Alright, let's break down the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G. We’ve got a real David vs. Goliath situation here, and I’m excited to see how they stack up.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | 162.1 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm | Edge 30 Ultra is slightly slimmer and narrower, making it easier to handle with one hand. A24 is slightly wider and thicker. |
| Weight | 198.5g | 195g | Both are roughly the same weight; won't feel drastically different in your pocket. |
| Build Quality Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Edge 30 Ultra has better protection against scratches and drops. A24's is not known |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.5" | Edge 30 Ultra's larger screen is more immersive for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both have sharp, detailed displays; very small difference that's barely perceptible to the eye. |
| PPI | 395 | 396 | Very similar pixel density, images will look equally crisp. |
| Technology | P-OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; high quality displays |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | Edge 30 Ultra's 144Hz will result in much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 1000 nits | Edge 30 Ultra is much more readable in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm) | Edge 30 Ultra offers significantly faster performance for all tasks, especially gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 411,900 | Edge 30 Ultra is significantly faster overall, handling demanding apps easily. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Edge 30 Ultra has a higher tier GPU, leading to better graphics performance in games and GPU-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 200MP (f/1.95) | 50MP (f/1.8) | Edge 30 Ultra's 200MP sensor captures significantly more detail; A24 has wider aperture for better low light. |
| Front Camera | 60MP (f/2.2) | 13MP (f/2.2) | Edge 30 Ultra takes much more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP (f/1.6) | None | Edge 30 Ultra can zoom in without significant loss of detail; A24 cannot |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP (f/2.2) | 5MP (f/2.2) | Edge 30 Ultra captures more detailed wide shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | A24 can take very close-up photos. |
| Video Recording | 8K @ 30fps, HDR | 1080p @ 30fps | Edge 30 Ultra shoots professional-grade video; A24 shoots basic videos. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical Zoom, RAW | OIS only | Edge 30 Ultra offers far more manual controls and shooting options. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4610mAh | 5000mAh | A24 may have slightly longer battery life due to larger battery and less power-hungry chipset. |
| Charging | 125W Fast | 25W Fast | Edge 30 Ultra charges from 0 to full in a fraction of the time. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W Wireless & 10W Reverse | None | Edge 30 Ultra can charge wirelessly and can also charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | A24 has a slightly newer OS out of the box and will have more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6e, MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 | Edge 30 Ultra has faster, more reliable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | A24 has slightly newer Bluetooth technology. |
| GPS | More satellite systems | Basic GPS | Edge 30 Ultra is more accurate in location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256 GB | 128GB | Edge 30 Ultra gives more space for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Edge 30 Ultra will handle much heavier multitasking; A24 has multiple options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage, something to keep in mind if you require a lot of space. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Edge 30 Ultra offers a premium audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | Side mounted fingerprint sensor | A24 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor that may be more convenient than a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | More sensors | Geomagnetic | Edge 30 Ultra is more versatile for applications requiring more sensor information. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Strengths: This phone is a powerhouse. Its incredibly powerful processor, high refresh rate display, versatile camera system with a 200MP main sensor, and blazing fast charging make it a top-tier device for demanding users. The 8K video capabilities and additional manual camera controls also appeal to photography enthusiasts.
- Competitive Advantages: The Edge 30 Ultra wins on performance, display quality, camera capabilities and charging speeds. It's an absolute beast for power users and media consumers.
- Trade-offs: The battery is slightly smaller than the A24, and there is no expandable storage, meaning you are stuck with the original purchase. The device also uses an older OS out of the box compared to the A24.
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G:
- Strengths: This phone offers a solid balance of features and value. It has a decent AMOLED display, a reliable processor for everyday tasks, and a larger battery. The macro lens adds creative options. The A24 is also on the newer Android OS.
- Competitive Advantages: The A24 provides a much better price-to-performance ratio, and is designed for users seeking a reliable, affordable phone with a focus on everyday needs rather than high-end performance.
- Trade-offs: The A24 falls short in graphics, camera, and video recording capabilities. The refresh rate is noticeably lower compared to the Edge 30 Ultra.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is best suited for:
- Power Users: Gamers, content creators, and anyone who needs top-tier performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with high-resolution sensors and advanced controls.
- Media Consumers: People who enjoy streaming videos, playing games, and require a smooth and vibrant display.
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G is best suited for:
- Everyday Users: People who need a reliable phone for calls, texts, social media, and casual browsing.
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Those who prioritize a good balance of features and affordability.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: People who need a phone that can last a full day on a single charge without having to worry about performance-intensive applications.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To decide which phone is right for you, ask yourself:
- What is my primary use case for this phone? (e.g., gaming, photography, basic communication)
- How important is top-tier performance to me? (e.g., do I need the fastest processor and best GPU, or is good-enough acceptable?)
- What is my budget? (e.g., am I willing to pay a premium for a high-end phone, or am I looking for the best value?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Serious Gamer/Media Consumer - Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. The 144Hz display and superior processing will result in a much smoother gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: Casual User with a Budget - Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A24 4G. It has all of the core features you need while being budget friendly.
- Scenario 3: Photography/Videography Enthusiast - Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. The 200 MP sensor, 8k video and additional features will be a huge benefit to content creation.
What Would I Choose?
If I were choosing, I would go with the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. As a tech journalist and smartphone analyst with an engineering foundation, I appreciate the sheer power and innovation packed into this device. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, combined with the 144Hz display and the 200MP camera, would be far more useful to me as a reviewer who always wants to push the performance and image capture to its limits. While the A24 is great for a budget phone, it does not match the Edge 30 Ultra's potential by a long shot.
