance and a capable camera system.

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its release date and the manufacturer's software support policy. These two devices have a notable difference in their update timelines.

• Software Updates: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, launched with Android 11, received its final major Android OS update with Android 15, and its security updates concluded around February 2026. In contrast, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, released with Android 14, is expected to receive three major OS updates, taking it up to Android 17, and four years of security updates, extending support until approximately April 2028.
• Age and Longevity: As of early 2026, the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G has reached the end of its official software support cycle, meaning it will no longer receive new Android versions or regular security patches. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro, being a much newer device, offers several more years of guaranteed software and security updates, which contributes significantly to its long-term usability and security.
• Repairability: Both devices feature durable builds with IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance, indicating a similar level of protection against environmental elements. However, the availability of parts and repair services can vary over time, with newer models generally having better access to official support for a longer period.

When evaluating performance, it's important to consider how each device handles daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking, rather than just raw processing power figures.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, powered by a flagship-tier processor from its release year, delivers a smooth and responsive experience for general use, app launching, and web browsing. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro, featuring a modern upper-mid-range processor, also provides fluid performance for everyday tasks and navigation within its operating system.
• Demanding Applications and Multitasking: For intensive applications like advanced mobile gaming or video editing, the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G's processor, while older, was designed for high-performance tasks and can still manage these applications effectively. The Edge 50 Pro's newer processor architecture offers efficient performance, handling demanding apps and multitasking smoothly, though some users have noted occasional processing delays after taking photos. Both devices typically come with 8GB of RAM, with the Edge 50 Pro also offering a 12GB option, which can enhance multitasking capabilities.
• Storage Options: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G is available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers more flexibility with options including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, providing more space for apps, media, and files. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and both the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro offer vibrant viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, providing deep blacks and rich colors. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro also has a 6.7-inch pOLED display, but with a higher resolution of 1220 x 2712 pixels, resulting in a slightly sharper image. Both technologies deliver excellent contrast and color reproduction.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: For outdoor visibility, the Edge 50 Pro offers a higher peak brightness of 2000 nits, compared to the S21 Plus 5G's 1300 nits, making content easier to view in bright sunlight. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro also boasts a faster 144Hz refresh rate, providing a smoother scrolling and gaming experience compared to the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G's 120Hz refresh rate.
• Viewing Experience: Both phones offer large, immersive displays suitable for media consumption and productivity. The Edge 50 Pro's higher resolution and refresh rate contribute to a more refined visual experience, particularly for users who prioritize fluid motion and crisp detail.

Both smartphones are equipped with versatile camera systems designed to capture a range of photographic and video content, though their approaches and capabilities differ.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a triple camera setup with a 12-megapixel wide lens, a 64-megapixel telephoto lens offering 3x hybrid optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro also has a triple camera array, consisting of a 50-megapixel main sensor with a wide f/1.4 aperture, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. The Edge 50 Pro's wider main lens aperture allows for better low-light performance and natural background blur.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G is known for producing bright and sharp photos in good lighting conditions, with decent low-light performance. The Edge 50 Pro's camera system, particularly its main sensor, is praised for sharp details, vibrant colors, and good dynamic range, even in challenging lighting. Its telephoto lens provides clear 3x optical zoom.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: The S21 Plus 5G can record video up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second and 4K at 30/60 frames per second. It has a 10-megapixel front camera. The Edge 50 Pro records 4K video at 30 frames per second and features a high-resolution 50-megapixel front camera with autofocus, which is noted for excellent selfie quality. Both devices offer optical image stabilization on their main sensors for steadier shots.