Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G30 vs. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Moto G30 is slightly taller, while Zenfone 11 Ultra is slightly wider; both similar in thickness, impacting one-handed use and pocketability slightly. |
| Weight | 200g | 224g | The Moto G30 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a slightly larger display, enhancing media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a much sharper display, leading to crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 269 | 388 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a significantly higher pixel density, resulting in a more detailed and clear viewing experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Zenfone 11 Ultra’s AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, especially noticeable in dark mode and when viewing HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides much smoother scrolling and animations, particularly beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers far better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, ensuring content remains legible. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a much more powerful processor, resulting in smoother app launching, quicker multitasking, and vastly superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 11 Ultra demonstrates a much higher benchmark score, indicating superior processing and graphical performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 750 | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides significantly better graphics rendering, leading to more fluid and detailed visuals in games and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, especially with the efficiency of the newer chipset. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | Not supported | 15W Wireless Charging | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64.4MP, f/1.7, 0.70µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1.00µm, 1/1.56" Sony IMX890 | While Moto G30 has higher resolution, Zenfone 11 Ultra's larger sensor and larger pixel size typically result in better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.5, 0.70µm, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | Zenfone 11 Ultra has higher resolution for selfies; however, the larger pixel size of Moto G30 may be slightly better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Supported | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | Zenfone 11 Ultra includes a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities, lacking on Moto G30. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Zenfone 11 Ultra has higher resolution for wide-angle shots, capturing more detail. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Not Supported | Moto G30 has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effects in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Not Supported | Moto G30 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Zenfone 11 Ultra can capture much higher resolution videos with better stabilization, suitable for professional content creation. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | Main 125 (Photo: 131, Video: 115) | Zenfone 11 Ultra has been tested with a respectable camera performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | Zenfone 11 Ultra comes with a much newer version of Android and is supported longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | Zenfone 11 Ultra supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Zenfone 11 Ultra features a newer version of Bluetooth with potentially better audio quality and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Zenfone 11 Ultra supports more satellite systems, providing better positioning accuracy and reliability. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Both offer dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly more internal storage, essential for large media collections and applications. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 12GB/16GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra boasts much more RAM, facilitating smoother multitasking and handling of demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | Not Supported | Not Supported | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers superior audio quality with Hi-Res support and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Rear-mounted | Basic Fingerprint | Both use similar fingerprint technology for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Not Listed | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly better screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity, Hall | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides a broader range of sensors for advanced functionality and gaming. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: At 200g, it's more comfortable for extended use compared to the heavier Zenfone 11 Ultra (224g).
- Lower Price: Likely more affordable, making it suitable for budget-conscious users.
- Dedicated Macro & Depth Sensors: Offers specific lenses for macro photography and better bokeh effects.
- Wider aperture front camera Allows better low light selfies
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher pixel density, much higher brightness, and a much higher refresh rate for a premium viewing experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a massive performance leap over the Snapdragon 662, ensuring smoother multitasking and better gaming capabilities.
- Advanced Camera System: A versatile camera setup with better main sensor, telephoto lens, and much better video capabilities. Also has been tested on DXOMark with good scores.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 65W wired and 15W wireless charging offer better convenience and faster charging times.
- Larger RAM and Storage: More RAM and storage provides ample space for applications and media.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, providing access to the latest features, and will be supported for longer.
- Premium Audio Features: Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers offer superior sound.
- Better connectivity standards WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 provides the latest connectivity technologies.
- Better build quality Includes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- Wider Range of Sensors: Offers more sensors for advance features and gaming.
Trade-offs:
- Moto G30: Trade-offs include poorer display, lower performance, inferior cameras, and no fast charging or premium audio in exchange for a lower price and lighter weight.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: The trade-offs include heavier build, higher price and not having dedicated macro/depth sensors in return for a much more premium device.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious individuals who prioritize basic smartphone functionality and are not heavy users. Users who need a lighter phone.
- Use Cases: Basic browsing, social media, calls, messaging, occasional photography, and video.
- Value: Provides solid basic functionality at an affordable price.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Performance-oriented users, gamers, media enthusiasts, content creators, and individuals seeking a premium mobile experience.
- Use Cases: Demanding gaming, video editing, high-quality media consumption, professional photography, and tasks requiring fast processing speeds and large storage.
- Value: Offers top-tier performance, features, and camera capabilities. Worth the high price for demanding users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Moto G30 is likely a budget-friendly option, while the Zenfone 11 Ultra is a premium device with a higher cost.
- What are your primary use cases? For basic daily tasks, the Moto G30 may suffice, but heavy users or gamers should opt for the Zenfone 11 Ultra.
- How important is display quality and battery charging speed to you? If display and charging speeds are vital, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If your primary goal is an affordable phone for basic tasks and you prefer a lighter device, the Motorola Moto G30 is suitable.
- Scenario 2: If you want the best performance, a premium display, advanced camera features, and fast charging, and your budget allows, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: If you are an enthusiastic user with an average budget and want the best of both, you might have to look at other alternatives as both phones do not target this range.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While the Motorola Moto G30 is a capable budget phone, the Zenfone 11 Ultra provides a much better overall experience. The significantly superior display, powerful performance, advanced camera features, faster charging, premium audio, better connectivity and high build quality make it a worthwhile investment for my needs. As a user who values performance, media consumption, and good camera quality, the trade-off in weight and the higher price are worth it for the premium experience it provides.
