Realme GT2 vs Motorola Edge X30: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon Generations

The Realme GT2 and Motorola Edge X30 represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone market. The GT2, leveraging the Snapdragon 888, aims for a balance of performance and efficiency, while the Edge X30 jumps to the newer, more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between these two generations, focusing on real-world impact for users.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Edge X30 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset delivers a noticeable performance uplift over the GT2’s Snapdragon 888, despite a slightly longer charging time. While the GT2 offers respectable endurance, the Edge X30’s raw power justifies the minor compromise.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme GT2 Motorola Edge X30
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China-
Launch
Announced2022, January 042021, December 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 08Available. Released 2021, December 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frameGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)
Dimensions162.9 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight194.5 / 199.8 g (6.88 oz)194 g (6.84 oz)
 -Water-repellent design
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-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, Realme UI 3.0Android 12, MYUI 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm or 60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm, under display
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -Ready For support
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 33 min68W wired, 100% in 35 min
Type5000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4800 mAh (under screen camera version)
Misc
ColorsPaper White, Paper Green, Steel Black, Titanium BlueWhite, Black
ModelsRMX3310, RMX3312, RMX3311XT2201-2, XT2201-6
PriceAbout 790 EURAbout 420 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 115h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.8 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 810512 (v9) GeekBench: 3487 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Realme GT2

  • Proven Snapdragon 888 performance
  • Fast 65W charging (33 minutes)
  • Excellent display brightness (846 nits)

  • Older chipset prone to thermal throttling
  • Less powerful CPU compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

Motorola Edge X30

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Improved power efficiency (4nm process)
  • Faster CPU and GPU performance

  • Slightly slower charging (35 minutes)
  • Potential for higher heat generation under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Realme GT2 boasts a display capable of reaching 846 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Edge X30’s display specifications aren’t provided, Motorola typically prioritizes color accuracy in its flagship displays. The GT2’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard OLED panel, while the Edge X30 may incorporate LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, potentially improving battery efficiency. Without specific details on the Edge X30’s panel, the GT2’s measured brightness gives it a slight edge for outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given the market positioning, we can infer that the Edge X30 likely features a more advanced camera system. Motorola has been increasingly focusing on camera quality in its flagship devices. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s improved ISP capabilities also contribute to better image processing. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Edge X30’s newer chipset provides a foundation for superior image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme GT2 utilizes the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 (5nm), while the Motorola Edge X30 features the SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm). The 8 Gen 1’s 4nm process offers improved power efficiency and higher transistor density compared to the 888’s 5nm node, translating to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. The Edge X30’s CPU, with its Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.00 GHz, outperforms the GT2’s Cortex-X1 at 2.84 GHz. This difference is particularly noticeable in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Edge X30’s newer architecture also benefits from improvements in AI processing and image signal processing.

Battery Life

The Realme GT2 has an endurance rating of 115 hours, indicating solid battery life. It supports 65W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in 33 minutes. The Motorola Edge X30 offers 68W wired charging, taking 35 minutes for a full charge. While the Edge X30’s charging is slightly slower, the 4nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the minor charging speed difference. The GT2’s endurance rating suggests a well-optimized power management system, but the Edge X30’s more efficient chipset could deliver comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity (spec not provided).

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme GT2 if you prioritize a proven, thermally stable chipset and are looking for a slightly more affordable flagship experience. It’s ideal for users who enjoy moderate gaming and value consistent performance over peak bursts. Buy the Motorola Edge X30 if you demand the latest processing power for demanding tasks like heavy gaming, video editing, or running resource-intensive applications. It’s the better choice for power users who want the fastest possible Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Motorola Edge X30 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is more powerful, it's also known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 888. Motorola likely implemented thermal management solutions, such as vapor chamber cooling, to mitigate this. However, expect some throttling during prolonged, demanding gaming, though it should still outperform the GT2 overall.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the Realme GT2 significantly slower than the 68W on the Edge X30 in real-world use?
The difference of 3 minutes to fully charge is negligible for most users. The GT2’s 65W charging is still very fast and will top up the battery quickly. The Edge X30’s slightly faster charging is a minor advantage, but not a deciding factor.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge X30 support high refresh rate gaming?
While not explicitly stated, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is capable of driving high refresh rate displays. Given Motorola’s focus on performance, it’s highly probable the Edge X30 supports 120Hz or higher refresh rates in compatible games, providing a smoother gaming experience.