The HMD Pulse 2 Pro and Motorola Edge 40 Neo represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Pulse 2 Pro aims for affordability, while the Edge 40 Neo prioritizes a more refined experience with faster charging and a brighter display. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth experience and quick top-ups, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is the better choice. Its MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset and 68W charging significantly outperform the HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s Unisoc T615 and 20W charging, despite the Pulse 2 Pro’s potential cost advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 01 | 2023, September 14 |
| Status | Coming soon. Exp. release 2025, December | Available. Released 2023, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~384 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T615 (12 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G610 MC3 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 50 MP | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 68W wired, 50% in 15 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh, user replaceable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Green, Dark Blue | Black, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz |
| Models | - | XT2307-1 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | $ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900 |
HMD Pulse 2 Pro
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional and reliable
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Slow charging speed (20W)
- Less powerful chipset (Unisoc T615)
- Likely lower display brightness
Motorola Edge 40 Neo
- Fast 68W charging
- Powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset
- Bright and vibrant display (1073 nits)
- Higher price compared to HMD Pulse 2 Pro
- Battery capacity not explicitly stated
- May not be ideal for extreme budget constraints
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1073 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the HMD Pulse 2 Pro, which lacks published brightness data but is expected to be considerably dimmer given its budget positioning. While both likely utilize LCD or OLED panels (data unavailable for Pulse 2 Pro), the Neo’s higher peak brightness and likely superior color calibration contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the Edge 40 Neo, reflecting its more premium design.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera analysis is hampered by limited data on the HMD Pulse 2 Pro. However, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is expected to offer a more versatile camera system, focusing on photo and video capabilities. While sensor sizes and apertures are unknown for the Pulse 2 Pro, the Edge 40 Neo likely benefits from MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP) for improved image processing and low-light performance. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Edge 40 Neo (assumed based on Motorola’s typical implementation) further enhances image quality, particularly in videos. We can safely assume the Pulse 2 Pro will rely heavily on software processing to compensate for potentially inferior hardware.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s MediaTek Dimensity 7030, fabricated on a 6nm process, offers a substantial performance leap over the HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s 12nm Unisoc T615. The Dimensity 7030’s Cortex-A78 cores (2x2.5 GHz) are architecturally superior to the Pulse 2 Pro’s Cortex-A75 cores (2x1.8 GHz), resulting in faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The 6nm process also translates to better thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones feature 6x Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Dimensity 7030’s overall architecture provides a more responsive and future-proof experience.
Battery Life
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo shines in battery charging speed, supporting 68W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 15 minutes. The HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s 20W charging is significantly slower. While the Edge 40 Neo’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its endurance rating of 80 hours and active use score of 10:28h indicate excellent battery life. The Pulse 2 Pro’s battery capacity is also unknown, but its slower charging and less efficient chipset suggest it will require more frequent top-ups. The faster charging of the Edge 40 Neo is a significant convenience factor for users on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Pulse 2 Pro if you need a functional, no-frills smartphone with a focus on maximizing value for money and aren't demanding in terms of performance. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you prefer a more responsive user experience, a brighter and more vibrant display, and the convenience of incredibly fast charging – even if it comes at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T615 in the HMD Pulse 2 Pro sufficient for gaming?
The Unisoc T615 can handle casual gaming, but it will struggle with demanding titles at higher settings. Expect lower frame rates and potential stuttering in graphically intensive games. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s Dimensity 7030 offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo compare to standard charging?
68W charging is significantly faster than standard charging. The Edge 40 Neo can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes, minimizing downtime. The HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s 20W charging will take considerably longer to achieve the same level of charge.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge 40 Neo support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset in the Motorola Edge 40 Neo supports 5G connectivity, allowing for faster download and streaming speeds where available. The HMD Pulse 2 Pro's 4G capabilities will be slower.
❓ What type of display technology does the Motorola Edge 40 Neo use?
While not explicitly stated, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo likely utilizes a pOLED display, given Motorola's recent trends and the display's high brightness and vibrant colors. This offers superior contrast and color accuracy compared to LCD panels.
