1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 159.4 × 74.2 × 6.8 mm | The Edge 30 is significantly smaller and thinner, making it more pocketable and easier to handle. The Moto G 5G is bulkier and might be less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 212g | 155g | The Edge 30 is much lighter, making it more comfortable to use for extended periods and less tiring to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | The Moto G 5G offers a slightly larger display, which may be preferable for media consumption or those who prefer a larger interface. The Edge 30 has a slightly smaller screen, making it a bit more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays have the same level of sharpness, so visual clarity will be identical. |
| PPI | 393 | 405 | Similar pixel density means both screens will appear equally sharp to the naked eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Edge 30’s AMOLED display offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, resulting in a more visually pleasing experience for viewing photos, videos, and gaming. It also offers better power efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 30's 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, animations, and gaming look much smoother and more responsive. The Moto G 5G will look less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | The identical brightness values may be an issue since 0 nits is not usable. Both phones will have similar performance in various lighting conditions - but they may be unusable outdoors. This is likely a spec error. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ (6 nm) | The Edge 30's chipset is considerably more powerful, offering faster app loading, better multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The Moto G 5G will feel slower in comparison. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 609,900 | The higher AnTuTu score for the Edge 30 translates to noticeably better performance in real-world scenarios, especially for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | The Edge 30's GPU will provide better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | The Moto G 5G has a larger battery, which should translate to longer battery life for most users. The Edge 30 may require more frequent charging. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 33W fast charging | The Edge 30 charges faster, allowing you to top up the battery quicker than the Moto G 5G, despite its smaller capacity. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm pixel size | Both cameras are great, but the Edge 30’s larger sensor and pixel size will capture better low-light images. The Moto G 5G has a slightly wider aperture, but the Edge 30's sensor is superior. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm pixel size | 32MP, f/2.25, 0.7µm pixel size | The Edge 30 has much higher resolution, potentially yielding more detailed selfies, though the smaller pixels may impact low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | Not Included | The Moto G 5G has a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing expansive shots, which the Edge 30 lacks. |
| Depth Sensor | Not Included | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | The Edge 30 has a dedicated depth sensor, which can create a better bokeh effect for portrait photos than the Moto G 5G which has no depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | Not Included | The Moto G 5G has a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up photos, a feature lacking on the Edge 30. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | Not Included | 50MP, f/2.2, 0.64µm pixel size | The Edge 30 combines the wide angle and macro lenses into one, offering good quality for both shots, although potentially a worse macro lens compared to the Moto G 5G. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps w/EIS | Up to 4K@30fps w/ HDR, EIS, Slow-motion 960fps | The Edge 30 can record HDR video and offers a much higher slow motion video capability for smooth videos and more detail. Both are very good but the Edge 30 is more versatile. |
| Features | LAF | OIS, 4k Video, Manual Focus | Edge 30 has Optical Image Stabilization, and 4k video and can manually focus. Moto G 5G has laser autofocus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | The Edge 30 ships with a newer Android version and is upgradable, providing access to the latest features and security updates for a longer period, while the Moto G 5G's OS is outdated. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | The Edge 30 supports newer WiFi standards for faster wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 with APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | The Edge 30 has a newer version of Bluetooth with support for high-quality audio codecs (APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC) while the Moto G 5G supports Bluetooth 5.1 |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Edge 30 supports more satellite systems, potentially offering better GPS accuracy in various conditions. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones offer dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | The Edge 30 offers double the maximum storage, which is beneficial for users who store a large number of photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | The Edge 30 offers more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and better performance with multiple apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so you're limited to the built-in capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Edge 30 offers superior audio experience with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, making it great for media consumption. The Moto G 5G offers basic audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar fingerprint scanning technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Edge 30's screen is more resistant to scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have the same core sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, appealing to users who prioritize endurance.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lens: Offers more camera versatility for those who specifically require these lens types.
- Wider Aperture on Standard and Selfie Camera: While the sensor on the Edge 30 is better, the wider aperture on the Moto G 5G might be useful for some low light scenarios.
Motorola Edge 30 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 144Hz refresh rate offers better color, contrast, and smoother visual experience.
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Snapdragon 778G+ provides much better overall performance, especially in gaming and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is notably quicker.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Potentially more detailed selfies.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor size results in better photos, particularly in low light.
- Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio experience for media consumption.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 12 and is upgradable, offering a more current experience and features.
- Better Video Performance: HDR Video, higher slow motion capabilities, and OIS offer versatility.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2: Offers modern connectivity standards.
- More Storage and RAM: More storage and RAM offer a smoother experience.
- Lighter and Thinner Design: Significantly more portable and easier to handle.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3: Superior screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G 5G trades overall performance and display quality for a larger battery and dedicated wide and macro lens, while the Edge 30 sacrifices battery size for a much better display and performance, while also combining the wide and macro lens.
- The Edge 30 has a more modern camera sensor with features such as OIS, while the Moto G 5G relies on a laser autofocus system and has a wide angle lens as well as macro camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing battery life and who do not require the best possible performance, and prefer to have dedicated Wide Angle and Macro lens.
- Users who primarily use the phone for basic tasks: Browsing, social media, and calls, and prioritize battery life over performance.
- Users who heavily use wide angle and macro camera: The dedicated cameras are good enough for most people.
Motorola Edge 30 Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Gamers and power users who need fast, responsive performance.
- Media enthusiasts: Users who prioritize screen quality and audio for videos and gaming.
- Users who value portability: Those who prefer a slim, lightweight phone.
- Users who want a modern software experience: The more recent version of Android and better overall performance makes it ideal.
Specific Use Cases:
- Moto G 5G: Ideal for users who need a reliable phone for basic use throughout the day without frequent charging and who enjoy taking photos with wide angle and macro cameras. For example, someone on a long trip or a student needing a phone for note-taking might prefer the Moto G 5G.
- Edge 30: Best for users who consume a lot of media, play games, and want a more premium experience. A gamer, photographer, or video editor might prefer the Edge 30, also the superior display and audio is ideal for media consumption.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Moto G 5G offers better battery life and a good amount of features for its price range.
- The Edge 30 provides better performance, display, and features, making it a more appealing option for users who prioritize quality over cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life? If you need a phone that lasts all day without needing a charger, the Moto G 5G is a good option.
- What do you value more: Display or performance? The Edge 30 has much better display and performance, but is slightly less portable.
- What are your main use cases? If your primary use case is gaming, watching videos, or using resource-intensive apps, the Edge 30 is better. If you mostly browse the web, use social media, and make calls, either phone would be good.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Long Travel: Choose the Moto G 5G for its larger battery and ability to last a full day.
- Scenario 2: Media Consumption: Choose the Edge 30 for its AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and Dolby Atmos.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gaming: Choose the Edge 30 for its significantly more powerful processor and better display.
- Scenario 4: Casual Use: The Moto G 5G would be okay, but the Edge 30 offers better features for its price.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30. Although the Moto G 5G offers better battery life and a dedicated wide angle and macro lens, the significant improvements in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience of the Edge 30 far outweigh the benefits of the Moto G 5G. The Edge 30's faster processor, superior screen, and better audio make it a more versatile and enjoyable device for various tasks, including gaming, media consumption, and daily usage. The superior connectivity and software support also make it a more future-proof device. The slightly smaller battery is a trade-off I am willing to make given the fast charging capabilities.
