Essential PH-1 vs. Motorola Edge 30 Neo: A Detailed Comparison

The Essential PH-1, a bold attempt at a modular smartphone, and the Motorola Edge 30 Neo, a modern mid-range contender, both offer unique appeal. But which one delivers the better overall experience? This comparison dives deep into their specs, features, and performance to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo wins overall thanks to its significantly faster charging, brighter display, and more modern chipset. While the Essential PH-1 boasts a powerful Snapdragon 835, its age and lack of modern features make it less competitive in today's market.

PHONES
Phone Names Essential PH-1 Motorola Edge 30 Neo
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 & TD-SCDMAHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2017, May2022, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2017, AugustAvailable. Released 2022, October 07
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), ceramic back, titanium frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions141.5 x 71.1 x 7.8 mm (5.57 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm (6.02 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)155 g (5.47 oz)
 -Splash and dust resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1312 x 2560 pixels (~504 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)
Size5.71 inches, 85.4 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDP-OLED, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 540Adreno 619
OSAndroid 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", PDAF, Laser AF 13 MP B/W, f/1.9, 1/3.1"64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps1080p@30/60/120fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.232 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass
 Snap-on accessories (optional)-
Battery
Charging27W wired, PD2.068W wired 5W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 3040 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4020 mAh
Misc
ColorsStellar Gray, Ocean Depths, Black Moon, Pure WhiteVery Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, Aqua Foam
ModelsPH-1XT2245-1
PriceAbout 330 EUR€ 156.44 / $ 185.00 / £ 229.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance GeekBench: 6490 (v4.4) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 380818 (v9) GeekBench: 1964 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Essential PH-1

  • Unique, minimalist design
  • Powerful Snapdragon 835 (for its time)
  • PD 2.0 charging

  • Outdated chipset
  • Limited camera features
  • Poor battery life compared to modern phones
  • Modular design not fully realized
  • Software support discontinued

Motorola Edge 30 Neo

  • Fast 68W wired charging & 5W wireless charging
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Modern Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
  • Excellent battery life
  • 5G connectivity

  • Snapdragon 695 5G isn't a flagship processor
  • Camera may not compete with top-tier phones
  • Design is relatively generic

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo's 1004 nits max brightness significantly outshines the Essential PH-1's display, offering better visibility in sunlight. The Edge 30 Neo's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent image quality, while the PH-1's display, though decent for its time, lacks the vibrancy and brightness of modern panels.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality is a complex area. The Essential PH-1 had a 13MP rear camera, which was good for its time, but the Motorola Edge 30 Neo likely offers superior image processing and potentially more versatile camera features (e.g., ultrawide, macro) due to its newer hardware and software. Specific camera specs for the PH-1 are limited, making a direct comparison difficult.

Performance

While the Essential PH-1's Snapdragon 835 was a flagship chipset in its day, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo's Snapdragon 695 5G, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers comparable performance with better power efficiency. The Edge 30 Neo also benefits from modern software optimizations.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo's endurance rating of 104h is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Essential PH-1 had a 3000mAh battery, its older chipset and lack of power optimization likely result in significantly shorter real-world battery life compared to the Edge 30 Neo.

Buying Guide

The Essential PH-1 is for enthusiasts seeking a unique, albeit dated, Android experience and appreciating its minimalist design. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging, a vibrant display, and a modern, reliable mid-range phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Essential PH-1 still worth buying?
Only for enthusiasts interested in its unique design and a taste of Android's early days. Its age and lack of software support make it impractical for most users.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge 30 Neo have a headphone jack?
No, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo does not have a headphone jack.