Cubot X30 vs. Motorola Moto G Power (2021): A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot X30, powered by the Mediatek Helio P60, and the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) with its Snapdragon 662 represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications of these chipsets, alongside battery performance and overall value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a more refined software experience, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. While the Cubot X30 offers a potentially lower price, the Snapdragon 662’s efficiency and Qualcomm’s software optimization provide a smoother, more reliable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot X30 Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020. Released 20202021, January 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, January 14
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions157.1 x 76.4 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)206.5 g (7.30 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 610
OSAndroid 10Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lenses-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
VideoYes1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging-15W wired
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Black, Gradient GreenFlash Gray, Polar Silver
Price-About 60 EUR

Cubot X30

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Octa-core processor for multitasking
  • May offer more RAM for the price

  • Less efficient chipset (Helio P60)
  • Likely inferior image processing
  • Potentially less frequent software updates

Motorola Moto G Power (2021)

  • More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 662)
  • Better sustained performance
  • Established brand with software support

  • Slightly higher price
  • 720p+ display resolution
  • 15W charging is relatively slow

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing for the Cubot X30, suggesting a standard LCD panel. The Moto G Power (2021) also utilizes an LCD, but its larger size (6.6 inches) and 720p+ resolution prioritize battery life over sharpness. Both likely feature similar color accuracy, typical of this price segment. The absence of high refresh rates on either device is standard, focusing on power conservation.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon ISPs generally offer superior image processing capabilities compared to Mediatek’s offerings at this price point. This means the Moto G Power (2021) is likely to produce more detailed and dynamic photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) on both devices suggests these are primarily for marketing purposes and offer limited real-world benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Mediatek Helio P60 (12nm) in the Cubot X30 uses a big.LITTLE architecture with Cortex-A73 and A53 cores. While offering a peak clock speed of 2.0 GHz, the older 12nm process is less efficient than Qualcomm’s 11nm process used in the Snapdragon 662. The Snapdragon 662’s Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores, also clocked at 2.0 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively, benefit from Qualcomm’s architectural optimizations and a more modern manufacturing process. This translates to better sustained performance and thermal management, particularly during prolonged gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 662 will likely exhibit less throttling under load.

Battery Life

The Moto G Power (2021) features 15W wired charging, a standard offering in this segment. The Cubot X30’s charging speed is unspecified, but likely similar. The Moto G Power’s larger battery capacity (5000 mAh) combined with the Snapdragon 662’s efficiency provides a significant advantage in battery life. Users can expect all-day battery life with moderate usage on the Moto G Power, while the Cubot X30 may require more frequent charging due to the less efficient Helio P60.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot X30 if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media, and are willing to accept occasional performance hiccups to save money. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, better sustained performance for gaming, and a more established brand reputation with guaranteed software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio P60 in the Cubot X30 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio P60 will likely struggle with PUBG Mobile at higher settings. While playable at low settings, users should expect frame drops and potential overheating. The Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power (2021) offers a significantly smoother gaming experience, even at medium settings.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Cubot X30 and the Motorola Moto G Power (2021)?
Motorola is known for its near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware, offering faster updates and a cleaner interface. Cubot, on the other hand, typically utilizes a heavily customized Android skin with pre-installed apps. This can impact performance and update frequency.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Moto G Power (2021) slow compared to other phones?
15W charging is standard for phones in this price range. While faster charging technologies exist, they often come at a higher cost. The Moto G Power’s large battery capacity means it will still take a few hours to fully charge, but the efficient chipset minimizes the impact of the slower charging speed.