Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. These devices are fundamentally different, one a high-performance smartphone and the other a mid-range tablet, so let’s explore where they shine (and where they don't).
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-08 | 2023-10-16 | The Tab S9 FE+ is newer, benefiting from potentially more up-to-date software and features. |
| Form Factor | Standard Smartphone | Standard Tablet | Fundamentally different devices; one for pocket-sized portability, the other for larger screen immersion. |
| Dimensions | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | 285.4 × 185.4 × 6.5 mm | Significant size difference; The Motorola is a pocketable phone, the Samsung a large tablet. |
| Weight | 198.5g | 627g | The Edge 30 Ultra is significantly lighter and easier to carry. The Tab S9 FE+ is more substantial and is primarily meant for stationary use. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 12.4" | The Tab S9 FE+ offers a much larger screen, ideal for media consumption, multitasking and creative work, the Motorola for portability. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1600x2560 | The Tab S9 FE+ offers significantly higher resolution resulting in a sharper, more detailed image, but spread over a larger area. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 243 PPI | The Edge 30 Ultra has much sharper display with higher pixel density, ideal for crisp text and detailed images on a smaller screen. |
| Technology | P-OLED | IPS LCD | The Edge 30 Ultra's P-OLED offers superior contrast and deeper blacks, better for visual quality. The Tab has a standard LCD panel. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | The Edge 30 Ultra delivers smoother visuals and animations, better for gaming and fast-scrolling content. |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 0 nits | Edge 30 Ultra is excellent for outdoor visibility even in sunlight. The brightness for the tab is not provided, suggesting a less bright display |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | Exynos 1380 (5nm) | The Edge 30 Ultra has a much more powerful chip, ensuring smoother operation, faster app loading, better multitasking and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 507,000 | A massive performance difference. The Edge 30 Ultra is much faster and more responsive. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Edge 30 Ultra’s GPU is significantly more powerful, providing much better gaming performance. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 200MP, f/1.95 | 12MP, f/2.0 | The Edge 30 Ultra has a much higher resolution main camera, resulting in sharper photos, also has a wider aperture allowing more light |
| Front Camera | 60MP, f/2.2 | 8MP | The Edge 30 Ultra has a much higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/1.6 | None | The Edge 30 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, enhancing long-distance shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Edge 30 Ultra has a much higher resolution wide angle camera, ideal for landscapes and group photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The Edge 30 Ultra can record in higher video resolution, great for professional-grade videos. |
| Stabilization | Yes | No | Edge 30 Ultra is equipped with video stabilization system for much more stable video recording, Samsung Tab S9 FE+ does not. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 4610mAh | 10090mAh | The Tab S9 FE+ has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life. But real usage depends on power optimization and use cases. |
| Charging | 125W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | The Edge 30 Ultra charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | None | The Edge 30 Ultra offers convenient wireless charging options. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | Tab S9 FE+ has a more up-to-date Android version. The Tab S9 FE+ is promised 4 further OS upgrades for long-term usage. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| SIM | Dual SIM | None | The Edge 30 Ultra can handle two SIM cards for personal and work use. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both come in similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12GB | Both have similar RAM options, suitable for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so you need to plan on built-in storage. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Edge 30 Ultra offers better audio capture due to dual microphones. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Security Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Tab S9 FE+ has a more convenient, side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| BUILD | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Edge 30 Ultra uses superior screen protection. The protection level of the Samsung Tab S9 FE+ is unknown. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Edge 30 Ultra has a more comprehensive set of sensors for diverse usage scenarios like gaming and augmented reality |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
- Strengths: This phone is a powerhouse, with blazing-fast performance, a superb display, and excellent cameras. It’s designed for speed and versatility. The 144Hz refresh rate, incredible camera resolution, and rapid charging are standout features.
- Competitive Advantages: The Edge 30 Ultra offers significantly better performance, much faster charging speeds, higher quality display and cameras, making it a great choice for gamers, photographers, and power users.
- Trade-offs: The smaller display might not be ideal for media consumption, it has a smaller battery compared to the tab. The form factor makes it less optimal for tablet usage.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
- Strengths: The Tab S9 FE+ excels as a multimedia consumption device with its massive display and large battery. It is good for users that prioritize a large viewing area.
- Competitive Advantages: The huge screen and a large battery make it an excellent media consumption device and for drawing and note-taking.
- Trade-offs: The Tab S9 FE+ has significantly lower performance, and it's heavy and bulky, making it less suitable for portability. It also has lower camera quality and lacks many of the advanced features found in the Motorola.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts, gamers, photographers, and users who prioritize speed and performance. It’s great for those who want a powerful device that can handle demanding tasks on the go.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, mobile photography, video editing, heavy multitasking, and content creation on the go.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
- Ideal User: Those who primarily consume media, students, artists, and people who prefer a larger screen for multitasking and reading.
- Use Cases: Media consumption, note-taking, drawing, reading ebooks, document editing, and large canvas mobile gaming.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your primary use case?
- Edge 30 Ultra: For speed, gaming, mobile photography, or as an everyday carry phone.
- Tab S9 FE+: For media, reading, larger-canvas content creation and drawing
- Do you prioritize portability or screen size?
- Edge 30 Ultra: Portability and single handed usage is important
- Tab S9 FE+: Screen size and larger canvas is preferred.
- Is high-end performance a necessity?
- Edge 30 Ultra: Absolutely required for heavy gaming and resource-intensive applications.
- Tab S9 FE+: Not as crucial for its intended purposes.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- The Mobile Professional: If you need a fast, responsive device for productivity on the go, the Edge 30 Ultra is a better option due to its sheer power.
- The Media Lover: If you prioritize a large screen for binge-watching videos and reading, the Tab S9 FE+ is the clear choice.
- The Creative Mind: If you need a tablet for digital art, note-taking, and document editing, the Tab S9 FE+'s large display makes it ideal.
- The Gamer: The Edge 30 Ultra's high performance and high refresh rate display make it superior for mobile gaming.
My Choice
If I had to choose one, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. The sheer performance boost it offers, combined with its superior camera capabilities and incredibly fast charging, makes it the more versatile device for my needs. Although the large screen of the Tab S9 FE+ is tempting for media consumption, the overall versatility and power of the Motorola win out. I love the capability of being able to take professional quality video, game at high refresh rates, and still be able to quickly get my phone charged.
Ultimately, your choice will depend on how you intend to use the device, but the Edge 30 Ultra stands out as the more technically capable device that can handle a wide array of tasks smoothly.
