Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The Motorola Moto S30 Pro and Honor X9a offer compelling features at different price points. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto S30 Pro is the clear winner in terms of performance and charging speed thanks to its Snapdragon 888+ chipset and 68W charging. However, the Honor X9a might offer better value for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing a large display and potentially a more durable build.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 11 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 11 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) | - |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 71.2 x 7.5 mm or 7.7 mm | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g / 167 g (5.89 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~91.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, MYUI 4.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| 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 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", AF | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Ready For 3.5 support | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 68W wired, 50% in 10 min | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4400 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | XT2243-2 | RMO-NX1 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | $ 212.08 |
Motorola Moto S30 Pro
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 888+)
- Fast Charging (68W)
- Potentially Better Camera
- Smooth User Experience
- Potentially Higher Price
- Software Updates May Be Slower
- Design Might Be Less Distinctive
Honor X9a
- Larger Display (Likely)
- More Affordable Price
- Potentially Durable Build
- Good Value for Money
- Lower Performance (Snapdragon 695)
- Slower Charging (40W)
- Less Capable Camera
- Software Experience May Vary
Display Comparison
The Honor X9a likely boasts a larger display, potentially a curved AMOLED panel, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Moto S30 Pro's display is expected to be high quality, but potentially smaller and flatter. Resolution and refresh rate will be key factors to consider.
Camera Comparison
The Moto S30 Pro is expected to have a more capable camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. The Honor X9a's camera is likely decent but won't match the S30 Pro's capabilities. Low-light performance will be a key differentiator.
Performance
The Snapdragon 888+ in the Moto S30 Pro provides significantly superior performance compared to the Snapdragon 695 in the Honor X9a. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Moto S30 Pro.
Battery Life
While both phones offer adequate battery life, the Moto S30 Pro's 68W charging significantly outperforms the Honor X9a's 40W charging, allowing for much faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto S30 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and a smooth user experience. The Honor X9a is a good choice for those seeking a large display, a more affordable price tag, and potentially a focus on design and durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Motorola Moto S30 Pro is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both offer decent battery life, but the Moto S30 Pro's faster charging makes it more convenient.
❓ Is the Honor X9a a good budget phone?
Yes, the Honor X9a offers good value for money, especially if you prioritize a large display and affordability.
❓ Does the Moto S30 Pro get regular software updates?
Motorola's software update track record can be inconsistent, so it's something to consider.
