The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 2 Lite and Motorola Edge 30 Neo represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, but diverge significantly in areas like charging speed and display capabilities, creating a clear trade-off for potential customers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing rapid replenishment, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo is the clear winner thanks to its 68W wired and 5W wireless charging. However, the OnePlus Nord 2 Lite remains a strong contender, offering a comparable experience at potentially a lower price point, making it ideal for those less concerned with charging speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, September 08 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, October 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm (6.02 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| | - | Splash and dust resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | P-OLED, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1 | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 68W wired
5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black Dusk, Blue Tide | Very Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, Aqua Foam |
| Models | - | XT2245-1 |
| Price | - | € 156.44 / $ 185.00 / £ 229.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.4 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 380818 (v9)
GeekBench: 1964 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
OnePlus Nord 2 Lite
- Potentially lower price point
- OnePlus's typically optimized software
- Reliable Snapdragon 695 5G performance
- Slower 33W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
- No wireless charging
Motorola Edge 30 Neo
- 68W wired and 5W wireless charging
- Brighter 1004 nit display
- Potentially better outdoor visibility
- May be more expensive
- Software experience may not be as refined as OnePlus
- Similar performance to Nord 2 Lite
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1004 nits. This is a substantial advantage for outdoor visibility compared to the Nord 2 Lite, which lacks published brightness data but is expected to be lower. While both displays share an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the higher brightness of the Edge 30 Neo translates to a more vibrant and readable experience in direct sunlight. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests standard 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rates, impacting smoothness compared to flagship devices.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details in the provided data. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it's reasonable to assume both phones will rely on software processing to enhance image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, as image quality will be significantly lower than the main sensor. The Edge 30 Neo may have an edge if it incorporates larger sensors or more advanced image stabilization.
Performance
Both the OnePlus Nord 2 Lite and Motorola Edge 30 Neo are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. This means performance will be largely identical for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The real-world difference will likely come down to RAM management and software optimization, areas where OnePlus historically excels. Thermal throttling, however, could become a factor during sustained heavy loads, and the 6nm process node doesn't offer the same thermal headroom as more advanced nodes.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s 68W wired charging is a game-changer, drastically reducing charging times compared to the Nord 2 Lite’s 33W charging. The addition of 5W wireless charging on the Edge 30 Neo provides further convenience, a feature absent on the Nord 2 Lite. While the battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed of the Edge 30 Neo effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 Lite if you prioritize value and a reliable, if not groundbreaking, smartphone experience. It's the choice for users who don't mind slower charging and are looking for a dependable daily driver. Buy the Motorola Edge 30 Neo if you value fast charging – both wired and wireless – and a brighter display, even if it means potentially paying a premium. This phone suits users who are frequently on the go and need to quickly top up their battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 5G in either phone struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 695 5G is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but demanding titles like Genshin Impact will require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates on both the Nord 2 Lite and Edge 30 Neo. Expect to prioritize battery life over visual fidelity.
❓ Is the 5W wireless charging on the Motorola Edge 30 Neo fast enough for overnight top-ups?
While 5W wireless charging is slower than wired charging, it's perfectly adequate for overnight top-ups. Leaving the Edge 30 Neo on a wireless charger overnight will ensure a fully charged battery by morning, offering convenient replenishment without cable clutter.
❓ How does the software experience differ between OxygenOS on the Nord 2 Lite and My UX on the Edge 30 Neo?
OxygenOS (OnePlus) is generally known for its clean interface and smooth performance, while My UX (Motorola) offers a near-stock Android experience with a few Motorola-specific customizations. OxygenOS often includes more advanced features and customization options, but My UX prioritizes simplicity and bloatware-free operation.
