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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a high-quality camera is a priority, the Sony Xperia 5 III has a better overall camera system with more features, such as RAW output and HDR video, which will provide better photo and video quality. On the other hand, if you prioritize a larger screen and longer battery life, the Motorola Edge (2021) offers a larger 6.8-inch display compared to Sony's 6.1 inches, and it is reported to have a longer battery lifespan. Both phones are Android-based and are similarly priced, but the Motorola Edge (2021) has a plastic back which may not feel as premium as the glass back on the Sony Xperia 5 III. Additionally, the Motorola offers a high refresh rate for smoother visuals, but the Sony's OLED display is typically more vibrant. If you listen to music through wired headphones, the Sony also has a 3.5mm headphone jack which the Motorola lacks. 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 Motorola Edge (2021)
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
- The Sony Xperia 5 III has no clear advantages over the Motorola Edge (2021).
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.2
6.0
The Sony Xperia 5 III has only fair overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Motorola Edge (2021) falls short in camera performance partly because it ranks poorly across most camera-related attributes like software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, including a poor rating for selfie quality which is very important. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 5 III offers a fair selfie quality, coupled with a better overall photo and video experience including video dynamic range and low light performance, indicative of a fair camera system that provides versatility and features more suited to diverse shooting conditions.
Photo Quality
5.3
5.9
The Sony Xperia 5 III and Motorola Edge (2021) both have poor photos, though the Sony Xperia 5 III takes somewhat better photos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) produces poor quality selfies due to its subpar camera software experience, limited dynamic range, and low light performance, which holds it back significantly in capturing good photos. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 5 III, while not top-notch, has a fair selfie score, suggesting a more capable software and better photo-taking ability under varying conditions, making it a relatively better choice for users valuing selfie quality.
Video Quality
4.7
6.0
The Sony Xperia 5 III takes only fair videos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) produces poor-quality videos largely due to its inferior video software experience, lack of video stabilization, and underwhelming dynamic range and low-light performance compared to the Sony Xperia 5 III. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 5 III offers a fair video capturing experience with better stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, along with superior mic quality, contributing to its overall better video quality.
Battery
8.7 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$600
$450
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a price of $600 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
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How the Motorola Edge (2021) and the Sony Xperia 5 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Edge (2021) | Sony Xperia 5 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 2, 2021 | October 8, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.8" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2460 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 395 | 449 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD778G | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.7 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.65" x 2.98" | 6.18" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Nebula Blue | Black, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Motorola Edge (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | October 2021
"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."
Sony Xperia 5 III
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Android Authority
Robert Triggs | October 2022
"The Sony Xperia 5 III excels when it comes to rear camera photography, its display and multi-media features, and all-day battery life. Buy the Xperia 5 III if you’re looking for a fun but imperfect camera setup, customizable gaming features, all-day battery life, and all the best multimedia capabilities that Sony has to offer"
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2021) or the Sony Xperia 5 III
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.
About Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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