Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6. We've got a classic showdown here: a powerhouse standard smartphone versus a cutting-edge foldable. I'll break it down with an eye for both the tech and the real-world experience, because that's where the rubber meets the road, isn't it?
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with a focus on what these specs mean for you:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard Smartphone | Foldable Smartphone | The Flip6 offers portability and a unique form factor, while the Edge 30 Ultra is a more traditional full-sized device. |
| Dimensions | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | 165.1 × 71.9 × 6.9 mm (unfolded) | Edge 30 Ultra is wider and thicker, Flip6 is taller but thinner when unfolded, making it more pocketable (when folded). |
| Weight | 198.5g | 187g | The Flip6 is slightly lighter, which might be a bit more comfortable for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Both have very similar display sizes, the difference is practically negligible. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | Flip6 offers a slightly sharper display due to its higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 426 | The Flip6 has a slightly sharper display. |
| Technology | P-OLED | Motorola’s P-OLED panel usually offers better color accuracy and deeper blacks. | |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Edge 30 Ultra’s higher refresh rate gives you slightly smoother visuals, especially while scrolling or gaming. |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 0 nits | The Edge 30 Ultra is significantly brighter, making it much better for outdoor use under bright sunlight. We are missing the Samsung brightness figure. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | The Flip6’s newer chipset offers a huge boost in performance across the board and is much more power efficient. |
| Antutu Score | 1,231,300 | 2,250,000 | Flip6 has significantly better performance, enabling much smoother app loading, faster multitasking and it’s much more suitable for mobile gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | Flip6's GPU is more powerful, delivering better graphics for games and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 200MP, f/1.95, 1/1.22" | 50MP, f/1.8 | Edge 30 Ultra has a significantly higher resolution, allowing for more detailed shots, while the Flip6’s wider aperture can capture a little more light. |
| Selfie Camera | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 10MP, f/2.2 | The Edge 30 Ultra’s selfie camera is much higher resolution, which is ideal for sharper pictures. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/1.6 | None | Edge 30 Ultra has dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, the Flip6 does not have this. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | 12MP, f/2.2 | Edge 30 Ultra has significantly higher resolution for wide angle shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The Edge 30 Ultra has a far more capable camera for video recording, but both feature stabilization and slow motion. |
| DxOMark | No Data | 132 (Main), 132 (Photo), 128 (Video) | Samsung's score provides a benchmark for camera performance, Motorola's scores are not available. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4610mAh | 4000mAh | Edge 30 Ultra has a larger battery, which should translate to a longer battery life. |
| Charging | 125W fast charging | 25W fast charging | The Edge 30 Ultra charges much faster, drastically reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W fast wireless, 10W reverse | 15W fast wireless, 4.5W reverse | The Edge 30 Ultra has faster wireless charging. |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 12, upgrade to 13 | Android 14 | Flip6 has a more recent OS, typically with better features and longer support life. |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | The Flip6 offers more base storage and a higher maximum capacity for all your apps and media. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB | Both have ample RAM for smooth multitasking. |
2. Key Insights
Let’s break down the key differences:
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra: This is a powerhouse in a traditional form. It excels in raw camera capabilities, with its 200MP sensor, higher video resolution and telephoto lens, and display brightness. The Edge 30 Ultra also boasts much faster charging speeds. Its larger battery should also give you a better battery life.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6: This phone is all about the foldable form factor and top-tier performance. It has a newer, more efficient chipset for better overall speed and a slightly sharper display. The Flip6 is also more compact and portable when folded.
Competitive Advantages:
- Edge 30 Ultra: Superior camera system for both stills and video, and a much brighter screen for outdoor usage. Also faster charging times (both wired and wireless) and has a higher refresh rate screen (144Hz) giving more fluid scrolling and gaming experience.
- Flip6: The foldable design and cutting-edge chipset and updated Bluetooth 5.3 make it a unique and highly performant option. It has a much higher AnTuTu score, making it significantly faster for almost everything. It also has the latest version of Android.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Edge 30 Ultra: The older processor (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1), is very powerful but less energy efficient than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Its design is standard, unlike the innovative Flip6.
- Flip6: Lower brightness, significantly slower charging and smaller battery capacity. It also lacks a dedicated telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
- Best Suited For: Photography enthusiasts and content creators needing the best possible camera, particularly for high-resolution photos and 8k video. Users needing very bright displays for outdoor use and a large battery for day-long usage.
- Use Cases: Capturing high-resolution photos and video, outdoor shooting, heavy media consumption, gaming with a smoother display experience, users who prioritize very fast charging.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
- Best Suited For: Tech enthusiasts, individuals who value portability and a unique design, users who require top-tier performance, and those who want the latest software features.
- Use Cases: Everyday use, showing off the foldable form factor, multitasking, gaming at the highest speeds, consuming media on the go.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I prioritize innovation and portability? If yes, the Flip6 is the clear choice with its foldable design.
- Is camera quality and brightness my top priority? If yes, the Edge 30 Ultra, with its higher resolution sensors, telephoto lens and high brightness display, is the stronger contender.
- Do I need the absolute best battery and charging? If you do, the edge 30 ultra is the winner due to its much larger battery and 125W charging speeds.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Photographer/Videographer: The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the better pick due to its superior camera system and 8K video capabilities.
- For the Tech Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, with its foldable design and cutting-edge performance, offers a unique experience.
- For the Everyday User: Both are great options but consider if you value innovation (Flip6) or battery life and camera performance (Edge 30 Ultra)
- For the Gamer: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, with its more powerful chipset, is the clear winner.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, despite the Motorola's superior camera system and battery/charging speeds. The main reason I would choose the Flip6 is the cutting-edge performance that comes from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, I'm consistently doing heavy processing on my phone and speed is essential for me. Also, as a tech journalist I value innovation and the foldable form factor of the Flip6 offers an exciting look into the future of smartphones, and it's the best performing foldable on the market, so I'd like to experience it!
