Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 and the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G. I've broken down the specs, and I'm excited to share what these numbers actually mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-12 | 2022-10-07 | Poco M4 5G is a newer device by about 4 and a half months. |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 74.2 x 6.8 mm, 155g | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm, 200g | The Edge 30 is noticeably thinner and lighter, which makes it more comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability. The Poco M4 5G is bulkier and heavier. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones with no foldable screens. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.58" | Both phones offer similar-sized screens, good for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both displays have a very similar resolution, delivering crisp images. |
| PPI | 405 | 401 | Both phones offer similar sharpness levels, so you won't notice a significant difference in pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED on the Edge 30 provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. The IPS LCD on the Poco M4 5G is good but doesn't offer the same level of visual punch. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | The Edge 30’s 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations significantly smoother and more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness of 0 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | The Edge 30’s Snapdragon 778G+ offers superior performance, better app loading speeds, and smoother gaming experiences compared to the Poco M4 5G’s Dimensity 700. |
| AnTuTu Score | 609,900 | 381,300 | The Edge 30 has a significantly higher AnTuTu score, indicating superior performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Edge 30’s Adreno GPU is better for graphic-intensive tasks like gaming, whereas the Poco M4 5G’s Mali GPU is more budget-oriented. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | 13MP, f/2.2 | The Edge 30’s 50MP camera with a wider aperture captures more detail and performs better in low-light conditions compared to the Poco M4 5G’s 13MP camera. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/3.14", 0.7µm | 5MP, f/2.2 | The Edge 30 has a significantly higher-resolution front camera, ideal for detailed selfies and video calls. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have similar depth cameras. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | N/A | The Edge 30 has a versatile wide-angle and macro camera, adding flexibility to your photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 1080p@30fps | The Edge 30 offers higher resolution recording (4K) and higher frame rates (120fps), resulting in much better videos than the Poco M4 5G. |
| Camera Features | Triple, OIS, PDAF, RAW, etc. | Dual, basic features | The Edge 30 has a more advanced camera system with OIS for better low-light photos, and features like RAW capture for serious photography. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4020mAh | 5000mAh | The Poco M4 5G has a larger battery, which may result in longer battery life. However, the efficient AMOLED display of Edge 30 may offer similar battery performance. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | The Edge 30 charges significantly faster, reducing the time needed to power up the device. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, non-removable | The Poco M4 5G can reverse charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, up to 13 | Android 12 | Edge 30 offers a potential upgrade to Android 13, promising more features and updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | The Edge 30's Wi-Fi 6 offers faster and more reliable wireless connections compared to Wi-Fi 5 on the Poco M4 5G. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with APT-x, LDAC, etc. | 5.1 with EDR, HID | The Edge 30 has a more advanced Bluetooth version with support for high-quality audio codecs like APT-x and LDAC. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | The Edge 30 offers more storage space at the higher end (256 GB), which is beneficial for users with extensive media collections. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4/6 GB | The Edge 30 has more RAM available, which enhances multitasking and gaming performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, so you will have to be careful with which storage option you decide on. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | The Edge 30's audio experience is richer and more immersive, due to Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco M4 5G has a more advanced side-mounted sensor |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30
Strengths:
- Premium Display: The AMOLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate provides a visually stunning and incredibly smooth experience.
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset offers significantly better processing power for demanding apps and gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: The combination of a high-resolution main sensor, a versatile wide-angle/macro lens, and a high-quality front camera, along with features like OIS, delivers better photography.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging means less time tethered to the wall and more time enjoying your device.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers create a richer and more immersive sound experience.
- Future Proof Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensures better and faster connections.
Competitive Advantages: The Edge 30 offers a better screen, stronger performance, a more versatile camera, and faster charging in a sleeker, lighter package.
Trade-offs: The battery capacity is slightly smaller than the Poco M4 5G, although the more efficient AMOLED display may mitigate some of the difference.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G
Strengths:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery should provide long battery life, especially useful for heavy users.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to reverse charge other devices can be a useful feature in a pinch.
- Cost-Effective: The Poco M4 5G offers solid performance for the price, making it a budget-friendly option.
Competitive Advantages: The large battery is the main draw of the Poco M4 5G, alongside its lower price point.
Trade-offs: The Poco M4 5G has a less impressive display, a weaker processor, a more basic camera system, and slower charging compared to the Edge 30.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 is best for:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize smooth multitasking, gaming, and fast app loading.
- Media Lovers: Individuals who appreciate a vibrant display and immersive audio for movies, videos, and games.
- Photography Buffs: People who want a versatile camera system with higher quality image capture and more features.
- Style Conscious Users: Those who want a sleek, thin, and lightweight phone.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for a reliable smartphone at a lower price point.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Those who value long-lasting battery life above all else.
- Basic Smartphone Users: People who need a phone for everyday tasks and aren’t heavy users of demanding apps or photography features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Before you make your decision, consider these questions:
- How important is display quality to you? If vibrant colors and smooth visuals are a must, the Motorola Edge 30 is the clear winner.
- Do you play graphically intensive games or use demanding apps regularly? If so, the Snapdragon 778G+ in the Edge 30 will provide a much better experience.
- How much do you value camera quality? If you want better image quality and more photography features, the Edge 30 is superior.
Scenario-based recommendations:
- For the gamer: Go with the Motorola Edge 30. Its 144Hz screen, stronger processor, and better GPU will give you a smoother and more immersive experience.
- For the budget buyer: The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is the economical option if you prioritize long battery life over advanced features.
- For the photography enthusiast: The Motorola Edge 30 offers the better overall camera system, making it a much more versatile tool.
- For the everyday user: The Motorola Edge 30 is still the better phone here. The benefits from performance, display and the camera alone make it worth the extra cost.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Motorola Edge 30. While the larger battery of the Poco M4 5G is tempting, the overall experience on the Edge 30 would be significantly better, as it is a more well-rounded device. The combination of the vibrant AMOLED display, the incredibly smooth 144Hz refresh rate, the more powerful Snapdragon processor, the superior camera system, and faster charging all contribute to a more premium and enjoyable user experience. For me, the slightly shorter battery life (which may be negligible given the more efficient display) is a worthwhile trade-off for the substantial improvements in display, performance, and camera quality. I value a phone that's responsive and enjoyable to use daily, and the Edge 30 offers that in spades.
