Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 and the Moto G04s. As a tech journalist and analyst, it's my job to cut through the marketing jargon and get to what really matters: how these phones perform in your hands and how they fit into your life. Let's get started.
Motorola Edge 30 vs. Moto G04s: A Deep Dive
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 | Motorola Moto G04s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.4 × 74.2 × 6.8 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | The Edge 30 is slimmer and more compact, while the G04s is taller and a bit thicker. The Edge 30 will feel lighter and more comfortable for extended use. |
| Weight | 155g | 178.8g | The Edge 30 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for longer periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.56" | Both have similar-sized screens, making the viewing experience largely comparable in terms of physical size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | The Edge 30 has a much sharper display, resulting in crisper text, images, and videos. The G04s will have less detail. |
| PPI | 405 | 269 | The Edge 30 has a significantly higher pixel density, making the display appear more refined and detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Edge 30’s AMOLED screen provides deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast; the G04s’ LCD is more standard. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | The Edge 30 provides smoother animations and scrolling with its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Unisoc T606 (12nm) | The Edge 30 has a much faster processor, leading to smoother multitasking, quicker app loads, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 609,900 | 220,000 | The Edge 30 is significantly more powerful, showing much better overall performance in benchmarks, especially in gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L (Adreno 642L) | Mali-G57 MP1 (ARM Mali-G57) | The Edge 30's GPU is much more capable for graphics-intensive tasks, including gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | The Edge 30 has a larger sensor, allowing it to capture more light, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/3.14" | 5MP, f/2.2 | The Edge 30’s selfie camera has significantly more megapixels, capturing much more detailed and higher-quality selfies. |
| Extra Cameras | 50MP Wide Angle + Macro, 2MP Depth | No extra cameras | The Edge 30 offers additional versatility with a wide-angle/macro lens and a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The Edge 30 can capture videos in 4K, offering significantly higher resolution than the 1080p on the G04s. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4020mAh | 5000mAh | The G04s has a larger battery, which should result in longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 33W | 15W | The Edge 30 charges much faster, getting you back up and running more quickly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Android 14 | The G04s ships with a more recent Android version, offering a newer set of features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | The Edge 30 supports the latest WiFi standard, offering potentially faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with AptX, LDAC | 5.0 | The Edge 30 has a newer version of Bluetooth with additional codecs for higher quality audio transmission and lower latency. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB | Both phones offer options for 128 or 256GB of storage. The G04s has a cheaper, lower storage version with 64 GB. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB | The Edge 30 offers much more RAM, leading to better multitasking and overall system responsiveness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so you're limited to what's available onboard. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | The Edge 30 has enhanced audio thanks to stereo speakers and microphones, providing a richer and more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones use a fingerprint sensor, but the G04s' side-mounted sensor is generally more convenient and faster. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30
- Strengths: This phone shines in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. Its AMOLED screen is far superior with higher resolution, better colors, and a smoother refresh rate. The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset provides significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness. The higher-resolution main and selfie cameras, along with additional wide-angle and macro lenses, make it a versatile shooter. Finally, its 33W fast charging is much faster.
- Trade-offs: Its battery is smaller and may not last as long as the G04s' on a single charge.
Motorola Moto G04s
- Strengths: The Moto G04s offers a larger battery capacity, meaning longer battery life on a single charge. It also boasts the latest version of Android (14) out of the box.
- Trade-offs: It has a significantly less powerful processor, a lower-resolution screen, a lower-resolution selfie camera, and it lacks additional cameras.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. Gamers, content creators, and anyone who values a premium multimedia experience will appreciate this phone.
- Use Cases: Ideal for gaming, high-quality video recording, photography, and content consumption.
Motorola Moto G04s
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize battery life and affordability. This phone is perfect for those on a budget or users who just need a reliable phone for basic tasks.
- Use Cases: Great for day-to-day communication, casual social media browsing, and basic photography.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide between the Motorola Edge 30 and the Moto G04s:
What is my budget?
- If you're on a strict budget, the Moto G04s will be the more affordable option, but at the cost of performance and display quality. The Edge 30 is significantly more expensive.
What do I primarily use my phone for?
- If gaming, video editing, and high-quality photography are important, the Edge 30 is the clear choice. If you are only interested in browsing, texting and consuming videos with lower demands, the G04s will be enough.
How important is battery life vs. screen quality and performance?
- If you need maximum battery life, the G04s is the better choice. However, if a superior screen and performance are paramount, the Edge 30 wins.
Alex's Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30 without hesitation. While the larger battery of the Moto G04s is appealing, the performance boost and much better display of the Edge 30 make it worth the trade-off. As a tech enthusiast and journalist, I need a phone that can handle demanding tasks, provide a great visual experience, and capture high-quality content. The Edge 30 delivers on all fronts.
Plus, the faster charging means I'm not worried about being tethered to a wall for long periods. For me, the overall experience and versatility of the Edge 30 outweigh the slightly better battery on the G04s. The Edge 30 is simply more future-proof and capable.
