Motorola Edge S30 vs Edge 30 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

Motorola's Edge series consistently delivers impressive features at competitive prices. But with multiple models, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Motorola Edge S30 against the Edge 30 Pro to help you decide which phone best fits your needs and budget.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Edge 30 Pro is the clear winner, boasting a newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, significantly faster charging, wireless charging, and a brighter display. While the S30 offers a compelling price point, the Pro's upgrades make it the superior choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge S30 Motorola Edge 30 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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 7, 12, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2021, December 122022, January 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 21Available. Released 2022, March 04
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions168.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.62 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 Water-repellent designWater-repellent design
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLCD, 144Hz, HDR10OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, MYUI 2.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Ready For supportReady For support
Battery
Charging33W wired68W wired, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsGlacier Blue, Phantom BlackCosmos Blue, Stardust White
ModelsXT2175-2XT2201-1
PriceAbout 280 EUR€ 475.45
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 80h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 941895 (v9) GeekBench: 3658 (v5.1) GFXBench: 78fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge S30

  • Excellent value for money
  • Smooth performance with Snapdragon 888+
  • Good display quality

  • Slower charging speed
  • No wireless charging
  • Less premium build quality

Motorola Edge 30 Pro

  • Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
  • Fast 68W wired charging
  • Wireless charging support
  • Brighter and higher contrast display
  • Excellent battery life

  • Higher price point
  • Potential for thermal throttling (common with 8 Gen 1)

Display Comparison

The Edge 30 Pro's display shines with a measured 685 nits of peak brightness, offering better visibility in sunlight compared to the S30. While both feature OLED panels, the Pro's contrast ratio is nominally infinite, suggesting superior black levels and overall image quality. The S30's display is still good, but the Pro takes the lead.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Edge 30 Pro likely has a slight edge in image processing and low-light performance due to its newer hardware. Specific camera specs are missing, but the Pro's overall system is expected to be more advanced. Both should capture good photos and videos in various conditions.

Performance

The Edge 30 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the S30's Snapdragon 888+ (5nm). Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Pro. Both phones offer ample RAM, but the newer chipset provides a tangible performance boost.

Battery Life

The Edge 30 Pro boasts an impressive endurance rating of 80 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The S30's battery life is likely good, but not as exceptional as the Pro's. The Edge 30 Pro's 68W wired charging is a game-changer, charging 50% in just 15 minutes, while the S30's 33W charging is slower.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Edge S30 is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize performance and a smooth experience without needing the latest features. The Motorola Edge 30 Pro is for those who demand top-tier performance, fast charging, wireless capabilities, and a premium display experience, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Motorola Edge 30 Pro worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, fast charging, and wireless capabilities, the Edge 30 Pro is definitely worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget, the S30 still offers a solid experience.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Motorola Edge 30 Pro, with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, will provide significantly better gaming performance than the Edge S30.