Motorola Edge 30 Neo vs Google Pixel 6a: A Clash of Mid-Range Titans

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Motorola Edge 30 Neo and Google Pixel 6a are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at a reasonable price, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Pixel 6a wins on camera quality and software experience, thanks to Google's Tensor chip and computational photography. However, the Edge 30 Neo boasts significantly faster charging and a brighter display, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing those features. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 30 Neo Google Pixel 6a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 431, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada)
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International)
Launch
Announced2022, September 082022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 07Available. Released 2022, July 21
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm (6.02 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight155 g (5.47 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
 Splash and dust resistantIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 120HzOLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 12, planned upgrade to Android 15Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30/60/120fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging68W wired 5W wireless18W wired, PD3.0
TypeLi-Po 4020 mAhLi-Po 4410 mAh
Misc
ColorsVery Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, Aqua FoamChalk, Charcoal, Sage
ModelsXT2245-1GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
Price€ 156.44 / $ 185.00 / £ 229.00$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 104h Endurance rating 94h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.4 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 380818 (v9) GeekBench: 1964 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Motorola Edge 30 Neo

  • Faster Charging (68W)
  • Brighter Display (1004 nits)
  • Sleek Design
  • Excellent Battery Life (104h Endurance)

  • Less Powerful Processor
  • Camera Not as Good as Pixel 6a
  • Software Updates Less Guaranteed

Google Pixel 6a

  • Superior Camera Quality
  • Google Tensor Chip (Better Performance)
  • Clean Android Experience
  • Guaranteed Software Updates

  • Slower Charging (18W)
  • Less Bright Display (876 nits)
  • Design Less Distinctive

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 1004 nits, significantly brighter than the Pixel 6a's 876 nits. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, the Edge 30 Neo's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors.

Camera Comparison

This is where the Pixel 6a truly shines. Google's computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor chip, consistently delivers superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Edge 30 Neo's camera is decent, but it can't match the Pixel 6a's dynamic range, detail, and overall image processing. Video recording is also generally better on the Pixel 6a.

Performance

The Google Pixel 6a's Google Tensor chip provides a noticeable performance edge over the Snapdragon 695 5G in the Edge 30 Neo. While the Edge 30 Neo is perfectly capable for everyday tasks, the Tensor chip handles demanding games and multitasking with greater ease. The Pixel 6a's CPU architecture (Cortex-X1) is designed for peak performance.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo demonstrates impressive battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 104 hours, surpassing the Pixel 6a's 94 hours. However, the Edge 30 Neo's 68W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups compared to the Pixel 6a's 18W charging.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is ideal for users who value fast charging, a vibrant display, and a sleek design. The Google Pixel 6a is a better choice for photography enthusiasts and those who prefer a clean, optimized Android experience with guaranteed software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Google Pixel 6a has a clear advantage with guaranteed software updates and a cleaner Android experience directly from Google.
❓ Is the Motorola Edge 30 Neo good for gaming?
While capable, the Edge 30 Neo's Snapdragon 695 5G isn't ideal for demanding games. The Pixel 6a's Tensor chip offers a smoother gaming experience.