Motorola Moto S30 Pro vs. vivo iQOO 9 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Power

The Motorola Moto S30 Pro and vivo iQOO 9 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone market. The Moto S30 Pro, leveraging the Snapdragon 888+, aims for a balance of performance and affordability, while the iQOO 9 Pro, powered by the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, prioritizes raw power and cutting-edge charging technology. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo iQOO 9 Pro emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Moto S30 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+, and the significantly faster 120W charging (0-100% in 20 minutes) and 50W wireless charging are compelling advantages. While the Moto S30 Pro offers a competitive price, the iQOO 9 Pro’s advancements justify the price premium.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto S30 Pro vivo iQOO 9 Pro
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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bandsSA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2022, August 112022, January 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, August 11Available. Released 2022, January 12
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)Glass front (Panda Glass), aluminum frame, glass back or aramid fiber back
Dimensions158.5 x 71.2 x 7.5 mm or 7.7 mm164.8 x 75.2 x 8.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight172 g / 167 g (5.89 oz)204 g or 210 g (7.20 oz)
 Splash and dust resistantSplash and dust resistant
Display
Protection-Panda Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~91.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, MYUI 4.0Android 12, Funtouch 12 (International), OriginOS Ocean (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 (V6)
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED lash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 60mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.3, 15mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", AF16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Ready For 3.5 support-
Battery
Charging68W wired, 50% in 10 min120W wired, 50% in 8 min, 100% in 20 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, BlackLegend (White w/ BMW M branding), Dark Cruise, Orange
ModelsXT2243-2V2172A, I2022
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 630 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 97h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 862324 (v8), 997948 (v9) GeekBench: 3708 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto S30 Pro

  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Solid Snapdragon 888+ performance for everyday tasks
  • Respectable battery endurance

  • Older Snapdragon 888+ chipset is less powerful than the Gen 1
  • Slower charging speeds compared to the iQOO 9 Pro
  • Limited details on camera capabilities

vivo iQOO 9 Pro

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
  • Ultra-fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Likely superior camera system (based on flagship positioning)

  • Higher price tag
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can be prone to thermal throttling under extreme load
  • Potential for software bloat (typical of vivo)

Display Comparison

The iQOO 9 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1000 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Moto S30 Pro (brightness data unavailable). While both displays feature an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the iQOO 9 Pro’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor visibility. Details regarding panel technology (LTPO, refresh rate) are missing for the Moto S30 Pro, but the iQOO 9 Pro’s display is likely to offer a smoother experience if it incorporates adaptive refresh rate technology.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information for either phone, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the iQOO 9 Pro, being a flagship device, is likely to feature a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The absence of details on the Moto S30 Pro’s camera suggests it may not be a primary selling point. We can assume the iQOO 9 Pro will offer more versatile photographic capabilities.

Performance

The iQOO 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Moto S30 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ (5nm). The Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 core, clocked at 3.00 GHz, outperforms the 888+'s Cortex-X1 at 2.99 GHz. Furthermore, the Gen 1 utilizes newer Cortex-A710 cores (2.50 GHz) versus the A78 cores (2.42 GHz) in the 888+, resulting in improved multi-core performance. The 4nm process node of the Gen 1 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones utilize LPDDR5 RAM, the iQOO 9 Pro’s chipset advantage will be noticeable in demanding applications and games.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 97 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite differing charging capabilities. However, the iQOO 9 Pro’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in just 8 minutes and a full charge in 20 minutes, compared to the Moto S30 Pro’s 68W charging (50% in 10 minutes). The iQOO 9 Pro also adds 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Moto S30 Pro. This charging speed advantage significantly reduces downtime and offers greater convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto S30 Pro if you prioritize value and a smooth, responsive experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. It’s an excellent option for users who don’t demand the absolute highest performance or fastest charging. Buy the vivo iQOO 9 Pro if you are a power user, gamer, or frequently rely on fast charging. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 120W charging capabilities make it ideal for those who push their phone to its limits and need minimal downtime.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the iQOO 9 Pro suffer from overheating issues during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate more heat than its predecessors. However, the iQOO 9 Pro likely incorporates advanced cooling solutions (vapor chamber, graphite sheets) to mitigate throttling. While some heat is expected during extended gaming, the iQOO 9 Pro’s thermal management should be sufficient for most users, offering sustained performance better than the 888+ in the Moto S30 Pro.
❓ How does the 120W charging of the iQOO 9 Pro affect battery health over the long term?
While extremely fast charging can theoretically accelerate battery degradation, modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging algorithms to minimize this effect. The iQOO 9 Pro’s charging system likely incorporates features like trickle charging and optimized voltage control to protect battery health. The convenience of rapid charging often outweighs the potential for slightly faster degradation over several years.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto S30 Pro a good choice for mobile gaming?
The Moto S30 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ is capable of handling most mobile games at high settings. However, the iQOO 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a noticeable performance advantage, particularly in demanding titles. The Moto S30 Pro may experience more frame drops or require lower settings in graphically intensive games.