Motorola Moto S30 Pro vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro: A Deep Dive Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth, intelligent experience and excellent camera processing, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is the better choice. However, the Motorola Moto S30 Pro offers compelling value for gamers and power users who need fast charging and aren't as reliant on Google's software features.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto S30 Pro | Google Pixel 6 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GLUOG, G8VOU |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G8VOU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GLUOG | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 11 | 2021, October 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 11 | Available. Released 2021, October 28 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 71.2 x 7.5 mm or 7.7 mm | 163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 172 g / 167 g (5.89 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Splash and dust resistant | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~91.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ | LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 12, MYUI 4.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 104mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", AF | 11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Ready For 3.5 support | Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 68W wired, 50% in 10 min | 23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4400 mAh | Li-Ion 5003 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny, Stormy Black |
| Models | XT2243-2 | GLUOG, G8VOU, GF5KQ |
| Price | About 330 EUR | € 199.99 / $ 204.99 / £ 275.00 / ₹ 29,699 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 84h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 585485 (v8), 719815 (v9) GeekBench: 2831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39 fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto S30 Pro
- Significantly faster 68W wired charging
- Potentially better gaming performance due to Snapdragon 888+
- More affordable price point
- Less sophisticated camera processing
- Missing wireless charging capabilities
- Uncertain software update commitment
Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Superior camera image processing and features
- Clean and intuitive software experience with guaranteed updates
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Slower 23W wired charging
- Higher price tag
- Tensor chip may not match Snapdragon in raw gaming power
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 6 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 846 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the Moto S30 Pro. While the S30 Pro’s panel specifications are missing, the Pixel 6 Pro’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio ensures deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Pixel 6 Pro’s larger display size and potentially higher refresh rate (assumed, based on market positioning) contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. The lack of LTPO information for the S30 Pro suggests it may not dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving like the Pixel 6 Pro likely does.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 6 Pro’s camera system is heavily reliant on Google’s computational photography prowess powered by the Tensor chip. While specific sensor details for the Moto S30 Pro are missing, the Pixel 6 Pro’s image processing excels in dynamic range, color accuracy, and low-light performance. The Tensor chip enables features like Face Unblur and Motion Mode, enhancing image quality beyond what hardware alone can achieve. The Pixel 6 Pro’s focus on software optimization gives it a significant advantage in image quality, even if the S30 Pro has comparable hardware specifications. The absence of details on the S30 Pro’s OIS and lens apertures makes a direct hardware comparison difficult, but the Pixel 6 Pro’s established reputation in camera performance is a strong advantage.
Performance
Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs with Cortex-X1 prime cores, but differ in their overall architecture. The Moto S30 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ (5nm) features a 2.99 GHz Cortex-X1, while the Pixel 6 Pro’s Google Tensor (5nm) clocks its X1 cores at 2.80 GHz. Despite the slightly higher clock speed, the Snapdragon 888+ is known for its strong GPU performance, making the S30 Pro a better choice for demanding mobile games. However, the Tensor chip excels in AI and machine learning tasks, powering features like Magic Eraser and improved voice recognition. The Pixel 6 Pro’s Tensor chip is also optimized for Google’s camera algorithms, resulting in superior image processing. Both utilize Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, but the Pixel 6 Pro uses Cortex-A76 performance cores, while the S30 Pro uses A78, giving the Pixel a slight edge in sustained performance.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 84 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing battery capacities (unspecified for the S30 Pro). However, their charging speeds are drastically different. The Moto S30 Pro’s 68W wired charging can reach 50% in just 10 minutes, while the Pixel 6 Pro takes 30 minutes to reach the same level with its 23W charger. The Pixel 6 Pro also offers 23W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the S30 Pro. While the S30 Pro’s faster wired charging is a significant convenience, the Pixel 6 Pro’s wireless charging options add versatility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto S30 Pro if you need a phone primarily for gaming, demand the fastest possible charging speeds (68W), and prefer a more customizable Android experience. Buy the Google Pixel 6 Pro if you prioritize computational photography, a clean and intuitive software experience with guaranteed updates, and a more balanced overall package with strong battery endurance.