Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Honor 70 and the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. As a tech journalist with an engineering background, I'm less interested in marketing hype and more in the real-world performance and implications of these devices. Let’s break it down.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison table that looks at the specs and what they mean for you:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2022-09-08 | Edge 30 Ultra is newer, might have better software support |
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | Honor 70 is slightly slimmer; Both are similarly sized overall |
| Weight | 178g | 198.5g | Honor 70 is noticeably lighter and easier to handle for longer periods |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Both have the same screen real estate; Excellent for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Sharp and clear images on both |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Similar screen density for detail |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Ultra has a slightly smoother display experience |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1250 nits | Edge 30 Ultra is far better for viewing in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ (6nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | Edge 30 Ultra is significantly more powerful, handling demanding tasks and games with ease |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,231,300 | Edge 30 Ultra offers vastly superior performance, smoother multitasking |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 730 | Edge 30 Ultra handles graphics-intensive apps and games noticeably better |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9 | 200MP, f/1.95 | Edge 30 Ultra captures much higher detail, but the Honor 70 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4 | 60MP, f/2.2 | Edge 30 Ultra captures higher-resolution selfies |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/1.6 | Edge 30 Ultra has more versatile zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2 | Comparable wide-angle shots |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Honor 70 offers a dedicated macro lens |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | Edge 30 Ultra records significantly higher resolution video |
| Stabilization | EIS | HDR, EIS, OIS | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers more advanced video stabilization |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 115 | N/A | Honor 70 has a decent camera score from DXOMark |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4610mAh | Similar battery capacities; Both will last through a typical day |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | Edge 30 Ultra charges much faster; less time waiting around for a full charge |
| Wireless Charging | No | 50W | Edge 30 Ultra offers much faster wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Edge 30 Ultra has a slight edge with potential software upgrade support |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have very good Wi-Fi capabilities |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both have very good Bluetooth capabilities with A2DP, LE |
| GPS | Standard | Advanced | Edge 30 Ultra has very good GPS capabilities |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | Honor 70 has a bigger 512GB storage option |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both are good for multitasking and games |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage; Pick your storage carefully |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, 2 Microphones | Edge 30 Ultra has slightly better audio enhancements, enhanced spatial audio, better audio separation, and improved voice capture |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both provide standard biometric unlock |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Edge 30 Ultra is more resistant to scratches and damages |
| Sensors | Standard | Standard + Gravity | Edge 30 Ultra offers more features for gaming and advanced functionality |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Lighter Design: The Honor 70 is significantly lighter at 178g, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Macro Lens: Its inclusion of a dedicated 2MP macro lens caters to users who enjoy close-up photography.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers high-resolution audio playback, which will appeal to audiophiles.
- More Storage Option: You get an option to go up to 512GB which the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra doesn't offer.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers a significantly higher level of performance compared to the Honor 70, making it much better for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Brighter Display: With a peak brightness of 1250 nits, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra's display is vastly superior for outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Better Cameras: A 200MP main camera, a 60MP selfie camera, and an added telephoto lens give the Edge 30 Ultra more versatility and quality.
- Faster Charging: 125W fast charging and 50W wireless charging dramatically reduce charging time, a significant advantage for busy users.
- Advanced Video Recording: Supports higher resolution 8K recording, which is useful for professional grade video content creation.
- Software Support: The fact that it goes to Android 13 makes it future-proof for a little longer.
- Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen is better at scratch and damage protection.
- Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos enhances the sound, improving the experience by making the audio more immersive and spatial.
Trade-offs:
- The Honor 70 trades performance and display brightness for a lighter build and a lower price point.
- The Edge 30 Ultra is heavier and pricier, but you get vastly superior performance, a better camera system, and a brighter screen.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability while still getting a capable smartphone.
- Casual Photographers: Users who enjoy taking photos on their phone but don't need top-tier, high-resolution quality.
- Comfort-Driven Users: People who prefer a lighter and slimmer phone for easier handling.
- Audio Lovers: For users that desire high quality audio experience, Honor 70 is an ideal choice.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Power Users: Gamers, content creators, and anyone who needs a phone that can handle demanding tasks.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want high-resolution photos, versatile zoom options, and excellent video quality.
- On-the-Go Professionals: People who need quick charging, excellent outdoor screen visibility, and top-tier performance.
- Media Consumers: Those who want an immersive audio experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What's your priority: power or portability? If you need the best performance and don't mind a heavier phone, go with the Edge 30 Ultra. If you value a lightweight device and are more budget-conscious, the Honor 70 is the better option.
- How important is camera quality? If you need high-resolution photos and videos, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the clear choice with a significantly better main sensor and telephoto lens.
- How often do you use your phone outside? If you spend a lot of time in bright sunlight, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra's screen will be much more usable due to its higher brightness.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a serious mobile gamer and photo enthusiast. Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra for its top-tier performance, versatile camera setup, and higher refresh rate screen.
- Scenario 2: You mainly use your phone for everyday tasks, prefer lighter devices, and enjoy taking close-up photos. Recommendation: Honor 70 for its lightweight design, macro lens, and Hi-Res Audio feature.
- Scenario 3: You need a phone for outdoor work, often in bright sunlight, and you also heavily use your device for long periods. Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra for its brighter display and superior performance while still having a good enough battery life.
- Scenario 4: You are looking for a mid-range device that gets the job done while having amazing audio experience. Recommendation: Honor 70 is a decent choice, with Hi-Res Audio.
My Choice
If I were personally choosing between these two, I would go with the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. While I appreciate the lighter weight of the Honor 70, the Edge 30 Ultra's vastly superior performance, significantly better camera setup, much brighter display, and ridiculously fast charging make it a powerhouse that fits my needs as someone who heavily uses my phone for everything from work to media consumption. The Edge 30 Ultra is a higher price but the performance it provides is worth every penny.
