Realme Q3s vs Motorola Edge 20 Fusion: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The Realme Q3s and Motorola Edge 20 Fusion represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to achieving it, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme Q3s emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better long-term thermal management compared to the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s Dimensity 800U. While both offer 30W charging, the Q3s’ superior processing power makes it the better all-rounder.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme Q3s Motorola Edge 20 Fusion
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 66 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, October 192021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 01Available. Released 2021, August 27
Body
Build-Glass front
Dimensions164.4 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)166 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 -Water-repellent design
Display
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 144Hz, 600 nitsOLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G57 MC3
OSAndroid 11, Realme UI 2.0Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide)-
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide)32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 25 min30W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsAurora, Dark BlueElectric Graphite, Cyber Teal
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 250 EUR

Realme Q3s

  • Superior chipset performance with Snapdragon 778G
  • More efficient 6nm process for better battery life and thermal management
  • Potentially better image processing due to advanced ISP

  • Realme’s UI can be polarizing for some users
  • Lack of detailed display specifications

Motorola Edge 20 Fusion

  • Potentially refined software experience (Motorola’s near-stock Android)
  • Competitive price point
  • 30W fast charging

  • Older Dimensity 800U chipset with less processing power
  • Less efficient 7nm process
  • Potentially inferior image processing

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature 120Hz AMOLED panels. The key difference will likely lie in peak brightness and color calibration. Motorola historically focuses on accurate color profiles, while Realme often prioritizes vibrant, punchy colors. The absence of LTPO technology on either suggests standard refresh rate scaling, impacting battery life during dynamic content.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, analysis is limited. However, the chipset plays a role. The Snapdragon 778G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more advanced than the Dimensity 800U’s, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The absence of information regarding sensor size and OIS makes a definitive camera comparison impossible, but the Q3s’ superior processing power gives it an edge in computational photography.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Q3s boasts the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 2.4GHz. This is a significant advantage over the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm). While both are octa-core, the Dimensity 800U uses older Cortex-A76 cores at 2.4GHz, and a less efficient 7nm process. The Snapdragon 778G’s Adreno 642L GPU also provides a substantial graphical uplift. This translates to smoother gaming, faster app loading times, and improved multitasking on the Realme Q3s. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.

Battery Life

Both devices feature 30W wired charging, offering a similar charging speed – both claim 50% charge in around 25 minutes. The actual battery capacity is unknown for both devices. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process is more power-efficient than the Dimensity 800U’s 7nm process. This means the Realme Q3s is likely to achieve comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar or even smaller battery capacity. The efficiency gain is crucial for all-day usability.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme Q3s if you prioritize gaming performance, sustained CPU/GPU loads, and future-proofing with a more modern chipset architecture. It’s ideal for users who frequently multitask, play demanding mobile games, or simply want a phone that feels responsive for years to come. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion if you prefer a potentially more refined software experience (depending on Motorola’s skin) and are less concerned with pushing the absolute limits of mobile gaming or intensive applications. It’s a solid choice for everyday tasks and media consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 778G in the Realme Q3s handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G is well-equipped to handle Genshin Impact and other demanding titles at medium to high settings. The Adreno 642L GPU provides ample graphical power, and the 6nm process helps prevent significant throttling during extended gaming sessions. Expect playable frame rates with some adjustments to graphics settings.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
While the Dimensity 800U supports 5G, the extent of its carrier aggregation capabilities varies by region and carrier. Motorola doesn't explicitly detail the supported bands for the Edge 20 Fusion. Users should check with their carrier to confirm compatibility and supported 5G features in their area.
❓ How does Realme’s UI compare to Motorola’s My UX in terms of bloatware?
Realme UI is known to include more pre-installed apps (bloatware) than Motorola’s My UX, which aims for a near-stock Android experience. Motorola generally offers a cleaner software experience with fewer customizations, while Realme UI provides more features and customization options, but at the cost of some pre-installed software.