Alright, let's break down the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the OnePlus Nord 4. As a tech journalist, I'm not just about specs—I'm about how these devices fit into your life. So, let's get started and see what these phones bring to the table.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison, focusing on real-world implications:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | OnePlus Nord 4 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm, 198.5g | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm, 199.5g | Both have similar size and weight, but the Nord 4 is slightly wider. Small differences in hand feel. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 5 Front | Unknown Glass Protection | The Edge 30 Ultra has known screen protection, the Nord 4's is not specified. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.74" | Both offer a large display, minimal size difference, a bit more screen on Nord 4. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1240 x 2772 | The Nord 4’s higher resolution means crisper text and images, noticeable to the keen eye. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 450 PPI | Nord 4 offers visibly sharper display detail due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | P-OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, virtually identical display experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Edge 30 Ultra is marginally smoother for scrolling and gaming. Most may not notice a difference. |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 2200 nits | The Nord 4 will be far easier to use outdoors under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | Both are capable processors, but Edge 30 Ultra has slightly older top-tier flagship performance vs Nord 4's upper mid-range chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 1,366,982 | The Nord 4 benchmarks slightly higher, suggesting marginally better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 732 | Both provide smooth gaming and graphics, the Nord 4 offers slightly better performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 200MP (f/1.95, 1/1.22") | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/2") | Edge 30 Ultra captures more detailed photos, especially in bright light, but Nord 4 has larger individual pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera | 60MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8") | 16MP (f/2.4, 1/3.13") | Edge 30 Ultra produces higher resolution selfies and has better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/1.6 | None | Edge 30 Ultra provides optical zoom capabilities, absent on Nord 4. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 50MP (f/2.2, 1/2.76") | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8") | Edge 30 Ultra provides much higher resolution for ultra-wide shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR | Up to 4K@60fps, EIS | Edge 30 Ultra is capable of higher quality video, but Nord 4 still provides stable video. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4610 mAh | 5500 mAh | Nord 4’s larger battery should result in longer battery life throughout the day. |
| Charging | 125W Wired, 50W Wireless | 100W Wired | Edge 30 Ultra recharges faster wired and includes wireless charging, Nord 4 charges quickly wired. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | The Nord 4 provides the latest Android OS and offers better software support and longer support in the future |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.4 | OnePlus Nord 4 comes with better audio codec support and newer bluetooth version |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5), SUPL | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus Nord 4 provides better GPS support with more bands |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | OnePlus Nord 4 has more storage options |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB or 16 GB | OnePlus Nord 4 has a higher RAM option |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Strengths:
- Camera: Exceptional 200MP main camera, a versatile camera system with a telephoto lens, and high resolution front camera, great for content creators or photo enthusiasts who want to push the limits.
- Charging: Faster wired charging with added wireless charging features make it great for users that needs their phone topped up quickly.
- Display: 144 Hz display, giving users a smoother visual experience when compared to OnePlus Nord 4.
- Trade-offs: Older software, and slightly less battery life.
- Strengths:
- OnePlus Nord 4:
- Strengths:
- Performance: Newer chipset that benchmarks higher than Edge 30 Ultra, resulting in excellent daily performance.
- Battery: Larger battery which translates into all day battery life, for power users.
- Display: Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Software: Runs on the newest android version, and should receive more updates for the future.
- Trade-offs: Less versatile camera system, no wireless charging, and lower refresh rate.
- Strengths:
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is ideal for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high resolution images, versatile lenses, and higher quality video recording.
- Power Users Users that need their phone topped up fast and like using wireless charging.
- Gamers: While both devices are powerful, the Edge 30 Ultra’s higher refresh rate is a marginal edge for smoother gameplay.
OnePlus Nord 4 is ideal for:
- Everyday Users: Users that want a reliable smartphone with excellent battery life and smooth performance for day to day tasks.
- Outdoor Users: Users that need a bright screen to read under bright sunlight.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want to try out new features as they roll out for the latest android version.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider:
- What’s more important: top-tier camera capabilities or all-day battery life?
- If photography is your priority, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra has a more versatile camera system and better video recording capabilities.
- If battery life and latest software is more important, the OnePlus Nord 4 will serve you better.
- Do you value wireless charging and fastest charging?
- If yes, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra has faster charging (both wired and wireless) capability, and faster charging in general.
- If not, then the OnePlus Nord 4 will not disappoint and still offer fast 100W wired charging capabilities.
- Do you prioritize a brighter display over faster refresh rates?
- The OnePlus Nord 4 has a significantly brighter display, ideal for outdoor use.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra has a slightly smoother 144Hz refresh rate, but the Nord 4 will be more usable outdoors.
My Choice:
If I had to pick, I'd lean towards the OnePlus Nord 4. Here's why:
While the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra's camera system and faster charging is impressive, I value all-day battery life, smooth performance with the latest software updates, and a bright display more for my daily use. The Nord 4’s newer processor also means better longevity in terms of performance and software updates. It fits better into what I need a smartphone for: reliable performance, great battery life, and a screen that is usable in all kinds of conditions. The camera is still excellent for everyday use, and while it doesn’t have the raw specs of the Motorola, it provides excellent image quality for casual users.
The OnePlus Nord 4 strikes the right balance of being a phone that’s not only great on paper, but also excellent in day-to-day usage.
