Xiaomi Redmi K70 vs Motorola Edge S30: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Xiaomi Redmi K70 and Motorola Edge S30 represent compelling options in the mid-range to upper-mid-range smartphone market. The K70 arrives with the significantly newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, while the Edge S30 leverages the still-capable Snapdragon 888+. This comparison dissects the architectural differences and real-world implications of these chipsets, alongside their charging capabilities and overall value proposition.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi K70 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a substantial performance uplift and improved efficiency over the Edge S30’s Snapdragon 888+, justifying the price difference. The K70’s 120W charging is a game-changer, significantly reducing downtime.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K70 Motorola Edge S30
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, November 292021, December 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, November 29Available. Released 2021, December 21
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions160.9 x 75 x 8.2 mm (6.33 x 2.95 x 0.32 in)168.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.62 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209 g (7.37 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
 -Water-repellent design
Display
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 4000 nits (peak)LCD, 144Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 660
OSAndroid 14, HyperOSAndroid 11, MYUI 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm Auxiliary lens
Video8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, 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, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -Ready For support
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 100% in 18 min33W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Blue/Green, PurpleGlacier Blue, Phantom Black
Models23113RKC6CXT2175-2
PriceAbout 320 EURAbout 280 EUR

Xiaomi Redmi K70

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
  • Ultra-fast 120W charging
  • Improved power efficiency and thermal management

  • Likely higher price point
  • May lack expandable storage (depending on variant)

Motorola Edge S30

  • More affordable price
  • Still capable Snapdragon 888+ processor
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks

  • Slower 33W charging
  • Less efficient processor, prone to throttling

Display Comparison

While display specs aren't provided, both phones likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels, common in this price bracket. However, the K70’s chipset allows for more sophisticated display features like variable refresh rate (LTPO) for improved power efficiency. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s integrated display engine can also drive higher peak brightness and more accurate color calibration. The Edge S30, relying on the older 888+, may exhibit slightly less refined display performance.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is substantially more advanced than the 888+'s. This means the K70 can capture more detail, handle dynamic range more effectively, and offer superior low-light performance. The K70’s ISP also supports more advanced features like 8K video recording and improved computational photography algorithms. The Edge S30 will likely deliver respectable image quality, but will fall behind in challenging conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi K70’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) boasts a newer CPU architecture – Cortex-X3, A715, and A710 cores – compared to the Motorola Edge S30’s Snapdragon 888+ (5nm) with its Cortex-X1, A78, and A55 cores. The 4nm process node of the Gen 2 translates to significantly better power efficiency and thermal performance, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The K70’s CPU clock speeds (up to 3.2 GHz) also exceed those of the Edge S30 (2.99 GHz). This architectural and process node advantage gives the K70 a clear edge in both single-core and multi-core performance.

Battery Life

The Redmi K70’s 120W wired charging is a massive advantage. A full charge from 0-100% takes a mere 18 minutes, minimizing downtime. The Edge S30’s 33W charging is comparatively slow, requiring significantly longer to reach a full charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s superior efficiency means the K70 will likely offer comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity than the Edge S30.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K70 if you prioritize raw performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value incredibly fast charging. You'll benefit from a more future-proof device with better thermal management. Buy the Motorola Edge S30 if you're on a tighter budget and still need a capable phone for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. It offers a solid experience at a lower price point, but compromises on long-term performance and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888+ in the Motorola Edge S30 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact after extended play sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888+ is known to throttle under sustained load, particularly in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. While it can handle these games initially, performance will likely decrease over time as the phone heats up. The Redmi K70’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with its superior thermal efficiency, will maintain higher frame rates for longer periods.
❓ How much faster is the 120W charging on the Redmi K70 compared to the 33W charging on the Edge S30 in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. The Redmi K70 can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 18 minutes. The Motorola Edge S30 will take well over an hour to achieve the same result. This means you can quickly top up the K70 during short breaks, while the Edge S30 requires a much longer charging period.
❓ Does the Redmi K70's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offer noticeable improvements in everyday tasks like browsing and social media compared to the Edge S30?
While both phones will feel responsive for everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a smoother and more fluid experience. App launch times will be faster, multitasking will be more seamless, and animations will be more responsive. The difference is subtle but noticeable, especially for users who frequently switch between apps.