Motorola Moto X40 vs. vivo iQOO 11S: Which Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The Motorola Moto X40 and vivo iQOO 11S represent compelling approaches to the high-end Android market. Both leverage the potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but cater to different priorities: Motorola focuses on a balanced experience, while vivo aggressively pushes charging technology. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best overall value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing ultimate charging speed and a slightly more aggressive performance profile, the vivo iQOO 11S is the clear winner. However, the Motorola Moto X40 offers a more rounded package with competitive wireless charging and a potentially more refined software experience, making it ideal for those less obsessed with hitting 100% in record time.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto X40 vivo iQOO 11S
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 bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2022, December 152023, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 22Available. Released 2023, July 10
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame-
Dimensions161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)164.9 x 77.1 x 8.4 mm or 8.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)207 g or 210 g (7.30 oz)
 IP68 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 (~518 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, MYUI 6.0Android 13, OriginOS 3 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256GB/512GB-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 47mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB 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, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Ready For 3.5 support-
Battery
Charging125W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 7 min 15W wireless 5W reverse wired200W wired, PD3.0, UFCS
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueBlack, Sky Blue, Legendary White (BMW M branding)
ModelsXT2301-5V2304A
PriceAbout 540 EURAbout 500 EUR

Motorola Moto X40

  • 125W fast charging is still exceptionally quick.
  • Includes 15W wireless charging for added convenience.
  • Potentially cleaner software experience (Motorola's near-stock Android).

  • Charging speed is significantly slower than the iQOO 11S.
  • Lacks UFCS charging standard.

vivo iQOO 11S

  • Industry-leading 200W wired charging for incredibly fast top-ups.
  • UFCS charging standard for optimized power delivery.
  • Likely aggressive thermal management for sustained performance.

  • No wireless charging support.
  • vivo’s Funtouch OS can be polarizing.

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP for image processing, but display details are missing. Assuming both employ high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels, the key differentiator will be peak brightness and color calibration. The iQOO series historically prioritizes vibrant colors, while Motorola often aims for more natural tones. Without specific nit ratings, it’s difficult to declare a winner, but the iQOO’s panel is likely tuned for more visually striking content.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are absent, making a direct comparison challenging. However, given the flagship positioning, both devices likely feature a multi-camera system with a primary sensor capable of high-resolution photography. The iQOO series often emphasizes computational photography, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP for enhanced image processing. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or OIS implementation, it’s impossible to definitively say which camera system will perform better, but the iQOO’s software optimizations could provide a noticeable advantage in challenging lighting conditions.

Performance

Both the Motorola Moto X40 and vivo iQOO 11S are powered by the Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, the iQOO 11S, typical of the brand, likely employs a more aggressive cooling solution and sustained performance algorithms to maintain peak clock speeds for longer durations during demanding tasks like gaming. The 4nm process node ensures excellent thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling in both devices, but the iQOO’s thermal management could give it a slight edge.

Battery Life

The most significant difference lies in charging speed. The Motorola Moto X40 supports 125W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 7 minutes, alongside 15W wireless and 5W reverse wired charging. The vivo iQOO 11S, however, boasts an astonishing 200W wired charging, utilizing UFCS (USB Power Delivery Full Charge Specification) for even faster speeds. While battery capacity is unknown, the iQOO 11S will demonstrably charge much faster, a critical advantage for users who frequently need to replenish their battery quickly. The Moto X40’s inclusion of wireless charging provides added convenience, a feature absent in the iQOO 11S.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto X40 if you need a flagship with solid all-around performance, appreciate the convenience of 15W wireless charging, and prefer a potentially cleaner software experience. Buy the vivo iQOO 11S if you prioritize the absolute fastest wired charging available (200W), frequently find yourself needing to top up quickly, and don't mind a more customized Android skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the 200W charging on the iQOO 11S degrade the battery faster?
While 200W charging is incredibly fast, vivo employs battery health management technologies to mitigate potential degradation. UFCS helps regulate voltage and temperature, minimizing stress on the battery during rapid charging. However, all batteries degrade over time, and frequent use of extremely fast charging *may* slightly accelerate this process compared to slower charging methods.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto X40’s software experience closer to stock Android than other brands?
Motorola is known for its relatively clean Android implementation, often referred to as 'near-stock.' While not entirely devoid of customizations, the Moto X40’s software is expected to offer a more streamlined and less cluttered experience compared to brands like Xiaomi or OPPO, with fewer pre-installed apps and a more faithful adherence to Google’s Material You design language.
❓ Will either phone overheat during extended gaming sessions?
Both phones utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is thermally efficient. However, the iQOO 11S likely has a more robust cooling system designed for sustained peak performance. While both will get warm, the iQOO 11S is more likely to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods without significant throttling during demanding games.