Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy A35. I'll break down the specs, highlight their strengths, and help you decide which one might be right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-08 | 2024-03-15 | A35 is newer, likely with longer software support |
| Dimensions | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | 161.7 × 78 × 8.2 mm | Edge 30 Ultra is narrower, A35 is slightly thinner |
| Weight | 198.5g | 209g | Edge 30 Ultra is lighter, more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both have sharp displays |
| PPI | 395 | 390 | Similar pixel density, both are crisp |
| Technology | P-OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Edge 30 Ultra feels smoother during scrolling & gaming |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 0 nits | Edge 30 Ultra much better for outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Exynos 1380 | Edge 30 Ultra has a significantly faster chip |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 578,500 | Edge 30 Ultra handles heavy tasks and gaming much better |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Edge 30 Ultra excels in graphics-intensive tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 200MP, f/1.95 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Edge 30 Ultra captures more detail; A35 slightly better low light |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/1.22" | 1/1.96" | Edge 30 Ultra captures more light with larger sensor |
| Selfie Camera | 60MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Edge 30 Ultra captures much more detail for selfies |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/1.6 | None | Edge 30 Ultra provides optical zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Edge 30 Ultra captures more detail in wide shots |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | A35 offers macro photography |
| Video | 8K@30fps | 4K@30fps | Edge 30 Ultra supports higher resolution video recording |
| DXOMark Score | Not Available | 104 Mobile | Galaxy A35 has a solid camera performance |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4610mAh | 5000mAh | Galaxy A35 should have slightly longer battery life |
| Charging | 125W Fast | 25W Fast | Edge 30 Ultra charges extremely fast |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | None | Edge 30 Ultra has wireless charging, convenient for users |
| Reverse Wireless | 10W | None | Edge 30 Ultra can charge other devices wirelessly |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 13) | Android 14 (up to 18) | Galaxy A35 has a newer OS and will receive more updates |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Similar Wi-Fi capabilities |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Galaxy A35 has a more advanced Bluetooth version |
| GPS | More Satellites | Less Satellites | Edge 30 Ultra for more accurate GPS |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both have similar storage options |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6/8 GB | Edge 30 Ultra handles demanding tasks better with more RAM |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 Mics | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | A35 provides slightly better audio experience |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Basic fingerprint security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | Galaxy A35 offers better screen protection |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Strengths: This phone is a performance powerhouse with a top-tier Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, a lightning-fast 144Hz display, an incredible 200MP main camera, and blazing-fast 125W charging. The 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging are also great perks.
- Competitive Advantages: It's a clear winner in terms of sheer performance and camera capabilities. The higher refresh rate and brighter screen are noticeable improvements for daily usage and media consumption.
- Trade-offs: It's older (launched in 2022), so it might not get as many software updates as the A35. The battery is smaller, but it compensates with incredibly fast charging. It also lacks a macro lens.
Samsung Galaxy A35:
- Strengths: The A35 offers a newer device with a larger battery, and a macro lens for closeup shots. It also has a much newer version of Android (14 vs 12) and a slightly more durable screen with Gorilla Glass Victus. The Bluetooth version is also slightly better.
- Competitive Advantages: It's a solid mid-range device with excellent camera capabilities, especially considering its price point. It also has a slightly better audio experience. It's also likely to get software updates for a longer duration than the older Edge 30 Ultra.
- Trade-offs: The performance lags significantly behind the Edge 30 Ultra, the refresh rate is lower, and the charging speed is much slower.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is perfect for:
- Power Users: Those who demand the fastest performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want the best possible camera quality, including high-resolution images and versatility, who need the optical zoom capabilities that are not offered by the A35.
- Fast-Paced Individuals: People who value super-fast charging and wireless capabilities for convenience.
Samsung Galaxy A35 is ideal for:
- Everyday Users: Those who need a reliable phone with a great camera, solid performance for daily tasks, and excellent battery life.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who want a balance between price and features.
- Android Fans: Those who value a clean, up-to-date Android experience and longer software support, and more robust device protection features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How much do you value performance? If you need the absolute best performance for gaming or demanding apps, the Edge 30 Ultra is the better choice.
- Do you prioritize camera quality and features? If you want the highest resolution, optical zoom, and most versatile camera system, the Edge 30 Ultra is a clear winner. However if you are just looking for good everyday performance and a macro lens, the A35 will be adequate.
- What is more important - Battery or Charging Speed? If you are very bothered by the possibility of running out of charge the larger battery on the A35 is probably more beneficial. However if you have easy access to an outlet then the extremely quick charging of the Motorola may be more beneficial.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Gamer/Photographer: If you are primarily using the phone for mobile gaming and or photography the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
- The Average Everyday User: If you just need a good phone for general everyday use, including some occasional photos or games the Samsung Galaxy A35 would be the better pick.
- The Tech Enthusiast: The Motorola is the pick to get the most performance and cutting-edge features, while the Samsung is the pick to get the newer phone with longer lasting software updates.
My Pick:
If it were up to me, I would personally lean towards the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. While it's an older device and I appreciate that the Samsung is newer with more security features, the sheer performance of the Motorola and especially its camera with the high resolution main camera and optical zoom are features I would take advantage of far more. I also much prefer the faster 144Hz refresh rate, the extremely fast charging and the brighter screen for outdoor visibility. The Edge 30 Ultra offers a more premium experience.
