Motorola Edge 40 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
The Verdict
Motorola Edge 40 delivers superior value at $499 versus Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's $699.99 asking price. The Motorola features a more vibrant 144Hz pOLED display (1200 nits) compared to the Samsung's 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED (1300 nits), making the refresh rate advantage meaningful for scrolling and gaming. MediaTek Dimensity 8020 performs comparably to Snapdragon 888 for daily tasks, though the Snapdragon edges out in sustained performance and gaming. Camera systems differ strategically: Motorola's 50MP main sensor with f/1.4 aperture and macro ultrawide excel at detail and low-light, while Samsung's telephoto lens provides 3x optical zoom flexibility. Battery capacity favors Motorola slightly (4400 vs 4500 mAh), but 68W fast charging obliterates Samsung's 25W solution. Build quality differs notably: Motorola uses aluminum and vegan leather (more premium feel), Samsung uses polycarbonate (less durable). Both offer IP68 rating and wireless charging. Software support heavily favors Samsung with One UI's polish and longevity. The Motorola Edge 40 is the smarter buy for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing display quality, charging speed, and camera versatility, while the S21 FE suits those wanting proven software experience and optical zoom despite premium pricing and older chipset.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Motorola Edge 40 if…
- →Ultra-slim at 7.49 mm and light at 167 g with IP68 protection
- →144Hz pOLED display is exceptionally smooth
- →f/1.4 main camera aperture captures excellent low-light photos
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE if…
- →Flagship Snapdragon 888 chip at a lower price
- →Excellent 32 MP selfie camera
- →Lightweight polycarbonate body at just 177 g
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Motorola Edge 40
Pros
- Ultra-slim at 7.49 mm and light at 167 g with IP68 protection
- 144Hz pOLED display is exceptionally smooth
- f/1.4 main camera aperture captures excellent low-light photos
- 68W fast charging with wireless charging at this price
- Vegan leather option provides a unique, grippy texture
Cons
- Dimensity 8020 is a mid-range chip — not flagship performance
- Only one OS update promised by Motorola
- 4400 mAh battery is modest for heavy users
- No telephoto camera for zoom shots
- 256 GB single storage option with no expansion
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 888 chip at a lower price
- Excellent 32 MP selfie camera
- Lightweight polycarbonate body at just 177 g
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Wireless charging included
Cons
- Only 6 GB RAM in the base model
- Snapdragon 888 runs warmer than newer chips
- Slow 25W wired charging
- Main camera sensor is just 12 MP despite the price
Full Specifications
| Spec | Motorola Edge 40 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 | Android 12, One UI 4 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 177 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back | Polycarbonate |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 158.4 x 72 x 7.49 mm | 155.7 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.4, OIS, PDAF | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 32 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2, macro mode | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP 3x optical |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4400 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 68W wired (TurboPower) | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.55 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | pOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.80 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in phones, see all Motorola products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Motorola Edge 40 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.