Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) vs Motorola Moto Z4: A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown

The Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) and Motorola Moto Z4 represent distinct approaches to the smartphone market. The Mate 20 X (5G), launched as a flagship with early 5G support, boasts a powerful Kirin 980 chipset. Conversely, the Moto Z4 aimed for a more accessible price point with the Snapdragon 675, relying on Motorola’s Moto Mods ecosystem for feature expansion. This comparison dissects their core differences to determine which device offers the best value in today’s market.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and future-proofing with 5G, the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) is the clear winner. Its Kirin 980 chipset delivers significantly more processing power. However, the Moto Z4 offers a comparable battery endurance rating at a potentially lower cost, making it suitable for budget-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) Motorola Moto Z4
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 - USA
5G bands77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -CDMA 800 / 1900
Launch
Announced2019, May. Released 2019, July2019, May. Released 2019, June
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions174.6 x 85.4 x 8.4 mm (6.87 x 3.36 x 0.33 in)158 x 75 x 7.4 mm (6.22 x 2.95 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight233 g (8.22 oz)165 g (5.82 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant Stylus supportSplash and dust resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version)Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2244 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~346 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size7.2 inches, 130.7 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10OLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)
ChipsetKirin 980 (7 nm)Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP10Adreno 612
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Single-48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
Triple40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.7", AF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 32-bit/384kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -Moto Mods snap-on accessories
Battery
Charging40W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsEmerald GreenFlash Grey, Frost White
ModelsEVR-N29, EVR-AN00-
PriceAbout 760 EURAbout 500 EUR
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     1.44 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 70h
Loudspeaker- Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 80dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 173234 (v7) GeekBench: 6515 (v4.4) GFXBench: 8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate 20 X (5G)

  • Significantly more powerful Kirin 980 processor
  • Faster 40W wired charging
  • 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds

  • Potentially higher price point
  • Larger size may not suit all users

Motorola Moto Z4

  • Comparable battery endurance rating
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Moto Mods ecosystem for expandable functionality

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 675 processor
  • Slower 15W wired charging

Display Comparison

While specific display details are absent, the Mate 20 X (5G) as a flagship likely featured a higher resolution and potentially brighter panel than the Moto Z4. The Moto Z4’s focus was on maximizing battery life, potentially at the expense of display quality. The Mate 20 X (5G)'s larger size suggests a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of detailed display specs highlights the Mate 20 X (5G)'s positioning as a premium device.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison. However, given its flagship status, the Mate 20 X (5G) likely featured a more sophisticated camera system with a larger sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities. The Moto Z4 likely focused on providing a functional camera experience without prioritizing top-tier image quality. The Mate 20 X (5G)'s image processing, powered by the Kirin 980’s NPU, would likely offer superior dynamic range and low-light performance.

Performance

The Kirin 980 (7nm) in the Mate 20 X (5G) represents a substantial leap in performance over the Snapdragon 675 (11nm) found in the Moto Z4. The Kirin 980’s octa-core configuration, with its two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores, provides significantly faster processing speeds for demanding applications. The Snapdragon 675, while capable for everyday tasks, will struggle with intensive gaming or multitasking compared to the Mate 20 X (5G). The 7nm process node of the Kirin 980 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

Both devices boast an endurance rating of 70 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite the Mate 20 X (5G)'s more powerful processor. However, the Mate 20 X (5G) offers a significant advantage in charging speed with its 40W wired charging, allowing for much faster top-ups compared to the Moto Z4’s 15W charging. This means the Mate 20 X (5G) can recover from a low battery much quicker, mitigating any potential battery drain from its more demanding processor.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) if you need a powerful processor for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and want access to 5G connectivity. Its 40W fast charging is also a significant advantage. Buy the Motorola Moto Z4 if you prioritize battery life and a modular ecosystem, and are willing to trade raw performance for affordability and the potential to expand functionality with Moto Mods.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 980 in the Mate 20 X (5G) experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 980’s 7nm process node and advanced thermal management system are designed to minimize throttling. While some throttling is inevitable under sustained load, the Mate 20 X (5G) should maintain higher sustained performance levels compared to the Moto Z4’s Snapdragon 675.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity of the Mate 20 X (5G) impact real-world battery life?
Activating 5G connectivity will generally consume more battery than using 4G LTE. However, the Mate 20 X (5G)'s larger battery capacity and efficient Kirin 980 chipset help mitigate this impact. Users can also switch to 4G when 5G coverage is unavailable or when battery conservation is a priority.
❓ Are Moto Mods essential to getting the most out of the Motorola Moto Z4?
Moto Mods are not *essential*, but they significantly enhance the Moto Z4’s functionality. Mods like the Hasselblad True Zoom camera mod or the battery mod can address some of the phone’s limitations, offering features not found in the base model. However, these mods come at an additional cost.
❓ Given the age of both devices, are software updates still available?
Software update support for both devices is likely limited. The Mate 20 X (5G) may have received fewer updates due to geopolitical factors affecting Huawei. The Moto Z4's update cycle is also likely concluded, meaning users may miss out on the latest security patches and features.