Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the vivo X100. I've got my engineering hat on, and we'll go beyond the spec sheet to uncover what these differences mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table with a focus on real-world implications:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | vivo X100 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 73.5 x 8.4 mm | 164.1 x 75.2 x 8.5 mm | vivo X100 is slightly taller and wider; both are very similar in thickness, slight difference in handling. |
| Weight | 198.5g | 202g | Negligible difference in weight, both feel similar in the hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | vivo X100 has a slightly larger display, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1260 x 2800 | vivo X100's higher resolution means sharper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 452 | vivo X100's display will look more detailed and crisp. |
| Technology | P-OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra provides slightly smoother scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 3000 nits | vivo X100 is much easier to see outdoors in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Mediatek Dimensity 9300 | Different processing architectures; vivo X100 boasts much higher performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 1,881,325 | vivo X100 offers noticeably snappier performance in all tasks, including gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | vivo X100 has a more modern and more performant graphics processor. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | |||
| Resolution | 200MP | 50MP | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra captures higher-resolution images, better for cropping |
| Aperture | f/1.95 | f/1.57 | vivo X100 excels in low-light photography with a wider aperture. |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.22" | 1/1.31" | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra boasts a larger sensor, but the vivo X100's aperture gives better light intake in low-light |
| Pixel Size | 0.64µm | 1.2µm | vivo X100 has larger pixel sizes, generally better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | |||
| Resolution | 60MP | 32MP | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra has higher resolution for detailed selfies |
| Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | vivo X100 has a slightly better aperture for low light. |
| Pixel Size | 0.64µm | 0.80µm | vivo X100 has larger pixel size for better light intake |
| Telephoto Lens | |||
| Resolution | 12MP | 64MP | vivo X100's telephoto lens captures much more detail. |
| Aperture | f/1.6 | f/2.6 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra has slightly better light capture with its wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | |||
| Resolution | 50MP | 50MP | Similar resolution and use case |
| Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | vivo X100 has a slightly better aperture for low light. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps | Yes | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra excels in professional video recording. |
| Features | 8K Video, OIS, HDR | OIS, Gimbal, Ultra Stable | vivo X100 adds stabilization and additional tools for creative shooting. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4610 mAh | 5000 mAh | vivo X100 has a slightly bigger battery, likely offering a bit more battery life. |
| Charging | 125W fast charging | 120W fast charging | Both provide very fast charging; a negligable difference |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | No | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra supports very convenient wireless charging. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | vivo X100 comes with a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | vivo X100 supports the latest standard, potentially faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | vivo X100 has a newer Bluetooth standard and more codecs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | vivo X100 offers more storage options for media and apps. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | vivo X100 can handle more demanding multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | vivo X100 edges out with slightly better audio fidelity and immersive listening. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra has more durable screen protection. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Strengths:
- High-Resolution Camera: The 200MP main sensor excels in capturing detail-rich images.
- Fast Charging & Wireless Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging offer great convenience.
- Smooth Display: 144Hz refresh rate offers fluid user experience for UI navigation and gaming.
- Video Recording: 8K video recording.
- Competitive Advantages:
- Excellent charging features: very fast wired charging, fast wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
- Higher refresh rate display.
- Trade-offs/Limitations:
- Older chipset.
- Lower low-light camera capabilities compared to the vivo X100.
- Limited storage options.
- Older Operating system
vivo X100:
- Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Dimensity 9300 provides a significant performance edge.
- Brighter and Sharper Display: Higher resolution and brightness results in more crisp and clear visuals.
- Low-Light Camera Performance: Wide aperture and large pixel sizes excel in low-light conditions.
- Latest Software: Comes with the latest Android 14 version.
- More Storage and RAM: Larger storage options and RAM, handling resource intensive tasks better.
- Competitive Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful chipset and GPU for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Higher resolution, and significantly brighter display
- Better camera for low-light photography.
- Latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- Trade-offs/Limitations:
- No Wireless charging capability.
- 120 Hz refresh rate instead of 144hz.
- Lacks 8K video recording
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Those who prioritize very fast charging (wired and wireless), a higher refresh rate, and a high-resolution main camera for cropping.
- Use Cases: Excellent for users that need to charge their phone quickly on the go, and want to capture a lot of detail in daylight.
- vivo X100:
- Ideal User: Power users who want the fastest performance and the most future proof phone, great display quality, better low-light photography and creative video capabilities with a robust stabilization system.
- Use Cases: Gamers and photographers, users that often use their phones in bright sunlight and those that need a lot of onboard storage.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide between these two phones:
- Do you frequently find yourself in situations where you need to capture photos in low light? If yes, the vivo X100 is significantly better due to its larger aperture and pixel sizes.
- Do you need the absolute top performance for heavy usage and gaming? If so, the vivo X100's powerful chipset makes it the clear choice.
- Do you prioritize fast wireless charging, and higher display refresh rate? If yes, then the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Photographer: The vivo X100 is better because it captures more detail and is much better in low-light, but if you value high detail and prefer a high resolution and dont frequently shoot in low light the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra may suit you better.
- The Gamer: The vivo X100 takes the lead here with its superior processing power, modern GPU, and greater RAM making it the clear winner.
- The Power User: The vivo X100 is more suitable with it's much more modern chipset and it's RAM offerings.
- The Casual User: For those who prefer a higher refresh rate and wireless charging, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is a good choice, but the vivo X100 excels in practically every other category.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go with the vivo X100. As someone who appreciates top-tier performance, a great screen, and cutting-edge tech, the superior chipset, brighter display, and enhanced camera capabilities of the vivo are hard to overlook. Plus, the support for the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards makes it a more future-proof option. While the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers a compelling package, the vivo X100 simply ticks more of the boxes that are most crucial to me, and I personally don't value wireless charging that much.
