Sony Xperia 10 III vs. Motorola Edge 30 Neo: A Practical Showdown
Here's a detailed comparison between these two mid-range smartphones, breaking down how their specs translate to real-world performance.
Specifications Breakdown
Design & Build Quality
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 154 × 68 × 8.3 mm | 152.9 × 71.2 × 7.8 mm | Edge 30 Neo feels more compact despite larger screen |
| Weight | 169g | 155g | Motorola is noticeably lighter (14g difference) |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Sony offers better drop protection |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Sony's placement is more intuitive |
Display
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6" OLED | 6.28" P-OLED | Motorola offers more screen real estate |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 (457 PPI) | 1080x2400 (419 PPI) | Sony has slightly sharper text |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Motorola feels dramatically smoother |
| Brightness | N/A | N/A | Comparable outdoor visibility |
Performance
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 690 | Snapdragon 695 | Motorola's newer chip offers better efficiency |
| Antutu Score | 275,000 | 425,200 | Motorola is 55% faster (better for gaming) |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB | Motorola handles more apps simultaneously |
| Storage | 128GB | 128/256GB | Motorola offers higher capacity option |
Camera System
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.8 | 64MP f/1.8 | Motorola captures more detail in good light |
| Ultra-Wide | 8MP f/2.2 | 13MP f/2.2 (macro) | Sony has dedicated ultra-wide, Motorola combines with macro |
| Telephoto | 8MP f/2.4 | None | Sony offers better zoom capabilities |
| Selfie | 8MP f/2.0 | 32MP f/2.4 | Motorola's higher res but smaller pixels |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1080p@120fps | Sony for quality, Motorola for flexibility |
Battery & Charging
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4020mAh | Sony lasts slightly longer on single charge |
| Charging | 18W wired | 68W wired, 5W wireless | Motorola charges 3.7x faster + wireless |
Key Insights
Sony Xperia 10 III Strengths:
- Superior camera versatility with dedicated telephoto and ultra-wide lenses
- Higher resolution display (great for text clarity)
- Larger battery capacity
- Better build protection (Gorilla Glass 6)
- 4K video recording capability
Motorola Edge 30 Neo Advantages:
- Smoother 120Hz display (night-and-day difference in fluidity)
- Faster performance (55% higher benchmark scores)
- Much quicker charging (68W vs 18W)
- More premium-feeling lightweight design
- Higher resolution selfie camera
Trade-Offs to Consider:
- Sony's 60Hz display feels dated compared to Motorola's 120Hz
- Motorola's 64MP main camera sounds impressive but uses pixel binning
- Sony misses out on wireless charging
- Motorola's battery is smaller but charges much faster
User Profiles & Recommendations
Choose Sony Xperia 10 III if you:
- Prioritize camera versatility (telephoto + ultra-wide)
- Want maximum battery endurance
- Prefer sharper text display (higher PPI)
- Need 4K video recording
- Like the idea of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Choose Motorola Edge 30 Neo if you:
- Value smooth scrolling (120Hz display)
- Want much faster charging (wired + wireless)
- Play mobile games (better processor)
- Take lots of selfies (32MP front camera)
- Prefer a lighter, more modern design
Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself these 3 questions:
What's your priority - display smoothness or camera flexibility?
- 120Hz (Motorola) vs telephoto lens (Sony)
How important is charging speed to you?
- 68W fast charging makes a huge difference (Motorola)
Do you need wireless charging?
- Only Motorola offers this convenience
Scenario Recommendations:
- Photography Enthusiast: Sony Xperia 10 III
- Power User/Gamer: Motorola Edge 30 Neo
- Business Professional: Motorola Edge 30 Neo (faster charging)
- Media Consumer: Motorola Edge 30 Neo (better display)
- Traveler: Sony Xperia 10 III (better battery)
My Personal Choice: Motorola Edge 30 Neo
While I appreciate Sony's camera system and build quality, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo offers too many quality-of-life improvements to ignore. The 120Hz display makes every interaction smoother, the Snapdragon 695 provides noticeably better performance, and the 68W charging is revolutionary at this price point. The ability to go from empty to full in about 30 minutes (versus nearly 2 hours on the Sony) is a game-changer for my workflow.
That said, if I were a serious mobile photographer, I might lean toward the Sony for its superior camera versatility. But for most users, the Motorola's combination of modern features, faster performance, and superior charging makes it the better daily driver in 2024.
