Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 and the Nokia G60. I've structured this analysis to cut through the technical jargon and highlight what really matters to you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 | Nokia G60 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.4 × 74.2 × 6.8 mm | 166 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | The Edge 30 is notably slimmer and more compact, making it more pocketable. The G60 is taller, wider and thicker, feeling bulkier |
| Weight | 155g | 190g | The Edge 30 is significantly lighter, providing a more comfortable experience for extended use. The G60 feels more dense, which some people might like, but can make one-handed operation difficult |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.58" | Both have similar screen sizes. A negligible 0.08" difference isn't noticeable |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Essentially identical resolutions, resulting in similar sharpness and clarity |
| PPI | 405 | 401 | Pixel density is practically the same, meaning both screens will look equally crisp |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Edge 30's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, especially noticeable when viewing HDR content or using dark mode. The G60's LCD is still good but can't compare to the image quality of AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Edge 30's 144Hz refresh rate provides a slightly smoother scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phone have identical peak brightness |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G | Snapdragon 695 5G | The Edge 30’s Snapdragon 778G+ is a more powerful chip, which translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 609,900 | 410,072 | The Edge 30 scores almost 50% higher in benchmarks, indicating a noticeable performance difference in everyday use. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 619 | The Edge 30's GPU is more capable, offering better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.70µm | Both have a 50MP main camera, but the Edge 30's larger sensor and pixels capture more light, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and details |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/3.14", 0.70µm | 8MP, f/2.0, 0.64µm | The Edge 30 boasts a significantly higher-resolution selfie camera for sharper, more detailed self-portraits. While the G60's slightly wider aperture might do better in low-light, it doesn't make up for the large difference in resolution |
| Wide Angle | No | 5MP, f/2.0 | The G60 includes a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape and group shots. |
| Portrait | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensors for portrait shots with background blur. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | No | The Edge 30 has a versatile wide-angle lens that doubles as a macro camera for detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | The Edge 30 offers 4K video recording with HDR and EIS for better quality footage and stabilization. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, RAW, more | CDAF | The Edge 30 has better camera features, such as OIS, PDAF and RAW image capture, offering more flexibility and control. The G60 has only CDAF |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4020mAh | 4500mAh | The G60 has a slightly larger battery, but it will probably not result in a large difference in battery life due to the superior power efficiency of the Edge 30's AMOLED display |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 20W fast charging | The Edge 30's faster 33W charging will result in less time waiting for your phone to charge up. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| Operating System | Android 12, upgradeable to 13 | Android 12 | The Edge 30 has a confirmed upgrade to android 13, while it is not confirmed for the G60 |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, MiMO | WiFi 6 | Both support fast WiFi, with the Edge 30 also supporting MiMO technology |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.1 LE | The Edge 30 has a slightly more advanced Bluetooth version |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The G60 supports more satellite systems, potentially resulting in better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | The G60 offers eSIM support, which could be convenient for travel. The Edge 30 does not, but does support using two physical SIM cards simultaneously |
| Storage and Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | The Edge 30 has double the storage in the top variant. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | The Edge 30 has more RAM in the top variant, which would improve multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so choose a device with sufficient internal storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers, 2 mics | Basic audio features | The Edge 30 offers superior audio with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and better microphones. |
| Security, Build & Sensors | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint sensor | Side mounted Fingerprint sensor | The G60 has a side mounted fingerprint reader, which is generally more liked than the Edge 30's more basic offering |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The G60’s screen is more scratch-resistant with GG5. |
| Sensors | Compass | No compass | The Edge 30 has additional features, including a compass sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30:
- Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset provides significantly better performance for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.
- Vibrant Display: The AMOLED screen offers better picture quality with vibrant colors and true blacks.
- Enhanced Camera: Higher resolution selfie camera and more versatile main camera with macro capabilities and better video features.
- Better Audio: Better audio quality with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and microphones.
- Lighter and Slimmer: The device is lighter and thinner, making it more comfortable to hold and easier to carry around.
- Trade-offs:
- Smaller battery (although AMOLED screen is more power efficient)
- No wide-angle lens, but rather a wide-angle + macro lens
- More basic fingerprint sensor
- Gorilla Glass 3 vs Gorilla Glass 5 on the G60
Nokia G60:
- Strengths:
- Larger Battery: Slightly better battery life thanks to its larger capacity.
- Wider Range of GPS Satellites: Nokia G60 supports a wider range of GPS Satellites, potentially improving location accuracy.
- Screen Protection: Its screen is more durable thanks to the Gorilla Glass 5
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM support for easy digital carrier switching.
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner: The G60 offers a side-mounted scanner, which might be more practical for some users
- Trade-offs:
- Less Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 695 chip is significantly less powerful.
- Inferior Display: IPS LCD screen can't match AMOLED's contrast and color vibrancy.
- Lower Camera Quality: Lower resolution selfie camera and lack of advanced camera features such as OIS, PDAF and RAW.
- Bulkier Design: Heavier and thicker.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 is best for:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize speed and responsiveness for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who enjoy streaming movies and videos and want a vibrant, high-contrast display.
- Photography and Videography: Those seeking better camera performance with high-resolution selfies, more versatile modes and higher video resolutions.
- Users Who Value Premium Audio: Those who value better sound quality for music and videos.
- Users who like a slim and light phone: The Edge 30 is more comfortable for one-handed use.
Nokia G60 is best for:
- Users Who Prioritize Battery Life: People who want a phone that lasts longer on a single charge without charging.
- Travellers: Users who travel frequently and can benefit from eSIM functionality for switching between different carriers.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who are looking for a more affordable device without compromising on durability and basic functionality.
- Users who want a more secure side-mounted fingerprint scanner: The Nokia G60 offers a side-mounted fingerprint reader, which might be more convenient for certain users.
- Users who want a more scratch-resistant screen: Thanks to the Gorilla Glass 5.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide between these two phones:
- Do you value smooth, fast performance more than battery life? If yes, the Motorola Edge 30 is the better pick. If you need better battery life, the G60 is a slightly better choice.
- Do you need a high-quality display with vibrant colors and true blacks? If yes, the Motorola Edge 30’s AMOLED display is far superior to the Nokia G60's LCD.
- Do you prioritize the camera capabilities? If so, the Motorola Edge 30 is a much better choice. The higher resolution and added features make a large difference.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User:
- If you mostly use your phone for browsing, social media, and occasional photos, the Nokia G60 may be sufficient. However, the AMOLED display alone on the Edge 30 would make it worth the price for most casual users.
- For the Mobile Gamer/Heavy User:
- The Motorola Edge 30’s superior performance and 144Hz refresh rate makes it the better option by a large margin.
- For the Content Creator/Photography Enthusiast:
- The Motorola Edge 30’s 4K video, high resolution selfie camera and more versatile rear camera makes it the ideal choice for content creation.
Final Recommendation
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30. The superior display, significantly better performance and much better camera quality are the main reasons. I value responsiveness and display quality in my daily use, and the Edge 30 provides a much better experience in those aspects. While the G60 has its strengths, the trade-offs in performance and display are too significant for my preferences. The Edge 30 is not only a faster and more powerful device, but also a more enjoyable one to use on a daily basis.
