Motorola Edge X30 vs. Edge (2021): A Detailed Showdown

Motorola's Edge series offers compelling mid-range and flagship options. The Edge X30 arrived boasting a flagship processor, while the Edge (2021) provided a more balanced experience. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to determine which phone is the better choice for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Edge X30 is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, faster charging, and generally more premium feel. However, the Edge (2021) remains a solid choice for those prioritizing a more budget-friendly option and a slightly more compact design.

PHONES
Phone Names	Motorola Edge X30	Motorola Edge (2021)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6	2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2021, December 09	2021, August 19
Status	Available. Released 2021, December 15	Available. Released 2021, September 02

Body
Build	Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)	Glass front, plastic back
Dimensions	163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)	169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Weight	194 g (6.84 oz)	200 g (7.05 oz)
	Water-repellent design	Water-repellent design

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)	1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)	6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM)	LCD, 144Hz, HDR10

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Adreno 642L
OS	Android 12, MYUI 3.0	Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	-

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple	50 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	108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm or 60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm, under display	32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C	USB Type-C 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
	Ready For support	-

Battery
Charging	68W wired, 100% in 35 min	30W wired
Type	Market-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4800 mAh (under screen camera version)	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	White, Black	Nebula Blue
Models	XT2201-2, XT2201-6	XT2141-1
Price	About 420 EUR	About 90 EUR

Motorola Edge X30

Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
68W fast charging
Excellent display with 144Hz refresh rate
Versatile camera system
Premium build quality

Can get warm under heavy load
Larger size may not suit everyone
Potentially higher price

Motorola Edge (2021)

Good value for money
Reliable performance for everyday tasks
Decent camera system
More compact design than the X30

Slower performance compared to the X30
Slower 30W charging
Less premium build quality

Display Comparison

The Edge X30 features a larger 6.7-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smoother visuals and vibrant colors. The Edge (2021) has a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, but generally has slightly lower peak brightness. Both offer excellent viewing experiences, but the X30's larger size and potentially slightly better brightness give it a slight edge.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems. The Edge X30 typically features a 50MP main sensor, 50MP ultrawide, and a depth sensor. The Edge (2021) has a 108MP main sensor, 13MP ultrawide, and a depth sensor. While the Edge (2021) has higher megapixel count, the X30's image processing and newer sensor technology often result in better overall image quality, especially in low light. Video recording capabilities are also generally superior on the X30.

Performance

This is where the X30 truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a flagship processor, delivering significantly faster performance than the Edge (2021)'s Snapdragon 778G 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience on the X30.

Battery Life

The Edge X30 packs a larger 4500mAh battery compared to the Edge (2021)'s 4500mAh battery. However, the X30's 68W fast charging blows the Edge (2021)'s 30W charging out of the water, allowing for significantly faster top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Edge X30 is ideal for power users, gamers, and anyone who demands top-tier performance and fast charging. The Edge (2021) is a great pick for users seeking a reliable, well-rounded smartphone with a good camera and a more manageable price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Motorola Edge X30 worth the extra money?

If you prioritize performance and fast charging, the Edge X30 is definitely worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget and don't need the absolute fastest speeds, the Edge (2021) remains a solid choice.

❓ Which phone has better battery life?

Both phones have a 4500mAh battery, so battery life is comparable. However, the Edge X30's faster charging means you can top up the battery much quicker.