If camera quality is important to you, consider the Motorola Edge (2021), which has a higher megapixel count and more versatile camera system including an ultrawide lens. However, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) offers higher still photo quality, despite a lower megapixel count. For battery life, the Motorola Edge outlasts the iPhone SE by a significant margin. The iPhone SE is more compact and lightweight, and runs on iOS, which might be preferable if you're invested in the Apple ecosystem, while the Motorola Edge is larger, heavier and runs on Android, offering a larger screen and a high refresh rate for smoother visuals. For durability and charging features, the iPhone SE offers wireless charging and better dust and water resistance, but lacks a modern USB-C port, which the Motorola Edge offers. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Very good performance
Advantages of the Motorola Edge (2021)
Very good battery life
Good display quality
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.7/10
5.2/10
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Motorola Edge (2021) both have poor overall camera quality, though the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) offers a better selfie experience, significantly surpassing the Motorola Edge (2021), which is largely due to Apple's more sophisticated software enhancing the selfie-taking experience. On the other hand, the Motorola Edge struggles with camera performance across various aspects such as dynamic range, low light, and software experience, which also affects the overall quality of photos captured with the device.
Video Quality
6.6/10
4.7/10
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes only fair videos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) offers a better overall video recording experience, with higher scores in software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality compared to the Motorola Edge (2021), which underperforms in these areas. Despite both having high-resolution video capabilities, the iPhone SE's superior video stabilization and dynamic range allow for clearer and more consistent footage, particularly in challenging lighting conditions, which the Motorola Edge struggles with.
Battery
4.9 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a screen size of 4.7 inches and the Motorola Edge (2021) is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$429
$600
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Motorola Edge (2021) costs $600.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Motorola Edge (2021) both have poor photos.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a higher selfie quality rating compared to the Motorola Edge (2021), which is a significant factor as selfie performance is very important. Additionally, the iPhone SE benefits from better software experience and versatility in camera performance, contributing to its fair photo quality, while the Motorola Edge offers poorer performance in these aspects, resulting in its poor photo quality.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Motorola Edge (2021) compare to other phones
"Thanks to the inclusion of the A15 chip, the SE is likely to be supported for years to come. That makes it the best deal in smartphones today for folks who just want something simple and don't care about the frills. The iPhone SE is a great deal if you're more interested in the basics than the latest flashy features.. It's also a great option for people who prefer to use their phones one-handed—a dying breed, we know."
"If you've overlooked Motorola's higher-end phones in the past, the Motorola Edge 5G UW does a very good job at trying to regain your attention. Improvements to the main camera impress. I'm also impressed by how quickly the phone recharges. It's the affordability that ultimately wins the day for the Motorola Edge. this phone offers enough premium features to put it at the forefront of midrange options."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone SE (2022) or the Motorola Edge (2021)
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Motorola
Motorola, a well-known name in the smartphone world, has a long-standing legacy in the industry, with a history dating back to the early days of mobile phones. The brand is mostly known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as providing a clean and straightforward interface with their software skin on top of Android. While they have traditionally been prominent in the budget and midrange categories, Motorola has also occasionally ventured into the high-end category for smartphones.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.