Motorola Moto X30 Pro vs Xiaomi 12S Ultra: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle

The Motorola Moto X30 Pro and Xiaomi 12S Ultra represent two distinct approaches to the high-end Android smartphone market. Both leverage the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but diverge significantly in areas like charging technology, display characteristics, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best value for specific user needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing blazing-fast charging and aren't overly concerned with nuanced display quality, the Motorola Moto X30 Pro is the clear winner. Its 125W charging dramatically reduces downtime. However, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra offers a more refined experience with its excellent display and comparable battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto X30 Pro Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bandsSA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, August 112022, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, August 11Available. Released 2022, July 09
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions161.7 x 73.5 x 8.4 mm (6.37 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)163.2 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198.5 g (7.02 oz)225 g (7.94 oz)
 Splash and dust resistantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1250 nits (peak)LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, MYUI 4.0Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm
Triple200 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.22", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/4.1, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 128˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@3840fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K, 1080p)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.64µm32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
 Ready For 3.5 supportVirtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging125W wired, 50% in 7 min, 100% in 19 min 50W wireless67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 41 min 50W wireless, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4610 mAhLi-Po 4860 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite, BlackBlack, Dark Green
ModelsXT2241-12203121C
PriceAbout 550 EUR$ 288.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 93h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto X30 Pro

  • Incredibly fast 125W wired charging
  • Potentially competitive performance due to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • 50W wireless charging support

  • Missing display specifications hinder comparison
  • Camera details are unknown, making it hard to assess quality

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

  • Excellent 93-hour battery endurance
  • Bright 1065 nit display with infinite contrast
  • Reputation for high-quality camera performance

  • Slower 67W wired charging compared to Moto X30 Pro
  • Wireless charging takes over an hour for a full charge

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1065 nits, which translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the Moto X30 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, Xiaomi’s panel offers an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. The lack of detailed display information for the Moto X30 Pro makes a direct comparison difficult, but Xiaomi’s focus on display quality is evident. Users who consume a lot of media or work outdoors will benefit from the 12S Ultra’s superior screen.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is known for its large 1-inch sensor, a significant advantage in low-light photography and dynamic range. The Moto X30 Pro’s camera specs are missing, making a direct sensor size comparison impossible. However, the 12S Ultra’s established reputation for camera excellence, particularly in challenging lighting conditions, gives it a clear edge. The absence of information regarding lens apertures and OIS on the Moto X30 Pro further solidifies the 12S Ultra’s potential photographic superiority.

Performance

Both the Motorola Moto X30 Pro and Xiaomi 12S Ultra are powered by the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, thermal management – not explicitly detailed in the provided data – will be a key differentiator. The 4nm process node helps with efficiency, but sustained workloads could still lead to throttling. The absence of RAM specifications for the Moto X30 Pro prevents a full comparison, but assuming both utilize LPDDR5X, performance differences will be minimal.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra achieves an impressive endurance rating of 93 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Moto X30 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its 125W wired charging is its standout feature, achieving a 50% charge in just 7 minutes and a full charge in 19 minutes. The 12S Ultra takes considerably longer at 41 minutes for a full wired charge. The 50W wireless charging is common to both, but the 12S Ultra takes 52 minutes to fully charge wirelessly, while the Moto X30 Pro’s wireless charging time is not provided. The Moto X30 Pro trades battery endurance for charging speed, catering to users who prioritize quick top-ups over all-day battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto X30 Pro if you need the absolute fastest charging speeds available and frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery quickly. This phone is ideal for power users and those constantly on the go. Buy the Xiaomi 12S Ultra if you prefer a phone with a brighter, more visually appealing display and value long-term battery endurance, even if it means slightly slower charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much faster is the Motorola Moto X30 Pro's charging in real-world use?
The Moto X30 Pro's 125W charging is significantly faster. A 0-100% charge takes just 19 minutes, compared to 41 minutes for the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. This means you can add hours of usage with a very short charging session, ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 12S Ultra's camera perform well in low-light conditions?
Yes, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is renowned for its exceptional low-light performance, largely due to its large 1-inch sensor. This sensor captures significantly more light than smaller sensors, resulting in brighter, clearer images with less noise in dark environments.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in either phone overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a powerful chip, and both phones *could* experience thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming. However, the effectiveness of each phone's cooling system (not detailed here) will be the deciding factor. Monitoring temperatures during gameplay is recommended.
❓ What is the benefit of 10W reverse wireless charging on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra?
The 10W reverse wireless charging allows you to use the Xiaomi 12S Ultra to wirelessly charge smaller devices like earbuds or smartwatches. While not a primary feature, it can be convenient in a pinch when you don't have access to a traditional charger.