Motorola Edge S vs. Realme GT 8 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Charging

The Motorola Edge S, leveraging the proven Snapdragon 870, represents a compelling value proposition in a market increasingly dominated by premium pricing. The Realme GT 8 Pro, however, arrives with the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a focus on blistering fast charging. This comparison dissects these two devices to determine which offers the best balance of performance, features, and price.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and rapid charging, the Realme GT 8 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers significantly improved performance and efficiency, complemented by 120W charging. However, the Motorola Edge S remains a strong contender for budget-conscious users who value a solid, reliable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge S Realme GT 8 Pro
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, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2021, January 262025, October 21
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, February 03Available. Released 2025, October 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), aluminum alloy frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back
Dimensions168.4 x 74 x 9.7 mm (6.63 x 2.91 x 0.38 in)161.8 x 76.9 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - International· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - China
Weight215 g (7.58 oz)214 g or 218 g (7.69 oz)
 Water repellent design-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1440 x 3136 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~508 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.79 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10, 560 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 7000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 840
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12Android 16, up to 4 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 7.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, ring flash (macro mode), panorama, HDRRicoh lens, Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, switchable camera bump
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 121˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm, PDAF TOF 3D Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, 22mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 200 MP, f/2.6, 65mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 0.5µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 16mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.64µm
Video6K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, Dolby Vision, 10-bit LOG
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm-
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS, HDR, Dolby Vision
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS, NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Ready For support-
Battery
Charging20W wired120W wired, 120W UFCS, 14.4W PD, 55W PPS, 14.4W QC, 15 min to 50%, 43 min to 100% 50W wireless, 79 min to 100% 10W wireless reverse 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, SilverDiary White, Urban Blue, Green, Aston Martin Green
Models-RMX5210
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 899.99
SAR-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.27 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-60:32h endurance, 1100 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class D (60 falls)
Repairability-Class C

Motorola Edge S

  • Excellent value for money
  • Proven Snapdragon 870 performance
  • Reliable and efficient chipset

  • Slow 20W charging
  • Likely inferior display brightness
  • Potentially outdated camera system

Realme GT 8 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
  • Extremely bright 2262 nit display

  • Higher price point
  • Potential for increased heat under sustained load
  • May be overkill for basic users

Display Comparison

The Realme GT 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 2262 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Motorola Edge S, which lacks specific brightness data but is expected to be considerably lower. While both likely utilize high refresh rate panels, the GT 8 Pro’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator for outdoor use. The GT 8 Pro’s brightness also suggests a more advanced panel technology, potentially LTPO, allowing for dynamic refresh rate adjustments and improved power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Context data lacks detailed camera specifications for both devices. However, given the Realme GT 8 Pro’s positioning as a flagship, it’s reasonable to expect a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and advanced image processing capabilities. The Motorola Edge S, being a more budget-oriented device, likely features a more modest camera setup. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison, but the GT 8 Pro’s higher price point suggests a superior imaging experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) represents a substantial leap over the Motorola Edge S’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 8 Elite Gen 5 features Oryon V3 Phoenix cores clocked up to 4.6 GHz, offering a significant performance uplift in both CPU and GPU tasks. The 3nm process node also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the Snapdragon 870 remains a capable performer, the 8 Elite Gen 5 provides a more future-proof and responsive experience, particularly for demanding games and applications.

Battery Life

The Realme GT 8 Pro dominates in charging speed, offering 120W wired charging, 50W wireless, and even reverse wireless charging. It can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes and 100% in 43 minutes. The Motorola Edge S, with its 20W wired charging, is significantly slower. While the GT 8 Pro’s battery endurance is rated at 60:32h, the Edge S’s is not provided. The GT 8 Pro’s fast charging capabilities are a major convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The 1100 cycle rating also suggests a longer lifespan for the GT 8 Pro's battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge S if you need a capable daily driver with a proven chipset and don't require the absolute fastest charging speeds or bleeding-edge performance. It's ideal for users who prioritize value and a balanced experience. Buy the Realme GT 8 Pro if you demand top-tier performance for gaming and demanding applications, and if minimizing charging downtime is a critical factor. This phone caters to power users and those who want the latest technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Realme GT 8 Pro get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 870 in the Motorola Edge S during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while more powerful, is built on a 3nm process which *should* improve thermal efficiency. However, its higher performance ceiling means it can generate more heat under sustained load. Realme likely employs advanced cooling solutions to mitigate this, but some throttling is possible. The Snapdragon 870 in the Edge S is known for its thermal stability, making it less prone to throttling, but at the cost of peak performance.
❓ How much of a real-world performance difference will I see between the two phones for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming?
For typical daily tasks, the difference will be minimal. Both phones have ample processing power. However, the Realme GT 8 Pro will feel noticeably snappier when multitasking, opening demanding apps, or performing complex operations. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s superior CPU and GPU will provide a smoother and more responsive experience in these scenarios.
❓ Is the 120W charging of the Realme GT 8 Pro safe for the battery's long-term health?
Realme implements multiple safety measures to protect the battery during 120W charging, including temperature monitoring and optimized charging algorithms. While fast charging *can* theoretically contribute to faster battery degradation over the long term, the GT 8 Pro’s battery is rated for 1100 cycles, suggesting a robust design and effective battery management system. The convenience of rapid charging often outweighs the minimal potential impact on long-term battery health.