Okay, let's dive deep into the Motorola Edge 30 and the OnePlus Nord 4. We'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these phones stack up, with a focus on what these specs actually mean for you:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.4 × 74.2 × 6.8 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | Nord 4 is taller and thicker; Edge 30 feels slimmer. |
| Weight | 155g | 199.5g | Edge 30 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.74" | Nord 4 offers slightly more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | Nord 4 has a sharper, more detailed display. |
| PPI | 405 | 450 | Nord 4 has noticeably higher pixel density, resulting in crisper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Edge 30 has slightly smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | Nord 4 has incredible outdoor visibility, even under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | Nord 4's chip is significantly more powerful and efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 609,900 | 1,366,982 | Nord 4 provides dramatically faster performance for everything from app loading to gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 732 | Nord 4 has superior graphics performance, better for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", OV50A | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", Sony LYT-600 | Edge 30 has a slightly larger sensor, likely resulting in better low-light performance but less detail. |
| Selfie Lens | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/3.14", Samsung JD1 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | Edge 30 has a higher resolution front camera but smaller pixels, Nord 4 has a larger pixel size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | Nord 4 features a wide-angle lens for group shots. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Edge 30 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 50MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Edge 30 has a dedicated wide angle + macro lens |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | Nord 4 provides higher framerate at 4k, both feature video stabilisation. |
| Features | Triple camera, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Dual camera, OIS | Edge 30 offers more photo modes; Nord 4 is more focused on key features. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4020mAh | 5500mAh | Nord 4 has a significantly larger battery, likely providing longer usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Nord 4 charges much faster. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | Nord 4 gets the latest OS and longer updates. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | Nord 4 offers more storage options, including a 512GB model. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8/12/16GB | Nord 4 offers more RAM options, better for heavy use. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Dual band | WiFi 6 | Edge 30 additionally has Dual band |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.4 | Nord 4 has latest Bluetooth and enhanced connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Nord 4 has more accurate positioning |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Edge 30 provides better sound quality with Dolby Atmos. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Edge 30 has known screen protection, Nord 4 doesn't |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Strengths:
- Slim & Light: The Edge 30 is noticeably lighter and thinner, making it comfortable for long periods.
- High Refresh Rate Display: With a 144Hz refresh rate, it offers the smoothest scrolling experience.
- Camera versatility: With a macro and portrait lens it has versatile cameras
Motorola Edge 30 Competitive Advantages:
- Audio Superiority: Dolby Atmos enhances spatial audio and immersion.
- Better Screen protection: With Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Lightness: The Edge 30 is significantly lighter
OnePlus Nord 4 Strengths:
- Performance Monster: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip blows the Edge 30 out of the water in terms of speed and efficiency.
- Superb Display: With significantly higher brightness, the Nord 4 is very easy to see outdoors.
- Extended Battery Life: A larger battery, and quicker charging, ensures your phone doesn’t run out of juice mid-day.
OnePlus Nord 4 Competitive Advantages:
- Latest OS: The Nord 4 ships with the latest Android version and promise of upgrades
- Storage and RAM options: The phone has a wide range of storage and RAM
- Wide Angle Lens: Providing more flexibility for photography
- Significantly Higher Brightness: Allows for excellent outdoor visibility.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Edge 30:
- Older chip means it won't be as fast in multitasking or gaming
- Less impressive battery life
- Nord 4:
- The phone is significantly heavier than the Edge 30
- The selfie camera has a lower resolution, but larger pixels.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 30:
- Best For: Users who prioritize a slim, lightweight design, smooth display, and enhanced audio experience.
- Use Cases: Casual users, media consumers, and those who value ergonomics over raw power.
- OnePlus Nord 4:
- Best For: Power users, gamers, and anyone who needs a phone that can handle heavy workloads and last all day.
- Use Cases: Gamers, photographers, multitaskers, outdoor adventurers
4. Buying Decision Framework
To make your decision easier, ask yourself these three questions:
- How important is performance and speed to you? If you need the absolute best speed for gaming or heavy multitasking, the Nord 4 is the clear winner.
- Do you prefer a light or heavier phone with longer battery life? If you prefer a very light device, the Edge 30 is your better bet. But if you prefer longer battery life, choose the Nord 4
- How often will you use the phone outdoors in bright daylight? If you are outdoors a lot, the Nord 4's 2200 nits brightness is vital
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you mainly browse the web, use social media, and watch videos, the Motorola Edge 30 is likely more than adequate.
- The Mobile Gamer/Power User: The OnePlus Nord 4 is the superior choice due to its powerful processor and higher frame rates.
- The Outdoor Enthusiast: The OnePlus Nord 4 will give you the best outdoor visibility due to its extremely high brightness display.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were to choose between these two phones, I'd lean towards the OnePlus Nord 4. Here's why:
- Raw Power: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 is a significant upgrade over the Edge 30's chip, making a difference in app loading, multi-tasking, and gaming. As someone who likes to push my phone to its limits, that performance boost matters.
- Battery Life: As a heavy user, the significantly larger battery is also extremely important.
- Display Brightness: My work often takes me outdoors, and having a screen that can remain visible even under direct sunlight is something I value highly.
- Future-Proofing: The latest OS version and more RAM will provide a better overall user experience in the long-run
While I appreciate the slim design and high refresh rate of the Motorola Edge 30, the OnePlus Nord 4 offers a more well-rounded package that meets my performance and battery needs. The added storage and RAM options are also a great bonus.
The Nord 4 isn't a perfect phone, it's heavier, and it lacks some of the versatility in camera modes and the enhanced audio of the Motorola. But, for my needs, the benefits of the Nord 4 far outweigh its drawbacks. I'd recommend this device to most users, but you should carefully consider your priorities before making your decision.
