Motorola Edge S30 vs Edge 20 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

Motorola's Edge series consistently delivers impressive features at competitive prices. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This in-depth comparison pits the Motorola Edge S30 against the Edge 20 Pro, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Edge S30 boasts a significantly faster Snapdragon 888+ chipset, offering superior performance for gaming and demanding tasks. However, the Edge 20 Pro maintains a slight edge with its excellent battery life and potentially better camera optimization. Ultimately, the S30 wins for raw power, while the 20 Pro offers a more balanced experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge S30 Motorola Edge 20 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, December 122021, July 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 21Available. Released 2021, August 16
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) or eco leather back
Dimensions168.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.62 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)185/190 g (depending on color) (6.53 oz)
 Water-repellent designWater-repellent design
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLCD, 144Hz, HDR10OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 650
OSAndroid 11, MYUI 2.0Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm Auxiliary lens108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 126mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Ready For support-
Battery
Charging33W wired30W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsGlacier Blue, Phantom BlackMidnight Blue, Blue Vegan Leather, Iridescent Cloud
ModelsXT2175-2XT2153-1
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 330 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 112h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -29.2 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 711090 (v9) GeekBench: 3140 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge S30

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 888+)
  • Faster Charging (33W)
  • Potentially better display color accuracy

  • Potentially shorter battery life
  • Camera software optimization may be less refined
  • Design may be less premium

Motorola Edge 20 Pro

  • Excellent Battery Life (112h endurance rating)
  • Bright Display (673 nits)
  • Reputation for good camera processing

  • Slightly slower performance (Snapdragon 870)
  • Slower Charging (30W)
  • Contrast ratio claim is nominal

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, but the Edge 20 Pro's measured 673 nits max brightness gives it a slight advantage in outdoor visibility. The Edge 20 Pro also touts an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent blacks and vibrant colors, though this is a nominal claim. The S30's display is likely very good, but lacks specific brightness data.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is more nuanced. Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Edge 20 Pro has a reputation for excellent image processing and consistent results. The S30's camera hardware is competitive, but its software optimization might not be as refined. Specific camera specs (megapixels, sensor sizes) would be needed for a more precise comparison.

Performance

The Snapdragon 888+ in the Edge S30 is the clear winner here. It's a more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 870 in the Edge 20 Pro, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. While the 870 is still a capable processor, the 888+ offers a noticeable upgrade.

Battery Life

The Edge 20 Pro shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 112 hours. While the S30's battery capacity is likely similar, the 888+ chipset is more power-hungry, potentially leading to shorter battery life. The 30W wired charging on the 20 Pro is slightly slower than the S30's 33W charging, but the difference is minimal.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Edge S30 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and speed, particularly gamers and those who frequently use resource-intensive apps. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro is a better choice for those seeking a well-rounded device with long battery life, a vibrant display, and a reliable camera system, without sacrificing too much performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Motorola Edge S30 worth the extra cost over the Edge 20 Pro?
If performance is your top priority, the S30's Snapdragon 888+ makes it worth the investment. However, if battery life and a consistently good camera are more important, the 20 Pro remains a compelling option.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Motorola Edge S30, thanks to its more powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset, will provide a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.