Motorola Edge X30 review
The Motorola Edge X30 promises a significant leap in performance, courtesy of its quad-core Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. This powerhouse is paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, making it a formidable gaming machine. The device boasts a stunning 6.7-inch LED display with 1 billion colors, while the camera setup features a high-resolution main sensor and ultrawide lens. However, some notable omissions include lack of wireless charging, water resistance, and a telephoto lens. Will these compromises be enough to deter enthusiasts from experiencing the Edge X30's impressive performance?
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Edge X30 is a stunning device that boasts an exceptional build quality. The moment you lay your hands on it, you can't help but be impressed by its premium feel. The frosted glass finish at the back exudes a sense of sophistication, and the subtle camera bump adds to its visual appeal. The Shadow Blue color scheme is particularly striking, showcasing the phone's sleek design in all its glory. While some might find the physical fingerprint reader slightly hard to reach, it's snappy performance makes up for this minor inconvenience. One aspect that truly sets the Edge X30 apart from its competitors is its display. The 6.7-inch LED panel boasts an impressive 1 billion colors, making it a visual treat for anyone who spends hours gazing at their phone screen. Although it may not be as bright as some other flagships, the display's quality makes up for this minor shortcoming. In terms of design, the Edge X30 is a masterclass in subtlety. The clean lines and minimal branding give it an understated yet elegant look that will appeal to those who value simplicity. While some might find the lack of IP water resistance rating or wireless charging a disappointment, these are relatively minor omissions considering the phone's exceptional performance. Overall, the Motorola Edge X30 is a testament to what can be achieved when design and build quality come together seamlessly. Whether you're a fan of Motorola or just looking for a reliable device with impressive specs, this phone is sure to impress.
Battery Life
In an era where smartphone battery life is paramount, the Motorola Edge X30's performance in this department leaves much to be desired. During my testing period, I observed that the device drained by a staggering 10% after just a few hours of use, resulting in a significant decrease in overall battery health. The drain rate was particularly concerning, with the device losing an alarming 31.25 milliampere per minute. This level of battery depletion is unacceptable for a flagship smartphone, especially considering its premium price tag. Despite the Edge X30's potent hardware, including a 4nm Snapdargon 8 Gen1 chipset and LPDDR5 RAM, its battery life was a letdown. In fact, it struggled to keep up with even moderate usage patterns, making it difficult for users to get through a full day without needing to recharge. While the Edge X30's performance may be impressive in other areas, its subpar battery life is a major concern that could render it less desirable to potential buyers. I would have expected more from a flagship device, and Motorola needs to address this issue in future models to remain competitive in the market.
Display
The Motorola Edge X30's display is one of its standout features. The device boasts a stunning 6.7-inch LED panel that produces a vibrant and immersive visual experience with an impressive 1 billion colors on offer. However, the brightness levels don't quite match up to those found in other flagship devices on the market. Despite this, the screen still manages to hold its own, particularly when scrolling through content or gaming. One notable feature of the display is its ability to handle high-refresh-rate content with ease, thanks to a 144Hz refresh rate that makes for smooth and seamless visuals. The device's use of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage also helps to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. In terms of color accuracy and overall quality, the display is generally impressive. Colors are rich and nuanced, and the screen's sheer size means that watching movies or playing games on the Edge X30 feels like an immersive experience. Unfortunately, the display does have some minor drawbacks. The lack of a curved design may be a disappointment for those who value this feature in their smartphones. However, overall, the Motorola Edge X30's display is a strong point, and one that will likely appeal to fans of high-quality visuals on the go. Ultimately, while it may not be perfect, the Motorola Edge X30's display is an impressive feature that sets the device apart from some of its competitors. If you're in the market for a new smartphone with a great display, the Edge X30 is definitely worth considering.
Camera
The Motorola Edge X30's camera department is a significant letdown in an otherwise impressive device. While the main and ultrawide cameras have a high megapixel count, they fail to deliver in terms of quality and functionality. Firstly, the lack of 60 frames per second video recording is a notable omission. This feature has become a standard in many smartphones, and its absence in the Edge X30 makes it feel like an afterthought. The camera performance itself is decent in good lighting conditions, but it struggles to produce quality images at night. The ultrawide camera performs adequately, capturing a wide field of view and producing relatively sharp images. However, the main camera's inability to capture detailed textures and colors in low-light conditions is disappointing. The lack of a telephoto lens also limits the device's ability to capture high-quality zoomed-in shots. Furthermore, the 2-megapixel depth sensor is essentially useless, and the absence of a telephoto lens means that users are left with limited options for capturing high-quality portraits or zoomed-in shots. The camera software itself feels unpolished and lacks the refinement expected from a flagship device. In an era where smartphone cameras have become increasingly sophisticated, the Motorola Edge X30's camera department falls short of expectations. While it may not be a complete disaster, the lackluster performance in low-light conditions and the absence of key features like 60 FPS video recording make it hard to recommend this device as a top-choice for photography enthusiasts. Overall, the Edge X30's camera performance is a disappointment, especially considering the potential of the new Snapdragon chipset. Motorola has missed an opportunity to create a truly exceptional camera experience in this flagship device.
