1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Moto G30 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | Moto G 5G is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling more substantial in hand, while the G30 is more compact. |
| Weight | 212g | 200g | Moto G30 is lighter, which might be preferable for extended use. The 12g difference is noticeable |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | Moto G 5G has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Moto G 5G offers much sharper text and images with higher resolution. |
| PPI | 393 | 269 | Moto G 5G has a significantly sharper display, making it look clearer. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use similar display tech, expected colors, and viewing angles |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto G30 offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness but actual brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Moto G 5G's chipset is more powerful, offering faster app loading and smoother gameplay. |
| Antutu Score | 390,000 | 170,968 | Moto G 5G is significantly faster in benchmarks and real-world usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | Moto G 5G has a more powerful GPU for smoother graphics and better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 64MP, f/1.7, 0.70µm | Moto G30 has higher resolution for more detailed photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Moto G 5G has higher resolution for selfies. The G30 has larger pixel size for better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Comparable performance for wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Moto G30 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Both phones offer similar macro lens performance. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@60fps | Moto G 5G records in higher resolution for better video quality. Both have EIS and slow-mo recording. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Night Mode, Digital zoom, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Quadruple camera, Digital zoom, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Both offer a variety of features but Moto G 5G has a digital image stabilization and a night mode and Moto G30 has a dedicated portrait lens |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Moto G 5G charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Batteries cannot be replaced by users |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Moto G30 offers a newer OS with potential for future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-Band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-Band | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities, however Moto G 5G offers Wi-Fi Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.0 LE, A2DP | Moto G 5G has a newer Bluetooth version for potentially better stability and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | Both offer similar location capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both have dual SIM support. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both phones offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB | Both are suitable for moderate multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Basic audio | Moto G 5G potentially offers better voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Moto G 5G offers a compass sensor which enhances navigation and augmented reality experience |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: Snapdragon 750G chipset provides much faster processing speeds for app loading, multitasking, and gaming. (Antutu score of 390,000 vs 170,968)
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper display with a resolution of 1080x2400 (393 PPI) provides much better clarity for text and images compared to the Moto G30 (720x1600, 269 PPI).
- Better Video Recording: Can record video up to 4K, while Moto G30 is limited to 1080p.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Features Bluetooth 5.1 for better connection stability and range.
- Dual Microphones: Potentially better audio recording.
- Compass Sensor: More accurate and robust navigation
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate display provides smoother scrolling and animations compared to 60Hz on the Moto G 5G.
- Newer Operating System: Ships with Android 11 and is upgradable to Android 12, offering potential for future updates and features.
- Dedicated Portrait Lens: Includes a dedicated 2MP depth sensor for improved portrait mode photos.
- Lighter and Slightly More Compact: Might be more comfortable to handle for some users.
- Potentially better low light selfie photos: Larger pixel size for selfies
Trade-offs:
- Moto G 5G: Trades a higher refresh rate for much better performance and display quality.
- Moto G30: Trades top-tier performance and display clarity for a smoother display and a portrait lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal User:
- Gamers: The more powerful chipset and GPU enable smooth gameplay in demanding games.
- Media Consumers: Larger, higher-resolution screen is ideal for watching videos and browsing content.
- Power Users: Benefits from the faster processor for demanding tasks and multitasking.
- Users who value camera quality for video The 4K recording provides better resolution and detail than the G30's 1080p.
- Users who value a compass sensor The additional compass sensor provides accurate orientation and allows for advanced augmented reality applications
Specific Use Cases for Moto G 5G:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies.
- Multi-tasking between many apps.
- Capturing 4K videos.
- Navigation and Augmented reality
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal User:
- Casual users The basic functionality is suitable for everyday use
- Users who value a smooth display: The 90Hz refresh rate will provide a smoother experience.
- Users who use portrait mode photos: The dedicated lens makes this phone ideal for users who often take portraits.
- Users who want a lighter phone: A lighter design might be more comfortable for extended use.
- Users who prioritize newer software. G30 will receive updates for longer.
Specific Use Cases for Moto G30:
- Casual web browsing and social media.
- Taking a lot of photos.
- Everyday multitasking.
- Those who don't require a lot of processing power
- Users looking for a phone that is more comfortable to use and carry around
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Moto G 5G generally provides a better price-to-value ratio for performance and screen resolution, making it a better option if performance is a priority.
- The Moto G30 offers a smoother display, dedicated portrait lens and a newer operating system, making it valuable for casual users who might prefer those features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and speed? (If you need speed, the Moto G 5G is a better choice)
- What is your priority: screen smoothness or clarity? (G30 for smoothness, G 5G for clarity)
- Do you value a specific camera feature like portrait mode? (G30 has a dedicated portrait lens)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Gaming/Heavy Use): Choose the Moto G 5G for its powerful processor and superior display clarity.
- Scenario 2 (Casual Use, Portraits): Choose the Moto G30 for its smoother display, dedicated portrait camera, and newer OS.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Use with a Focus on Smoothness and portability): Choose the Moto G30 for its smoothness and lower weight.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Moto G 5G. While the 90Hz refresh rate on the Moto G30 is appealing, the significantly better performance of the Snapdragon 750G, the sharper display of the 1080p screen, and the 4K video capabilities of the Moto G 5G are simply more important to me as a user. I prioritize fast app loading, smooth gaming, and high-quality video capture above display smoothness. The better Bluetooth version and dual microphones are also welcome additions. Although I do prefer the more portable design of the G30, the difference is minimal and the higher processing power of the G 5G makes up for the difference. The extra features that the G 5G provides is significant enough for me to choose it over the G30.
