Both the vivo iQOO 8 and Motorola Edge S30 represent compelling value in the now-mature Snapdragon 888 ecosystem. While both leverage Qualcomm’s 2021 flagship chipset, they diverge significantly in charging technology and subtle CPU variations, creating a clear choice for users prioritizing speed versus sustained performance and battery life.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users demanding the absolute fastest charging and willing to trade some potential sustained performance, the vivo iQOO 8 is the winner. Its 120W charging is a game-changer. However, the Motorola Edge S30 offers a slightly more refined chipset and a more balanced experience for those less concerned with topping up in minutes.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 17 | 2021, December 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 24 | Available. Released 2021, December 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159 x 75.1 x 8.6 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 168.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.62 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10 | LCD, 144Hz, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 | Android 11, MYUI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Ready For support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 4350 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Orange, Black | Glacier Blue, Phantom Black |
| Models | V2136A | XT2175-2 |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 280 EUR |
vivo iQOO 8
- Incredibly fast 120W charging
- Snapdragon 888 offers flagship performance
- Likely competitive pricing
- Snapdragon 888 can throttle under sustained load
- Faster charging may impact long-term battery health
Motorola Edge S30
- Snapdragon 888+ offers improved thermal management
- Potentially longer battery lifespan due to slower charging
- More efficient chipset
- Significantly slower 33W charging
- May be slightly more expensive than the iQOO 8
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display in today’s market, but both are perfectly adequate. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits or color gamut coverage) are missing, both utilize AMOLED technology, ensuring vibrant colors and deep blacks. The focus here isn’t on display quality, but rather on the overall package. Bezels are likely comparable given the similar price points, and both will offer a smooth experience with high refresh rates (assumed, based on market segment).
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary sensor around the 48-64MP mark, given their price bracket and chipset. The Motorola Edge S30, being a slightly newer device, *may* benefit from improved image processing algorithms. The presence or absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) would be a significant differentiator, but this information is unavailable. We can assume both will include ultrawide and macro lenses, but the quality of these secondary sensors is often negligible. The focus should be on the primary sensor’s performance and software optimization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the iQOO 8 features the Snapdragon 888, while the Edge S30 utilizes the Snapdragon 888+. The ‘+’ variant boasts a slightly higher clock speed on the prime Cortex-X1 core (2.99 GHz vs 2.84 GHz), offering a marginal performance boost in single-threaded tasks. However, the real advantage of the 888+ is its improved thermal management, stemming from a refined 5nm process. This means the Edge S30 is less likely to throttle under sustained load, making it a better choice for extended gaming sessions. Both phones share the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X1, 3x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55) and likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the Edge S30’s chipset offers a slight edge in sustained performance.
Battery Life
This is where the iQOO 8 truly shines. Its 120W wired charging is significantly faster than the Edge S30’s 33W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the iQOO 8 can likely achieve a full charge in under 20 minutes, while the Edge S30 will take considerably longer. This difference is substantial for users who prioritize quick top-ups. However, faster charging often comes at the cost of battery health over the long term, and the Edge S30’s slower charging may contribute to a longer battery lifespan. The 888+ in the Edge S30 is also slightly more power efficient, potentially offsetting the charging disparity to some degree.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO 8 if you need blazing-fast charging and frequently find yourself needing to quickly replenish your battery, even during short breaks. It’s ideal for power users and gamers who can’t afford downtime. Buy the Motorola Edge S30 if you prefer a slightly more efficient processor, a potentially more stable long-term performance profile, and a more balanced approach to battery and charging, prioritizing sustained performance over sheer charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the iQOO 8's 120W charging degrade the battery quickly?
While 120W charging is incredibly fast, it does generate more heat. vivo likely incorporates battery protection mechanisms to mitigate degradation, but some loss of capacity over time is inevitable. The Edge S30's slower 33W charging will generally result in a longer battery lifespan, but the convenience of the iQOO 8's speed is a trade-off.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 888+ in the Edge S30 make a noticeable difference in gaming compared to the standard 888?
The Snapdragon 888+ offers improved thermal management, which translates to less throttling during extended gaming sessions. You'll likely experience more consistent frame rates and less overheating on the Edge S30, particularly in demanding titles. The raw performance difference in short bursts is minimal, but the sustained performance advantage is significant.
❓ Which phone is better for recording long videos?
The Motorola Edge S30 is likely the better choice for recording long videos due to the Snapdragon 888+'s superior thermal performance. The iQOO 8's Snapdragon 888 may overheat and throttle, leading to reduced video quality or even recording termination after a prolonged period.
