Motorola Edge 30 vs Samsung Galaxy S22 5G: Which Android Flagship Wins?

The Motorola Edge 30 and Samsung Galaxy S22 5G represent distinct approaches to the flagship Android experience. The Edge 30 aims for a compelling balance of features and price, leveraging the Snapdragon 778G+ platform. The Galaxy S22, while now older, still boasts a premium build and the powerful (though sometimes controversial) Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, depending on the region. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Edge 30 offers a more consistently smooth experience and better value. While the Galaxy S22’s peak performance is higher, the potential for thermal throttling with the Exynos variant and its higher price tag make the Edge 30 the more sensible choice for everyday use.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 30 Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, April 272022, February 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 12Available. Released 2022, February 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
Dimensions159.4 x 74.2 x 6.8 mm (6.28 x 2.92 x 0.27 in)146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm (5.75 x 2.78 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight155 g (5.47 oz)167 g / 168 g (mmWave) (5.89 oz)
 Water-repellent designIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROW
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm)Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROW
GPUAdreno 642LXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROW
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single-10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging33W wired25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4020 mAhLi-Ion 3700 mAh
Misc
ColorsMeteor Grey, Supermoon Silver, Aurora GreenPhantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora Purple
ModelsXT2203-1SM-S901B, SM-S901B/DS, SM-S901U, SM-S901U1, SM-S901W, SM-S901N, SM-S9010, SM-S901E, SM-S901E/DS
Price$ 529.00 / € 168.00$ 172.63 / C$ 304.00 / £ 186.11 / € 198.01
SAR-1.03 W/kg (head)     1.15 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.21 W/kg (head)     1.59 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 85h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 745496 (v8), 881428 (v9) GeekBench: 3682 (v5.1) GFXBench: 69fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge 30

  • More efficient Snapdragon 778G+ chipset
  • Potentially better value for money
  • 33W fast charging

  • Less powerful processor than the S22
  • Display likely not as bright as the S22

Samsung Galaxy S22 5G

  • Brighter and sharper display
  • More powerful processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 variant)
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Exynos 2200 prone to thermal throttling
  • Higher price point
  • Potentially shorter battery life with heavy use

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S22 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 982 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the Edge 30. This makes the S22 more usable in direct sunlight. Both displays feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. However, the S22’s smaller 6.1-inch size contributes to a higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper image. While the Edge 30’s display quality is likely good, Samsung’s display technology and brightness advantage are notable.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but details are limited. The Galaxy S22’s camera is likely to excel in image processing and low-light performance, leveraging Samsung’s established camera expertise. The Edge 30’s camera performance is less well-defined. Without sensor size details, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Edge 30 is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature. The S22’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is likely more advanced, contributing to sharper photos and smoother videos.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Galaxy S22’s Exynos 2200 (Europe) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (ROW) are built on a 4nm process, offering higher peak performance than the Motorola Edge 30’s 6nm Snapdragon 778G+. The S22’s CPU configuration, with a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked up to 3.0 GHz (ROW), provides a substantial advantage in single-core tasks. However, the Snapdragon 778G+ is a highly efficient chip, and its octa-core configuration (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) delivers excellent performance for the price. Critically, the Exynos 2200 is known to suffer from thermal throttling under sustained load, potentially negating its performance advantage, while the 778G+ remains more consistent. The S22 likely uses faster LPDDR5 RAM, while the Edge 30's RAM speed is unspecified, but likely LPDDR4X.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S22 has an endurance rating of 85 hours, suggesting reasonable battery life. However, the Exynos 2200’s power consumption can significantly impact real-world usage. The Edge 30’s battery capacity is unspecified, but its more efficient Snapdragon 778G+ and 33W wired charging offer a compelling combination. The S22 supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging (Qi), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, providing more versatility. While the S22’s endurance rating is the same, the Edge 30’s efficiency could translate to longer screen-on time for typical users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 30 if you prioritize consistent performance, efficient power usage, and a more affordable price point. It’s ideal for users who enjoy mobile gaming but don’t demand the absolute highest frame rates, and those who value a balanced smartphone experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G if you absolutely need the fastest possible processing power (especially the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 variant) and are willing to accept potential thermal limitations and a higher cost. It caters to power users who frequently engage in demanding tasks like video editing or high-end gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2200 in the Galaxy S22 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Exynos 2200 variant of the Galaxy S22 is known to experience thermal throttling under sustained load, such as during prolonged gaming. This can lead to reduced performance and frame rate drops. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 variant is better in this regard, but still susceptible to some throttling.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Motorola Edge 30 fast enough for daily use?
Yes, 33W charging is a respectable speed and should provide a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes. It's faster than the Galaxy S22's 25W charging and offers a convenient top-up option throughout the day.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 778G+ in the Edge 30 handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 778G+ can handle PUBG and Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the peak performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience without significant overheating.
❓ Is the camera on the Motorola Edge 30 a significant downgrade compared to the Galaxy S22?
Without detailed camera specs, it's hard to say definitively. However, the Galaxy S22 likely has an advantage in image processing and low-light performance. The Edge 30's camera is still capable, but may not offer the same level of detail or dynamic range.