Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 and the vivo X100 Pro. I’m going to break down these two contenders, not just by their specs, but by how those specs translate into real-world experiences. It’s about more than just numbers; it's about how these phones fit into your life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 | vivo X100 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 74.2 x 6.8 mm | 164.1 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm | The vivo is noticeably larger and thicker, impacting pocketability and one-handed use; The Motorola is significantly thinner and more compact. |
| Weight | 155g | 221g | The Motorola feels feather-light compared to the vivo. If you value a phone that is easy to hold for extended periods, Motorola wins, the vivo is heavier, making it more challenging to use one-handed for longer periods. |
| Build Materials | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (screen) | Unknown Screen Protection | The Motorola Edge 30 provides a known screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 which gives it a more durable feel |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | The vivo offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1260 x 2800 | The vivo screen is sharper and clearer with significantly more pixels, leading to more detailed images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 405 ppi | 452 ppi | The vivo screen is slightly crisper; pixel density of the vivo is moderately higher, resulting in sharper text and image quality. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks, ideal for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Motorola should feel a bit smoother, with even snappier animations and less motion blur than the vivo |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 3000 nits | The vivo is significantly better for use in bright sunlight and outdoor viewing; the Motorola’s outdoor visibility will likely be compromised. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Dimensity 9300 (4 nm) | The vivo's chip is much more powerful, handling demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking with greater ease. The Motorola will be adequate for everyday use but will struggle with heavier tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 609,900 | 1,881,325 | The vivo is significantly faster in performance benchmarks; you will notice faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | The vivo will show a significant difference in graphical performance, particularly in graphics intensive tasks and gaming |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | 50MP, f/1.75, 1”, 1.6µm | The vivo has a larger sensor for better low-light performance and a wider aperture. The Motorola captures good detail in daylight. The vivo has better low-light capabilities, dynamic range and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/3.14", 0.7µm | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | The vivo front camera has a larger sensor and wider aperture, providing better low light selfies. |
| Additional Lenses | Wide Angle + Macro and Portrait Mode | Telephoto + macro and Wide Angle | The Motorola has a dedicated macro lens that may appeal to users wanting close-up shots. The vivo has a telephoto lens which provides optical zoom for better quality images at a distance and an ultrawide lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS | 8K@30fps with EIS, 4K@60fps with EIS | The vivo has significantly better video performance, particularly in video recording with higher resolution and frame rate capabilities. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, etc. | OIS, PDAF, Gimbal, LAF, etc. | The vivo has more advanced features, including laser autofocus and gimbal stabilization, providing a better overall shooting experience and more stable footage. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | 150 (Mobile), 149 (Photo), 145 (Video) | The vivo has a DxOMark score that indicates high-quality camera performance, with the vivo providing high quality photos and videos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4020 mAh | 5400 mAh | The vivo has a much larger battery, which will translate to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The vivo charges much faster, getting you back up and running quickly. The Motorola is slower, and might be a bottleneck for those who need rapid charging. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 50W | The vivo has extra features like wireless charging and reverse wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12, up to 13 | Android 14, up to 15 | The vivo runs on the newer OS version with the guarantee to at least Android 15. Motorola is at least two years behind, and potentially out of date. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7, HaLow | The vivo will have faster, more stable Wi-Fi speeds and increased coverage in comparison to the Motorola. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | The vivo has a newer version, resulting in better audio quality, faster transfer speeds and lower latency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The vivo provides superior location accuracy, particularly in urban environments, better location data in rural environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM, eSIM | The vivo supports eSIM, offering greater flexibility and ease when switching between carriers, Motorola is limited to physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | The vivo offers much more storage capacity, suitable for users with extensive media libraries. The Motorola can feel limiting for heavy users. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 12/16GB | The vivo allows smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding applications. The Motorola may experience slowdowns during heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, so you’re limited to what they ship with. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The vivo has a higher fidelity audio performance, and has enhanced separation and spatial audio when watching media and listening to music. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both provide a standard level of biometric security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Gravity | The vivo has an additional gravity sensor, which may help with more accurate motion tracking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | The Motorola uses a known screen protection, giving it a more durable feel. The vivo is not known. |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Edge 30: This phone is all about sleekness and lightness. It’s incredibly thin and easy to handle, making it a great choice for those who prioritize comfort and portability. The 144Hz display is smooth, offering a delightful everyday user experience. It’s a good all-rounder, especially if you’re not a heavy gamer or a power user.
- vivo X100 Pro: This is a beast of a phone, boasting top-tier performance in nearly every area. From its stunning display with incredible brightness to its class-leading camera and blazing-fast processor, the vivo is designed for those who want the absolute best. The battery life is impressive, as is the charging speed. However, this performance comes with added bulk.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 30:
- Ideal for: Casual users, those who prefer a lightweight phone, and anyone who values a smooth display experience.
- Use Cases: Daily communication, social media, casual browsing, and light gaming. It’s perfect for the non-power user who appreciates a sleek design and responsive screen.
- vivo X100 Pro:
- Ideal for: Power users, photography enthusiasts, mobile gamers, and anyone who wants top-of-the-line features.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, professional photography and videography, demanding applications, media consumption, and multitasking. It’s perfect for anyone who wants the most advanced features and performance on their smartphone, and the best camera in the smartphone market.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help guide your decision:
- Do you prioritize size and weight, or performance and camera quality?
- If you want a lightweight, comfortable phone, pick the Motorola Edge 30.
- If you want top-tier performance and the best camera, choose the vivo X100 Pro.
- Do you need a long-lasting battery and fast charging, or are they secondary?
- For best-in-class battery life and charging, pick the vivo.
- For moderate battery and slow charging, the Motorola Edge 30 should do.
- How important is camera performance to you?
- If you want the best possible picture quality, pick the vivo X100 Pro.
- If a standard camera is enough for your needs, the Motorola will suffice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- The Mobile Professional: If you’re constantly on the go and need a reliable, versatile device, the vivo X100 Pro is your best bet due to its superior performance, great battery, and top-tier camera. It will be a versatile tool.
- The Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for social media, messaging, and casual browsing, the Motorola Edge 30 is a cost-effective choice with a sleek design and smooth display.
- The Mobile Photographer: The vivo X100 Pro with its professional-grade camera setup is the only real choice if photography is your main focus.
My Choice
For me, the vivo X100 Pro is the clear winner. As someone who uses my phone for professional work, photography, and gaming, the performance, battery life, and, most importantly, the camera, make it the most well-rounded option. The bulk is a slight tradeoff that I’m willing to accept to get a best-in-class phone. Although the Motorola has a slicker design, and might be more comfortable, I would not benefit from its capabilities as much as I would from the vivo.
Ultimately, the "best" phone comes down to your individual needs and priorities, but the vivo offers a very compelling package that's hard to beat.
