Okay, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. I'll aim to break down the specs, highlight key differences, and ultimately help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table that not only lists the specs but also explains their real-world implications:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 73.5 x 8.4 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm | Motorola is taller and slightly thicker, while the Samsung is wider. This can affect hand feel and pocketability. |
| Weight | 198.5g | 209g | Motorola is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.4" | Motorola offers a slightly larger display, which can be more immersive for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2340 | Both are sharp, but Motorola's slightly higher resolution could offer a bit more detail, though this is almost negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 403 PPI | Both displays are very sharp, the S23 FE has a bit more sharpness in terms of PPI which is not a huge difference. |
| Technology | P-OLED | AMOLED | Both use OLED tech, expect vibrant colors and deep blacks. The tech is very similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Motorola's 144Hz offers smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 0 nits | The Motorola's brighter display is a huge advantage for outdoor use in direct sunlight. The S23 FE is missing this data point but is most likely not nearly as bright |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Exynos 2200 | The Snapdragon in the Motorola typically provides faster, more consistent performance in most apps and games compared to the Exynos. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 1,188,176 | Both score very similarly in benchmarks. The Snapdragon on the Edge 30 Ultra does have a slight edge here, and is less prone to thermal throttling |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Xclipse 920 | Different GPUs with minor differences in overall gaming and graphics performance, but overall pretty similar. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4610 mAh | 4500 mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 125W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Motorola's significantly faster charging will get you back up and running much quicker. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W, 10W reverse | 15W, 4.4W reverse | The Motorola has faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 200MP, f/1.95 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Motorola's 200MP sensor captures incredible detail and resolution. Samsung's larger pixel size should perform better in low light conditions but is not as detailed. |
| Telephoto Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Motorola has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed in photos. The S23 FE has a telephoto for portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Motorola has a dedicated wide-angle lens. The S23 FE has this functionality built into a single ultrawide + macro lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 60MP, f/2.2 | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | Motorola offers a higher resolution for selfies, whilst the Samsung has larger pixels in its sensor for better low-light. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, up to 1080@960 | 8K@24fps, up to 720@960 | Both phones are good for videography, but Motorola offers 60FPS recording at 4K, as well as 1080P at 960 FPS. |
| DXOMARK | - | 127 | Only the Samsung has been tested. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Up to 13) | Android 13 (Up to 17) | Samsung's Android 13 with 4 more possible major OS upgrades provides the latest features and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both phones support the latest WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 LE | Samsung has a slightly newer Bluetooth standard with more codecs supported. |
| GPS | L1+L5 Dual band | L1 | The Edge has dual band GPS, for more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both phones have the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB | Motorola has an optional 12GB RAM configuration, for better multi-tasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage so the internal storage is what you are stuck with. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers, 2 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Samsung has a noise cancellation microphone for clearer calls. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Strengths:
- Blazing Fast Charging: The 125W charging is a huge convenience, topping up the battery in a fraction of the time it takes for the Samsung.
- High-Resolution Main Camera: The 200MP sensor is unique, capturing incredibly detailed images.
- Smoother Display: The 144Hz refresh rate gives a fluid and responsive feel to the interface.
- Faster Performance: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip offers consistently better performance than the Exynos in real-world use.
- Brighter Display: The 1250 nits of brightness is a huge advantage when using the phone in bright outdoor conditions.
- Dual-band GPS: The inclusion of dual-band GPS allows for far more accurate location tracking.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Strengths:
- Latest Software: Comes with Android 13 and guarantees 4 more major Android OS upgrades, offering longevity.
- Software Features: Samsung features more software additions including Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Dual PDAF, All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, Dual Sight.
- Better Low Light Camera: The larger pixel size on the main camera sensor could provide better low light performance.
- Noise Cancellation Mic: A noise cancelling microphone will offer better clarity during phone calls.
- Telephoto + Wide Angle/Macro: The S23 FE has a dedicated telephoto + portrait lens, as well as a Wide angle + Macro camera.
- DXOMARK Testing: While the Motorola has not been tested by DXOMARK, the S23 FE has a good rating in camera performance.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Motorola: Slightly outdated software and no guarantee of long-term software support, worse low light performance, and lacks some of the extra software features Samsung offers
- Samsung: Slower charging, less powerful processor, the display is not as bright and it doesn't feature a dedicated wide angle lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is Best For:
- Power Users: Those who need maximum performance and fast charging capabilities.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want to capture ultra-detailed images with a high-resolution main camera.
- Gamers: The 144Hz refresh rate and powerful processor make this phone a great pick for gaming.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a very bright display for viewing in direct sunlight.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is Best For:
- Software Loyalists: Users who value Samsung's software experience and long-term support.
- Casual Photographers: Those who are happy with good, consistent camera performance, especially in low light.
- Users Who Value Value: The S23 FE often provides a good value proposition for what you get, especially if the price of the Edge 30 Ultra is higher.
- Users who want to avoid overheating: The Exynos chipset is usually a lot more stable when it comes to thermal throttling.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself when deciding:
- Do I need the absolute fastest charging speed, or am I okay with something more standard? If fast charging is critical, the Motorola is the clear winner.
- Do I prioritize software updates and long-term support over cutting-edge specs? If long-term support is a key factor, the Samsung is the better option.
- Is having the brightest display possible important? If so, the Motorola has a massive advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The "On-the-Go" Photographer: Go for the Motorola if the main objective is to be able to capture a large amount of detail, or a large number of pictures without worrying about battery life. For consistent image quality with a greater variety of lenses, and a good low-light experience, the S23 FE would be the choice here.
- The "Performance and Power" User: The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the clear winner in performance thanks to its faster processor and RAM.
- The "Everyday" User: If you care about the latest software, a good consistent camera experience, and don't need to charge your phone as quickly as possible, the S23 FE would be a great pick.
My Choice and Why
Personally, I'd choose the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. Here's why:
- Performance: As a tech enthusiast, I value having the fastest, most consistent performance possible. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Motorola offers a tangible edge over the Exynos in the S23 FE.
- Charging: The 125W charging is a total game-changer. I find myself often needing to top up my phone quickly, and that speed is something I can not live without.
- Display: The brighter display is a huge win for me, as I live in a place that experiences a lot of sunlight. I also prefer the higher refresh rate.
- Camera: The 200MP camera is something I would love to experiment with, and I do not need the low-light capabilities offered by the S23 FE.
While I acknowledge that the S23 FE has a newer OS, I am someone who is less concerned with software and more concerned about raw performance. I would prefer the more powerful processor, brighter display, and faster charging offered by the Motorola. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your specific needs and priorities.
