Motorola revived its Edge smartphone line in 2020 with the release of the Motorola Edge Plus and the more affordable Motorola Edge. These two devices share some similarities but also have key differences that may make one model a better fit depending on your needs and budget.
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll look at how the Motorola Edge Plus and Motorola Edge stack up against each other to help you decide which is the best choice for you.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Specs | Motorola Edge Plus | Motorola Edge |
| Price | $700 | $500 |
| Screen Size | 6.7″ OLED | 6.7″ OLED |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 865 | Snapdragon 765 |
| RAM | 12GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 256GB | 128GB |
| Main Camera | 108MP | 64MP |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP, 3x optical zoom | 8MP, 3x optical zoom |
| Ultra-wide Camera | 16MP | 16MP |
| Battery Size | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging Speed | 18W wired, 15W wireless | 18W wired, 5W wireless |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | No rating |
| Android Version | Android 11 | Android 11 |
Key Differences Between Motorola Edge And Edge Plus
- Overview and Specs
The Motorola Edge Plus sits at the top of Motorola’s smartphone lineup as their premium flagship device, while the Motorola Edge occupies the upper mid-range category.
The Edge Plus costs several hundred dollars more than the regular Edge, which accounts for some of the improved features and specs.
Both phones have large 6.7-inch OLED displays with a 90Hz high refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations.
The displays are nearly bezel-less, with a small centered hole-punch front camera.
Some key internal hardware differences:
- Processor: Snapdragon 865 in Edge Plus vs Snapdragon 765 in regular Edge
- RAM: 12GB in Edge Plus vs 6GB in regular Edge
- Storage: 256GB in Edge Plus vs 128GB in regular Edge
- Battery: 5000 mAh in Edge Plus vs 4500 mAh in regular Edge
The Edge Plus also ups the ante with a 108MP main camera compared to a 64MP main camera on the regular Edge. However, both have nearly identical triple camera arrays otherwise, with telephoto and ultra-wide secondary cameras.
So in a nutshell, the Edge Plus brings more power, memory, storage and an improved primary camera. But the regular Edge is no slouch, packing some solid mid-range specs at a more accessible price point.
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- Design and Handling
Motorola really pulled out all the stops to make the Edge Plus feel ultra-premium. It has a metal and glass build with a seamless curved “Endless Edge” display.
There is some criticsm about handling comfort from the sharp edges, but it does look sleek. The phone also carries an IP68 water resistance rating for protection against dust and submersion.
The regular Motorola Edge shares the same display, but opts for a plastic polymer back cover rather than glass. This makes it lighter and perhaps a bit more durable, if not quite as refined. The normal Edge does not have an IP rating.
Both phones are fairly sizable, coming in at over 6” tall and nearly 3” wide. This may present some usability challenges for smaller hands. However, the curved display helps it feel a bit more compact compared to other phones with this size screen.
- Display
As mentioned above, both Edge models have the same 6.7” OLED display with FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels).
You get extremely vibrant colors and deep blacks, thanks to OLED’s pixel-level illumination control.
The most interesting feature is the 90Hz refresh rate, which allows for much smoother scrolling, animations and gaming compared to the typical 60Hz screen.
This is especially helpful for fast-paced games and apps where on-screen motion will look more fluid.
There is some criticism about the Edge Plus display’s auto-brightness needing some tweaks in software updates. But overall, both models have excellent displays that make content really pop thanks to modern OLED panel technology.
- Camera
The camera is where these two Edge models differ the most. As Motorola’s flagship, the Edge Plus comes equipped with a massive 108MP main camera, where each photo outputs at a pixel-binned 27MP resolution. There is also an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and OIS, plus a 16MP ultra-wide camera.
The regular Motorola Edge drops the main camera resolution down to 64MP with quad pixel tech for 16MP output. It has the same 8MP telephoto and 16MP ultra-wide as the Edge Plus otherwise.
In practice, the mega-resolution 108MP main sensor in the Edge Plus can capture sharper, more detailed images with excellent texture and dynamic range.
But don’t count out the 64MP camera in the regular Edge, which still takes fantastic shots with vibrant color in good lighting conditions. Low light photos favor the Edge Plus’s brighter lens and better software processing though.
Both phones have capable telephoto and ultra-wide secondary cameras that allow for nice flexibility. The wide has a 117 degree field of view which is wider than many phones. And the telephoto also does a decent job, though a 5x optical would be nicer.
