ZTE Axon 30S vs Motorola Edge 30 Neo: A Head-to-Head Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the ZTE Axon 30S and Motorola Edge 30 Neo are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The ZTE Axon 30S takes the performance crown thanks to its Snapdragon 870 chipset. However, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo boasts faster charging, a brighter display, and a potentially more refined software experience. It depends on your priorities: power or polish.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 30S Motorola Edge 30 Neo
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, September 262022, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 26Available. Released 2022, October 07
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions170.2 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.70 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)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
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)155 g (5.47 oz)
 -Splash and dust resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass-
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)
Size6.92 inches, 107.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120HzP-OLED, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
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
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video1080p@30/60/120fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), under display32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, 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
Charging55W wired, PD, QC468W wired 5W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4200 mAhLi-Po 4020 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueVery Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, Aqua Foam
ModelsA2322XT2245-1
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 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)

ZTE Axon 30S

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 870)
  • Fast Charging (55W)
  • Potentially better value for performance

  • Display brightness not as high as Edge 30 Neo
  • Software support potentially less robust than Motorola
  • Battery capacity not explicitly stated

Motorola Edge 30 Neo

  • Brighter Display (1004 nits)
  • Faster Charging (68W wired, 5W wireless)
  • Excellent Battery Life (104h endurance rating)
  • Clean and smooth software experience

  • Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 695)
  • Performance may struggle with demanding games
  • Camera performance details are limited

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo shines with its impressive 1004 nits peak brightness, making it easily viewable outdoors. While the Axon 30S has a good display, it lacks the same level of brightness. The Edge 30 Neo's 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term) suggests excellent image quality, though specifics are lacking. Both offer OLED panels, ensuring vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. The Edge 30 Neo's marketing highlights its photo and video capabilities, suggesting a focus on image quality and features. The Axon 30S likely offers a versatile camera setup, but its performance will depend on ZTE's image processing algorithms. Expect both to perform well in good lighting conditions.

Performance

Here, the ZTE Axon 30S decisively wins. The Snapdragon 870 is a significantly more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 695 found in the Edge 30 Neo. Expect smoother gaming, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the Axon 30S. The Edge 30 Neo is still capable for everyday tasks, but it won't handle demanding games as well.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo boasts an impressive endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Axon 30S's battery capacity isn't explicitly stated, the Snapdragon 870 is relatively efficient. The Edge 30 Neo's 68W wired charging is significantly faster than the Axon 30S's 55W, and the addition of 5W wireless charging provides added convenience.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Axon 30S is ideal for gamers and power users who prioritize raw performance and smooth multitasking. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is a great choice for those seeking a stylish, well-rounded phone with fast charging and a vibrant display, prioritizing a smoother user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The ZTE Axon 30S is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge 30 Neo have wireless charging?
Yes, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo supports 5W wireless charging.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Motorola is generally known for providing timely software updates and a cleaner Android experience, so the Edge 30 Neo likely has an edge in this area.