Motorola Edge X30 vs. Apple iPhone 12: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The Motorola Edge X30 offers flagship specs at a competitive price, while the iPhone 12 remains a popular choice with its iOS ecosystem and established reputation. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Edge X30 delivers significantly faster processing power and quicker charging. However, the iPhone 12 boasts exceptional battery life and the seamless integration of the Apple ecosystem. Ultimately, the Edge X30 wins on performance and value, while the iPhone 12 excels in longevity and user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge X30 Apple iPhone 12
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, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2172
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - A2172
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, December 092020, October 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 15Available. Released 2020, October 23
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight194 g (6.84 oz)164 g (5.78 oz)
 Water-repellent design-
Display
Protection-Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM)Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 625 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSAndroid 12, MYUI 3.0iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
Dual-12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6"
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Triple50 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@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 30fps), stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm or 60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm, under display12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CLightning, USB 2.0
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, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Ready For support-
Battery
Charging68W wired, 100% in 35 minWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.4 update
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4800 mAh (under screen camera version)Li-Ion 2815 mAh (10.78 Wh)
Misc
ColorsWhite, BlackBlack, White, Red, Green, Blue, Purple
ModelsXT2201-2, XT2201-6A2403, A2172, A2402, A2404, iPhone13,2
PriceAbout 420 EUR$ 190.00 / C$ 307.99 / £ 190.00 / € 219.00 / ₹ 54,900
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 84h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.4 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 568674 (v8) GeekBench: 4067 (v5.1) GFXBench: 58fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge X30

  • Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
  • 68W fast charging
  • Competitive price
  • High refresh rate display
  • Modern design

  • iOS ecosystem not available
  • Camera not as consistently excellent as iPhone 12
  • Battery life not as impressive as iPhone 12

Apple iPhone 12

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Seamless iOS ecosystem integration
  • Excellent camera quality, especially video
  • MagSafe wireless charging
  • Strong resale value

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Higher price point
  • Older chipset compared to Edge X30
  • Less customizable than Android

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent displays. The iPhone 12's OLED panel offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, while the Edge X30's display is generally very good, though potentially not quite as color-accurate out of the box. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio claim is nominal for both, but both offer excellent viewing experiences.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 12 consistently delivers excellent image quality, particularly in video recording. The Edge X30's camera is capable, but may not match the iPhone 12's overall consistency and computational photography prowess. Low-light performance is generally better on the iPhone 12.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Edge X30 is significantly more powerful than the A14 Bionic in the iPhone 12, especially in raw processing power and graphics performance. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the Edge X30. However, iOS optimization often allows the iPhone 12 to feel responsive despite the hardware difference.

Battery Life

The iPhone 12's endurance rating of 84h is exceptional, significantly outperforming the Edge X30. While the Edge X30's 68W charging is incredibly fast, the iPhone 12's battery life advantage is substantial.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Edge X30 is ideal for power users, gamers, and those seeking top-tier performance without breaking the bank. The Apple iPhone 12 is a great choice for users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, prioritizing long battery life, and valuing a polished, user-friendly experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Motorola Edge X30 worth buying over an iPhone 12?
It depends on your priorities. If you want raw power and fast charging at a lower price, the Edge X30 is a great choice. If you value battery life, iOS, and a consistently excellent camera, the iPhone 12 remains a strong contender.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The iPhone 12 will likely receive software updates for a longer period due to Apple's commitment to iOS updates. Motorola's update support can be less consistent.