The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, with numerous compelling options vying for consumer attention. Two devices currently dominating the conversation in the sub-Rs. 35,000 segment are the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G. This in-depth comparison aims to dissect their strengths and weaknesses, helping you make an informed decision based on your individual needs and preferences. We’ll delve into everything from pricing and design to performance, cameras, and battery life, providing a clear picture of which phone reigns supreme in this price bracket.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G vs. Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G: Price in India
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G typically starts at Rs. 29,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant after discounts and offers. The 8GB RAM + 256GB model often hovers around Rs. 32,999 during sales periods. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G, on the other hand, has a starting price of Rs. 31,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB configuration, while the 12GB RAM + 256GB variant with a 125W charger reaches Rs. 35,999. However, similar to the Samsung, festive sales frequently see these prices drop to Rs. 29,999 and Rs. 31,999 respectively (excluding further bank offers). At the time of this comparison, the pricing is unexpectedly close, making the feature comparison all the more crucial.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G vs. Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G: Design and Build
Both phones boast premium designs, but with different aesthetics. The Galaxy S23 FE 5G sports a familiar Samsung design language reminiscent of the flagship S23 series. It features an aluminum frame and a glass back with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This assures durability. The device is available in Mint, Graphite, and Purple color options. Its dimensions are 158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2mm, and it weighs 209 grams.
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G, conversely, offers a more distinctive look. It comes with a sleek design and a Vegan Leather finish on the rear, providing a different tactile experience compared to the glass back of the S23 FE. The curved display on the front adds to its premium feel. Available in Luxe Lavender, Black Beauty (vegan leather), and Moon Light (pearl-like finish), the Edge 50 Pro also boasts an IP68 rating. It’s slightly larger and lighter, measuring 161.23 x 72.4 x 8.19mm and weighing 186 grams. The choice here largely depends on personal preference: sleek glass or luxurious vegan leather.
Design Considerations: A Closer Look
The subtle differences in weight and dimensions are largely insignificant for most users. The IP68 rating on both phones however, is a significant plus ensuring that your phone can withstand accidental splashes or brief submersion. The material choice between glass and vegan leather is subjective – glass offers a cleaner look, while vegan leather provides a different texture and grip.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G vs. Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G: Display
The Galaxy S23 FE 5G packs a 6.4-inch FHD+ (1080×2340 pixels) Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED display. It supports an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and a peak brightness of 1,450 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protects the screen from scratches.
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G opts for a larger 6.7-inch curved OLED panel with a 1.5K (2460×1080 pixels) resolution. The curved edges offer a more immersive viewing experience, while the higher resolution provides sharper visuals than the S23 FE. It boasts an even brighter peak brightness of 2,000 nits, along with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 360Hz touch sampling rate for incredibly responsive touch input. It also incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Display Showdown: Which Reigns Supreme?
While both displays are excellent, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G edges out slightly thanks to its brighter peak brightness, higher refresh rate, larger size and curved display. The curved display is a matter of preference; some may find it aesthetically pleasing while others may consider it distracting or prone to accidental touches. However, the difference is marginally noticeable.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G vs. Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G: Performance and OS
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G uses the in-house Samsung Exynos 2200 processor, featuring a clock speed up to 2.8GHz and an Xclipse 920 GPU. It’s coupled with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G relies on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor. While not a flagship processor, it still offers strong performance in this segment paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It’s important to remember that UFS 2.2 is slightly slower than UFS 3.1.
Both phones ship with Android 14, highlighting their commitment to timely software updates and security. Samsung offers its One UI overlay, creating a more visually distinct user experience whereas Motorola provides a closer-to-stock Android experience. Both manufacturers promise three years of OS upgrades and four years of security updates.
Performance Under the Hood: A nuanced insight into processors
The choice between the Exynos 2200 and the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 heavily involves personal preference. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 might offer slightly improved power efficiency, while the Exynos 2200 might deliver a slightly better performance uplift in some graphically intensive tasks. Ultimately, both phones offer fluid and everyday performance in most usage scenarios. More RAM on the Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G will however provide a smoother multitasking experience.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G vs. Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G: Camera Comparison
The Galaxy S23 FE 5G’s triple rear camera system features a 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS, a 12-megapixel ultrawide with a 123-degree field of view (FoV), and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and OIS. The front camera stands at 10 megapixels.
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G’s camera setup comprises a 50-megapixel main sensor (OIS), a 13-megapixel ultrawide which also functions as a macro lens, and a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto lens achieving 50x hybrid zoom. It also includes a 50-megapixel front-facing camera.
Photography Prowess: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Both offer capable camera systems. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G might win this round with its higher resolution front camera and dedicated macro lens. In low light, the results on both phones may vary and highly depend on image processing algorithms compared to the raw image taken. The differences in ultrawide and telephoto lenses are also marginal. Independent reviews will vary on this.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G vs. Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G: Battery Life
The Galaxy S23 FE 5G is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery supporting 25W wired fast charging, Qi wireless charging, and wireless power share.
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G also has a 4,500mAh battery. However, it supports considerably faster charging speeds: 125W wired fast charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
Powering Through the Day: A Battery Life Showdown
While both phones have equal battery capacity, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G’s superior charging capabilities offer a significant advantage. Imagine charging your phone to near capacity in just over 15 minutes! This is a game-changer for users who value speedy charging.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G vs. Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G: Conclusion
Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G depends largely on individual priorities. The S23 FE 5G offers a more refined and consistent Samsung experience, while the Edge 50 Pro 5G excels with its superior charging technology, higher resolution front camera, and aesthetically different rear design, especially with a vegan leather option.
"The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G is a solid all-rounder, particularly for Samsung loyalists," while "the Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G is a compelling alternative for those who value rapid charging and a distinctive design," offering a unique selling proposition. Spend time considering what aspects of a phone are most crucial to you before deciding. The difference in processing power may not be immediately noticeable. This comparison should help determine the perfect phone for you by weighing the various advantages each phone offers.
