Huawei nova 10z vs Motorola Edge 30 Neo: Which Budget 5G Phone Wins?

The Huawei nova 10z and Motorola Edge 30 Neo represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a modern experience, they diverge significantly in their approach to charging technology and overall feature set. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a brighter display, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo is the superior choice. Its 68W wired and 5W wireless charging capabilities, coupled with a measured peak brightness of 1004 nits, offer a more convenient and visually appealing experience than the nova 10z’s 40W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 10z Motorola Edge 30 Neo
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 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, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 -
Launch
Announced2022, September 062022, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 26Available. Released 2022, October 07
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions160.7 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.89 x 0.33 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 + Nano-SIM
Weight179 g (6.31 oz)155 g (5.47 oz)
 Splash resistantSplash and dust resistant
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDP-OLED, 120Hz
Platform
CPU-Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
Chipset-Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPU-Adreno 619
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-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, Panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro), PDAF-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60/120fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging40W wired68W wired 5W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4020 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, GreenVery Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, Aqua Foam
ModelsCHA-AL80XT2245-1
PriceAbout 260 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- AnTuTu: 380818 (v9) GeekBench: 1964 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 10z

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Functional 5G connectivity
  • Reliable Huawei brand reputation

  • Slower 40W charging
  • Likely less powerful chipset
  • Display specifications unknown

Motorola Edge 30 Neo

  • 68W wired and 5W wireless charging
  • Brighter 1004 nit display
  • More efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset

  • Slightly higher price
  • Battery life endurance rating is a simulation, not real-world testing
  • Camera details are limited

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo boasts a clear advantage in display technology. Its measured peak brightness of 1004 nits ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor use. While the nova 10z’s display specifications are not provided, the Edge 30 Neo’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The lack of detailed display specs for the nova 10z makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Edge 30 Neo’s brightness alone is a significant differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details for either device, a definitive camera comparison is impossible. However, the Edge 30 Neo’s positioning suggests a more sophisticated camera system, potentially offering better low-light performance and image quality. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on budget phones often provides minimal benefit, and without further information, it’s safe to assume both devices may include such a sensor.

Performance

Both devices utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, but differ in generation and power. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G (SM6375, 6nm), featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. This 6nm process node offers improved power efficiency compared to older generations, potentially mitigating thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The nova 10z’s chipset is not specified, but given its price point, it’s likely a less powerful Snapdragon variant. The Edge 30 Neo’s more modern chipset provides a performance edge for gaming and multitasking.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s battery life is rated at 104 hours of endurance, a respectable figure for a smartphone in this price range. More importantly, its 68W wired charging capability significantly outperforms the Huawei nova 10z’s 40W charging. This translates to substantially faster charging times, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. The addition of 5W wireless charging on the Edge 30 Neo further enhances convenience, a feature absent on the nova 10z. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the Edge 30 Neo mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 10z if you need a functional 5G phone and prioritize a lower initial cost above all else. It’s a solid, if unremarkable, option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the Motorola Edge 30 Neo if you prefer a more refined experience with faster charging, a significantly brighter display, and the convenience of wireless charging, even if it comes at a slightly higher price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Motorola Edge 30 Neo struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 695 is a capable mid-range chipset, but it's not designed for ultra-high settings in graphically intensive games. You'll likely need to lower graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth and consistent frame rate in PUBG or Genshin Impact. The 6nm process helps with thermal management, but prolonged gaming may still result in some throttling.
❓ How long does it actually take to fully charge the Motorola Edge 30 Neo from 0% to 100% with the 68W charger?
While Motorola doesn't provide an exact figure, independent testing suggests the Edge 30 Neo can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 42-45 minutes with the included 68W charger. This is significantly faster than the Huawei nova 10z's 40W charging, which will likely take over an hour.
❓ Is the 5W wireless charging on the Motorola Edge 30 Neo practical for daily use?
5W wireless charging is relatively slow compared to wired charging. It's best suited for overnight charging or topping up the battery while at your desk. It's a convenient feature to have, but don't expect it to rapidly replenish the battery.