Motorola Edge S30 vs Edge X30: The Ultimate Showdown

Motorola's Edge series offers compelling mid-to-premium smartphones, and the S30 and X30 are two of their most popular models. Both pack powerful processors and feature-rich designs, but significant differences exist. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which Edge phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Edge X30 generally wins thanks to its faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, significantly quicker 68W charging, and often a slightly better display. However, the S30 remains a strong contender, especially if you prioritize value and a slightly more compact design.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge S30 Motorola Edge X30
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, December 122021, December 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 21Available. Released 2021, December 15
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)
Dimensions168.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.62 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)194 g (6.84 oz)
 Water-repellent designWater-repellent design
Display
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 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLCD, 144Hz, HDR10OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM)
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, MYUI 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 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 lens50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@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 or 60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm, under display
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
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
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
 Ready For supportReady For support
Battery
Charging33W wired68W wired, 100% in 35 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4800 mAh (under screen camera version)
Misc
ColorsGlacier Blue, Phantom BlackWhite, Black
ModelsXT2175-2XT2201-2, XT2201-6
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 420 EUR

Motorola Edge S30

  • More affordable
  • Slightly more compact design
  • Good performance for the price
  • 144Hz OLED display

  • Slower charging (33W)
  • Slightly older chipset
  • Camera slightly less impressive than X30

Motorola Edge X30

  • Faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Ultra-fast 68W charging
  • Potentially better display and camera
  • Premium design

  • More expensive
  • Can run slightly warmer under heavy load
  • Larger size may not suit everyone

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. The X30 typically boasts a slightly higher resolution (FHD+ vs FHD) and potentially better color accuracy, though real-world differences are often subtle. The X30 also often has a slightly larger screen size.

Camera Comparison

While both offer capable camera systems, the X30 generally has a more advanced setup, often including a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. Expect slightly better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the X30. Both typically feature a wide and ultrawide lens.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the X30 provides a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 888+ in the S30. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the X30. Both phones handle everyday tasks with ease.

Battery Life

The X30's 68W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The S30's 33W charging is still respectable, but significantly slower. Battery capacity is often similar, but the X30's faster charging makes it the clear winner in this category.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Edge S30 is ideal for users seeking a high-performance phone at a more accessible price point, prioritizing a slightly smaller form factor, and not needing the absolute fastest charging. The Motorola Edge X30 is for those who demand top-tier performance, ultra-fast charging, and are willing to pay a premium for the latest technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Motorola Edge X30 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance and fast charging, the X30 is worth the investment. However, the S30 offers excellent value for those on a tighter budget.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While battery capacity is similar, the X30's faster charging makes it more convenient overall. Both offer all-day battery life with moderate usage.