Price and Value
The Motorola Edge X30 is an impressive device that boasts a four-nanometer fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a feature that's sure to thrill tech enthusiasts. The phone's price point is what truly sets it apart from its competitors. At an affordable price, the Motorola Edge X30 offers top-notch performance and features, making it a great value for those who want to stay ahead of the curve without breaking the bank. While other flagships may offer similar specs at a higher price, the Motorola Edge X30 manages to deliver an exceptional experience without burning a hole in your pocket. The phone's sleek design, vibrant display, and impressive camera capabilities all contribute to its value proposition. One of the major selling points of the Motorola Edge X30 is its ability to offer 2022 performance at a very good price point. This makes it an attractive option for those who want to experience the latest tech without waiting for the floodgates of new flagships from other manufacturers. In conclusion, the Motorola Edge X30 offers exceptional value for its price. While it may lack some features that other high-end devices boast, such as 60fps video recording or IP water resistance, its affordability and impressive performance make it a compelling choice for those who want to stay ahead of the curve without breaking the bank. Overall, I would recommend the Motorola Edge X30 to anyone who's looking for a powerful device at an affordable price. While some may find certain features lacking, the phone's value proposition is hard to deny.
Performance
The Motorola Edge X30 boasts an impressive performance, thanks to its four-nanometer Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. This powerful processor not only increases overall system performance but also pairs well with the integrated Adreno 730 GPU. The result is seamless scrolling and smooth gaming experiences. One of the standout features of the Edge X30 is its use of AI-powered sampling, which enhances game performance and reduces lag. However, it's worth noting that Motorola's poor optimization of this new chipset holds back the device from reaching its full potential. The Edge X30 also features a 6.7-inch LED panel with 1 billion colors, making for a visually stunning display experience. The high refresh rate of 144Hz ensures smooth visuals and minimal motion blur. In terms of benchmarks, the Motorola Edge X30 delivers impressive results. It achieved an Antutu score of 990,214, just shy of the 1 million mark. Additionally, it outperformed other devices in Geekbench version 5, only trailing behind the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The device's performance was further demonstrated through its performance in 3DMark Wildlife, where it achieved a score of 9894 points. This is the highest I've seen on an Android device, and it even surpasses the latest iPhone 13 Pro Max, which scored 57.5 frames per second compared to the Edge X30's average fps of 59.2. Overall, the Motorola Edge X30 offers impressive performance capabilities, making it a great option for those looking for a powerful smartphone experience. However, it's essential to consider the compromises made in other areas, such as camera quality and features, before making a purchase decision.
Pros
1. The main selling points of the Moto Edge X30 is no doubt the four nanometer run Snapdragon 8Gen1 chipset that not only increases performance by a great amount but its integrated Adreno 730 GPU sees a huge improvement.
2. When paired with LPDDR5 RAM, UFS 3.1 storage and a 144Hz panel, scrolls around like an absolute genius and games like a champion thanks to AI-powered sampling.
3. The display while not being curved is gorgeous thanks to a 6.7-inch LED panel with 1 billion colors.
4. It comes with Android 12 out of the box and is pretty much stock Android with a few extra features that are actually useful.
5. The device's frosted glass finish at the back is absolutely gorgeous looking, showcasing its Shadow Blue color scheme in all its glory.
6. The physical fingerprint reader is snappy
7. It has a 60Hz panel scrolls around like an absolute genius and games like a champion
Cons
1. Unfortunately, it lacks the brightness of other flagships around.
2. The camera department is a bit of a deal breaker for me, with lackluster results in good lighting and terrible nighttime results.
3. It lacks 60 frames per second video recording.
4. The useless 2-megapixel depth sensor and complete disregard of what the new Snapdragon chipset is actually capable of are major drawbacks.
5. There's no telephoto lens on this device, which is a big miss in my opinion.
6. The fingerprint sensor is unfortunately not found underneath the display, making it hard to reach.
7. Facial recognition is pointless without a double tap feature and the oversight of the Snapdragon 8Gen1's fourth ISP to allow for face unlock without touching the device is a bit disheartening.