Realme X9 vs Motorola Edge 30 Neo: Which Mid-Range Phone Wins?

The Realme X9 and Motorola Edge 30 Neo represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they prioritize different aspects – the Realme X9 focuses on rapid charging, while the Motorola Edge 30 Neo emphasizes battery endurance and a bright display. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained usability, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo emerges as the better choice. Its measured 1004 nits peak brightness and 104-hour endurance rating offer a more consistently enjoyable experience, outweighing the slightly faster 65W charging of the Realme X9.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme X9 Motorola Edge 30 Neo
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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
AnnouncedNot announced yet2022, September 08
StatusCancelledAvailable. Released 2022, October 07
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions-152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm (6.02 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-155 g (5.47 oz)
 -Splash and dust resistant
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm26.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10P-OLED, 120Hz
Platform
CPU-Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
Chipset-Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPU-Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, Realme UI 2.0Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS-
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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30/60/120fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
SingleUnspecified32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack UnspecifiedNo
35mm jackUnspecifiedNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCUnspecifiedYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired68W wired 5W wireless
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4020 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack; other colorsVery 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)

Realme X9

  • Faster 65W wired charging
  • Potentially lower price (depending on market)
  • Realme UI offers customization options

  • Missing display brightness data
  • Lower endurance rating compared to Edge 30 Neo
  • Lack of wireless charging

Motorola Edge 30 Neo

  • Brighter 1004 nits display
  • Excellent 104-hour endurance rating
  • Includes 5W wireless charging

  • Slightly slower wired charging (68W)
  • Snapdragon 695 chipset is not a performance leader
  • Motorola’s software update policy can be inconsistent

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1004 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the Realme X9 (brightness data unavailable). While both displays feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term), the higher peak brightness of the Edge 30 Neo translates to a more vibrant and readable image in bright conditions. The absence of information regarding panel technology (OLED, LCD) or refresh rate for the Realme X9 makes a detailed comparison difficult, but the Edge 30 Neo’s brightness is a clear win.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications in the provided data. The absence of sensor size, aperture, or OIS information makes a meaningful comparison impossible. It’s likely both devices rely on similar sensor tiers given their price points. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature. Without further details, we can only assume comparable camera performance.

Performance

Both devices are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (SM6375, 6nm), indicating similar performance capabilities. The Snapdragon 695 features an octa-core CPU configuration (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) in both phones. While the chipset is identical, RAM configurations and storage speeds (UFS 2.2 vs UFS 3.1) could influence real-world responsiveness. Without specific RAM details for the Realme X9, it’s difficult to definitively declare a performance winner, but the 6nm process node ensures reasonable thermal efficiency in both devices, preventing significant throttling during sustained tasks.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s standout feature is its impressive 104-hour endurance rating. This suggests optimized power management and efficient component selection. While the Realme X9 offers 65W wired charging, the Edge 30 Neo counters with 68W wired charging *and* 5W wireless charging. The slightly faster charging speed of the Realme X9 is offset by the Edge 30 Neo’s superior battery life. A full charge on the Realme X9 will be quicker, but the Edge 30 Neo will require charging less frequently.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme X9 if you absolutely need the fastest possible wired charging and frequently find yourself needing to top up quickly. Buy the Motorola Edge 30 Neo if you value a brighter, more visible display in sunlight and prefer a phone that can comfortably last a full day – and potentially beyond – on a single charge. The Edge 30 Neo is also a better fit for users who appreciate the convenience of 5W wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Motorola Edge 30 Neo struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 695 is a capable mid-range chipset, but it's not designed for maximum settings in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. You'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth and playable experience. Expect medium settings at 30fps as a reasonable target.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Motorola Edge 30 Neo with the 68W charger?
While Motorola claims fast charging, real-world 0-100% charging times with the 68W charger are typically around 45-60 minutes, depending on usage during charging. The 5W wireless charging will take considerably longer, likely several hours.
❓ Is the 5W wireless charging on the Motorola Edge 30 Neo useful for overnight charging?
Yes, the 5W wireless charging is suitable for overnight charging, especially if you have a wireless charging pad on your nightstand. It's a convenient way to top up the battery while you sleep, though it will be slower than wired charging.