Motorola G96 vs. Edge 30 Neo: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

Motorola's mid-range lineup offers compelling choices, but the G96 and Edge 30 Neo present a clear fork in the road. The G96 prioritizes raw processing power with its newer Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, while the Edge 30 Neo focuses on a more refined experience with faster charging and a brighter display. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing speed and sustained performance, the Motorola G96 is the better buy. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 offers a noticeable advantage in CPU and GPU tasks. However, the Edge 30 Neo’s 68W charging is a significant convenience factor, making it ideal for those who frequently need a quick power boost.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola G96 Motorola Edge 30 Neo
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 421, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, July 092022, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, July 16Available. Released 2022, October 07
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions161.9 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm (6.37 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm (6.02 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight178 g (6.28 oz)155 g (5.47 oz)
 -Splash and dust resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 1600 nits (peak)P-OLED, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Adreno 619
OSAndroid 15, up to 1 major Android upgradeAndroid 12, planned upgrade to Android 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS1080p@30/60/120fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired68W wired 5W wireless
Type5500 mAhLi-Po 4020 mAh
Misc
ColorsPantone (Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, Dresden Blue, Ashleigh Blue)Very Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, Aqua Foam
Models-XT2245-1
Price₹ 16,304€ 156.44 / $ 185.00 / £ 229.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 380818 (v9) GeekBench: 1964 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola G96

  • More powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
  • Improved thermal efficiency for sustained performance
  • Potentially better value for performance-focused users

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Display likely less bright than Edge 30 Neo

Motorola Edge 30 Neo

  • Significantly faster 68W wired charging
  • Brighter display (1004 nits)
  • 5W wireless charging support

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • Potentially more throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1004 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the G96. This makes the Edge 30 Neo far more usable in direct sunlight. While both displays are listed with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term), the higher peak brightness is a tangible benefit. The G96’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially lower quality panel, though color accuracy and resolution are not specified for either device.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout performer in photography. It's likely both rely on software processing to enhance image quality, and the 2MP macro cameras commonly found in this segment are unlikely to deliver significant value.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola G96’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) is architecturally superior to the Edge 30 Neo’s Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The 7s Gen 2 features four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.40 GHz, providing a substantial performance uplift over the 695’s two Kryo 660 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. The 4nm process node of the 7s Gen 2 also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the 695 offers 5G connectivity, the 7s Gen 2 provides a more robust overall performance experience.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite unspecified battery capacities. However, the Edge 30 Neo’s charging capabilities are dramatically faster, supporting 68W wired charging and 5W wireless charging, while the G96 is limited to 30W wired charging. This means the Edge 30 Neo can replenish its battery much more quickly, going from 0-100% in a fraction of the time compared to the G96.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola G96 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding apps and games without significant throttling, and if you value raw processing power over ultra-fast charging. Buy the Motorola Edge 30 Neo if you prioritize convenience and rapid charging, and if your usage primarily revolves around social media, streaming, and light gaming. The Edge 30 Neo is also a better fit for users who value a brighter display for outdoor visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Edge 30 Neo struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 695 is a capable chipset for most tasks, but it will likely require reduced graphics settings and frame rate caps in demanding games like Genshin Impact to maintain a smooth experience. The G96’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 will provide a noticeably better gaming experience with higher and more stable frame rates.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Motorola Edge 30 Neo with the 68W charger?
While Motorola doesn't provide exact figures, 68W charging typically takes around 45-60 minutes to charge a phone from 0% to 100%. This is a substantial improvement over the G96’s 30W charging, which could take upwards of 90-120 minutes for a full charge.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the G96 and Edge 30 Neo noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and email, the difference in performance will be minimal. However, when multitasking, editing photos/videos, or launching demanding apps, the G96’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 will feel significantly snappier and more responsive.