Video recording goes up to 6K resolution on the Edge Plus, while maxing out at 4K on the regular Edge. The Edge Plus also has better stabilization for smooth handheld shooting.
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- Performance and Battery Life
The Motorola Edge Plus is powered by the Snapdragon 865, which is Qualcomm’s flagship chipset for 2020. It’s an extremely fast processor built on the 7nm process. You get a massive 12GB RAM as well.
This hardware equates to exceptional app and gaming performance, even in demanding 3D titles. Day to day the Edge Plus flies through any task.
The standard Edge has a Snapdragon 765 chip, which is a respectable upper mid-range SoC. It uses the previous generation 8nm manufacturing process. Performance is still quick, but you may notice occasional hiccups compared to the silky smooth 865.
Gaming is fine for causal titles, but more demanding 3D games may need lowered settings. The 6GB RAM still keeps multitasking smooth.
Storage on the Edge Plus is 256GB, while the regular Edge has 128GB. Both have a microSD slot though.
Battery life is excellent on both models. The massive 5000 mAh battery in the Edge Plus powers through 1.5-2 days of use. Standby time is especially impressive. With the 4500 mAh battery in the regular Edge, you can still get 1.5 days of runtime on a charge.
Recharging speed is super fast on the Edge Plus at 18W wired/15W wireless. The standard Edge is a bit slower at 18W wired/5W wireless, but still decently quick.
- Software
The Motorola Edge Plus launched with Android 10, while the regular Edge came with Android 10. Recently both phones have been updated to Android 11, bringing some UI improvements and new features like built-in screen recording.
Motorola uses a very clean, stock-like skin of Android with just some light customizations. This provides a smooth software experience and easy usability. Moto Actions are present, such as twisting the phone to launch the camera app.
Software support has not traditionally been one of Motorola’s strong suits, but they have committed to at least 2 major Android version updates for the Edge series. The Edge Plus is also guaranteed monthly security patches for 3 years.
Here is a detailed review of Edge Plus!
- Price and Value
The Motorola Edge Plus originally retailed for $999, clearly aiming for premium flagship territory. Recently it has seen nice price drops though, now coming in around $700.
The regular Motorola Edge launched at $699, occupying a competitive upper mid-range price bracket. Discounts have brought it down closer to $500.
At original MSRP, the Edge Plus was difficult to justify against offerings like the Galaxy S20 series with better cameras and software support. But at the now lower price of $700, the value proposition improves considerably.
You get a premium specced phone with good battery life at several hundred dollars less than other flagships.
Meanwhile, the regular Motorola Edge still competes well in the mid-$500 range. Performance and display quality stand out in particular. The main camera holds up respectably, even if a bit behind class leaders.
Overall the Edge Plus offers the best pure value, delivering true flagship phone specs and features at a lower price than the competition these days. But don’t overlook the standard Edge either if your budget can’t stretch quite as high.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The key differences are the Edge Plus has a faster Snapdragon 865 processor, 12GB RAM, 108MP main camera, larger 256GB storage, and IP68 water resistance. The regular Edge has a Snapdragon 765, 6GB RAM, 64MP main camera, 128GB storage, and plastic build without IP rating. Displays and battery sizes are identical.
Yes, the Edge Plus is Motorola’s flagship phone for 2020. It has high-end specs like the Snapdragon 865 chipset, 12GB RAM, 108MP camera, OLED display with 90Hz refresh, and large battery.
The Motorola Edge Plus was released in May 2020 alongside the regular Motorola Edge.
The Motorola Edge Plus supports both 4G LTE and 5G connectivity. The Snapdragon 865 chipset provides integrated 5G.
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Conclusion
It’s easy to see why the Motorola Edge Plus ranks among the premium tier, while the Motorola Edge occupies a middle ground as a feature packed mid-ranger. The Plus model clearly packs the most power and highest end specs.
But the standard Edge is no slouch either, bringing great modern features from a high-refresh display to capable cameras.
For many buyers, the regular Motorola Edge may strike the ideal balance of quality and cost. But with recent price drops, the Edge Plus becomes enticing for those wanting cutting edge performance without a 4-figure price.
Ultimately, both are compelling options that come down to your budget and needs. Either model gives you that sleek endless display to immerse yourself in videos or games.