vivo NEX 3S 5G vs Motorola Edge+ (2023): A Generational Leap in Performance?

The vivo NEX 3S 5G, released in 2020, represented a peak in waterfall display technology and 5G adoption. Now, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) arrives with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This comparison isn’t about direct competition in current markets, but rather understanding the tangible performance gains offered by a newer chipset and advancements in charging technology, and whether the older NEX 3S still holds up for budget-conscious buyers.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user in 2024, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers significantly improved CPU and GPU performance, coupled with superior thermal efficiency and much faster charging speeds. While the NEX 3S 5G remains a capable device, the Edge+ provides a more future-proof and enjoyable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo NEX 3S 5G Motorola Edge+ (2023)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 20, 25, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, March 10. Released 2020, March 142023, May 02
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, May 19
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions167.4 x 76.1 x 9.4 mm (6.59 x 3.00 x 0.37 in)161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight219.5 g (7.76 oz)203 g (7.16 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2256 pixels (~363 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.89 inches, 119.3 cm2 (~93.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10+OLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 740
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), PDAF50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ready For 3.5 support
Battery
Charging44W wired68W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wired 5W reverse wireless
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, OrangeInterstellar Black
ModelsV1950A-
PriceAbout 630 EUR$ 298.99

vivo NEX 3S 5G

  • Unique waterfall display design
  • Potentially lower price point (due to age)
  • 5G connectivity

  • Older Snapdragon 865 chipset
  • Slower 44W charging
  • Less efficient processor leading to potential throttling

Motorola Edge+ (2023)

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • 68W wired, 15W wireless, and reverse charging
  • Improved thermal efficiency and performance

  • Higher price point
  • May lack the visual flair of the waterfall display
  • Larger size and weight compared to older devices

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature high-quality AMOLED panels, the NEX 3S 5G’s defining feature is its waterfall display. However, the context data doesn’t provide specifics on resolution, brightness, or refresh rate for either device. The Motorola Edge+ (2023) likely benefits from advancements in panel technology, potentially offering higher peak brightness and improved color accuracy. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s display engine also supports more advanced display features. The NEX 3S 5G’s waterfall design, while visually striking, may introduce accidental touch inputs.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) likely benefits from newer image signal processors (ISPs) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, enabling improved image processing and low-light performance. The NEX 3S 5G’s camera system, while respectable for its time, will likely lack the computational photography capabilities of the Edge+. The Edge+ likely features more advanced features like improved HDR and video stabilization. We can assume the Edge+ has a more modern sensor and lens setup.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Edge+ (2023) boasts the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), a substantial upgrade over the NEX 3S 5G’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+). The 8 Gen 2’s new Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.2 GHz, delivers a significant CPU performance boost. The newer architecture also provides a substantial GPU improvement. The 4nm process node of the 8 Gen 2 is far more efficient, resulting in lower temperatures and reduced throttling during sustained workloads. The Edge+ also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance. The NEX 3S 5G, while capable, will struggle to match the Edge+ in demanding games and multitasking scenarios.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge+ (2023) significantly outpaces the NEX 3S 5G in charging speed. With 68W wired charging, the Edge+ can likely charge from 0-100% in under 40 minutes. The NEX 3S 5G’s 44W charging is considerably slower. Furthermore, the Edge+ adds 15W wireless charging and both 5W reverse wired and wireless charging, offering greater convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s improved efficiency means the Edge+ will likely achieve comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar or smaller battery size.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo NEX 3S 5G if you prioritize a unique waterfall display design and can find it at a significantly discounted price, accepting compromises in performance and charging speed. Buy the Motorola Edge+ (2023) if you demand the latest performance, faster charging (including wireless), and a more modern feature set, even at a higher price point. The Edge+ is for users who want a smooth, responsive experience for demanding tasks and gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 865 in the NEX 3S 5G struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 865, while capable, will likely exhibit noticeable frame drops and throttling during extended gaming sessions in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Edge+ is designed for sustained performance and will provide a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge+ (2023) compared to the NEX 3S 5G's 44W charging in real-world use?
The 68W charging on the Edge+ can realistically add around 50% charge in approximately 20-25 minutes, while the NEX 3S 5G’s 44W charging will take closer to 40-50 minutes to achieve the same level. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge+ (2023) get excessively hot during prolonged use?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s 4nm process is significantly more efficient than the 7nm+ process used in the Snapdragon 865. This translates to lower temperatures and reduced throttling, even during demanding tasks like gaming or video recording. The Edge+ is designed to remain relatively cool under load.