Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Moto G04s. Buckle up; we're going beyond the spec sheet and into real-world impact.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Motorola Moto G04s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | Edge 30 Ultra slightly shorter and thinner, G04s lighter. G04s might feel more comfortable in hand due to its lower weight. |
| Weight | 198.5g | 178.8g | G04s noticeably lighter, better for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.56" | Edge 30 Ultra has a slightly larger viewing area for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | Edge 30 Ultra provides significantly sharper, clearer visuals, noticeable difference in text and image clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 269 | Edge 30 Ultra looks far more crisp, fine details more visible. |
| Technology | P-OLED | IPS LCD | Edge 30 Ultra has richer colors, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles for a better media consumption experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | Edge 30 Ultra delivers much smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 0 nits | Edge 30 Ultra vastly superior for outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Edge 30 Ultra offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and high-end gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 220,000 | Edge 30 Ultra has far superior overall performance, a huge gap in raw processing power and speed. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Edge 30 Ultra's Adreno 730 provides significantly better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and visual-heavy apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 200MP, f/1.95, 1/1.22" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | Edge 30 Ultra excels with more detail, larger sensor, and better low-light capabilities due to larger sensor size. |
| Selfie Camera | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 5MP, f/2.2 | Edge 30 Ultra produces much sharper, higher-resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/1.6 | None | Edge 30 Ultra offers versatile optical zoom capabilities for distant subjects, G04s does not have this capability |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | None | Edge 30 Ultra offers wider perspectives, fitting more into each frame, G04s does not have this capability |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Edge 30 Ultra offers professional-grade video recording capabilities. |
| Features | 8K Video, OIS, RAW etc | LAF | Edge 30 Ultra has additional features like 8K video, RAW format, and enhanced stabilization and focus features, while G04s has laser AF. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4610mAh | 5000mAh | G04s has a slightly larger battery, may offer marginally better battery life in less demanding use cases, but needs testing in the field. |
| Charging | 125W wired, 50W wireless | 15W wired | Edge 30 Ultra charges rapidly, both wired and wirelessly; G04s significantly slower charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | G04s ships with a newer version of Android, promising more current features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Edge 30 Ultra supports newer Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Edge 30 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version for slightly better connectivity. |
| GPS | L1+L5, B1, E1+E5a | Basic GPS options | Edge 30 Ultra supports more accurate positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | Both offer 256GB as maximum storage, G04s offers a lower end configuration. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 4GB | Edge 30 Ultra allows for much smoother multitasking and running of more demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Dolby Atmos | Edge 30 Ultra delivers a more immersive and high quality audio experience thanks to stereo speakers and better mic support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | G04s offers a slightly more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Edge 30 Ultra has better screen protection, better scratch and damage resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Compass, Gravity, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Edge 30 Ultra has extra sensors, useful for augmented reality, gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra: The Powerhouse
- Strengths: The Edge 30 Ultra is a performance beast. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, coupled with a high refresh rate P-OLED display, positions it as a top-tier performer for power users. Its 200MP camera, coupled with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, is fantastic for photography and videography. It also has the bonus of ultra-fast 125W wired and 50W wireless charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Superior display quality, unmatched processing power, professional-grade camera system, and much faster charging.
- Trade-offs: It is more expensive than the Moto G04s, and slightly heavier.
- Limitations: The Edge 30 Ultra is not the newest phone on the market, but it still holds its own, and the fact that there is no expandable storage could be a problem for some users.
Motorola Moto G04s: The Budget Champion
- Strengths: The Moto G04s shines as a reliable budget phone with a newer OS, large battery, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The large battery is great for those who need good battery life and can live without all the bells and whistles.
- Competitive Advantages: It is far more affordable than the Edge 30 Ultra, lighter, and comes with a newer Android version.
- Trade-offs: The trade off is the lack of processing power, lower resolution display, and much slower charging speeds.
- Limitations: Performance is a major limitation, the 720p LCD display is not as sharp or color-rich, and the cameras are basic. The lack of storage expansion might be a limiting factor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Best For: Power users, gamers, photography and videography enthusiasts who want a no compromise smartphone.
- Use Cases: Demanding apps, high-end gaming, professional-grade photography, and intensive multitasking.
- Motorola Moto G04s:
- Best For: Budget-conscious users, people with basic smartphone needs, or those who need a reliable second phone.
- Use Cases: Everyday social media, web browsing, light apps, and long battery life.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Consider these questions:
- What is my primary use case for a phone?
- Gaming/photography? Choose the Edge 30 Ultra.
- Simple browsing and communication? Moto G04s is a good option.
- How important is display quality and speed to me?
- Very important? The Edge 30 Ultra is the clear choice.
- Just need something basic? The G04s is acceptable.
- What is my budget?
- Unlimited budget, wanting best experience? The Edge 30 Ultra wins.
- On a tight budget? The Moto G04s is very affordable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Mobile Photographer: The Edge 30 Ultra is the winner. Its 200MP main camera, plus telephoto and wide-angle lenses and 8k video recording make it a much more versatile and powerful photography tool.
- The On-The-Go Gamer: The Edge 30 Ultra provides a smoother, more responsive gaming experience. The powerful processor, the high refresh rate, and the graphics card make the difference.
- The Casual User: The Moto G04s provides all the core smartphone functions needed for daily tasks, and at a very affordable price.
- The Power User: If you multitask heavily and run demanding apps, the Edge 30 Ultra is the way to go.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose one, I would go with the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. While the Moto G04s is a great budget option, the Edge 30 Ultra's vastly superior performance, stunning display, professional-grade camera system, and blazing-fast charging make it an excellent pick for any demanding user. As a tech journalist and smartphone analyst, I need a device that can keep up with my workload while providing an amazing user experience, and for that the Edge 30 Ultra is a much better option. The investment is worth it for the features and capabilities it offers.
