Motorola Moto G30 vs Google Pixel 6 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 17, 2021 October 28, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 113.8 cm³ 110.72 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.25 "/g 3.19 "/g
Weight 200 g 210 g
Height 165.2 mm 163.9 mm
Width 75.7 mm 75.9 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Phantom Black (Dark Pearl)
  • Pastel Sky
  • Stormy Black
  • Cloudy White
  • Sorta Sunny

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.7 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1440 x 3120
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 88.6 %
Pixel Density 269 PPI 512 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 111.45 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.94 mAh/cm³ 45.19 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5003 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Google Tensor (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 610 Mali-G78 MP20

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.1
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.1

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 12
Maximum OS Version 12 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Google Pixel 6 ProPractical Impact
Dimensions165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm163.9 × 75.9 × 8.9 mmMoto G30 is slightly taller; Pixel 6 Pro is slightly thinner. Both are similar in hand feel.
Weight200g210gPixel 6 Pro is slightly heavier, potentially noticeable during extended use.
BuildUnknown screen protectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusPixel 6 Pro provides superior scratch and drop resistance for the screen.

Display

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Google Pixel 6 ProPractical Impact
Size6.5"6.7"Pixel 6 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive experience.
Resolution720x16001440x3120Pixel 6 Pro has significantly sharper text and images; better for detailed content.
PPI269512Pixel 6 Pro's higher pixel density results in a noticeably crisper display.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDPixel 6 Pro delivers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, better for media consumption.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzPixel 6 Pro has slightly smoother scrolling and animations, providing a more fluid user experience.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. This specification is not informative without a numerical value.

Performance

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Google Pixel 6 ProPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)Pixel 6 Pro's chip offers much faster processing, improved gaming, and better performance.
AnTuTu Score170,968721,000Pixel 6 Pro delivers substantially better overall performance for demanding apps and multitasking.
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G78 MP20Pixel 6 Pro has a more powerful GPU for better graphics rendering in games and video editing.

Camera

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Google Pixel 6 ProPractical Impact
Main Camera64.4MP, f/1.750MP, f/1.85, 1/1.31", Samsung GN1Pixel 6 Pro offers better image quality due to larger sensor size and superior pixel size, despite lower MP.
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.212MP, f/2.2, 1/2.93", Sony IMX663Pixel 6 Pro likely offers better low-light performance due to larger pixel size.
Telephoto LensNone48MP, f/3.5, 1/2", Sony IMX586Pixel 6 Pro enables optical zoom capabilities; Moto G30 lacks this feature.
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.212MP, f/2.2, 1/2.9", Sony IMX386Pixel 6 Pro offers better ultrawide shots with higher resolution.
Portrait Mode (depth)2MP, f/2.4NoneMoto G30 provides depth information for portrait mode, Pixel does not have dedicated sensor for it.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.4NoneMoto G30 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, Pixel 6 pro doesn't
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS, EISPixel 6 Pro offers significantly higher quality video recording with better stabilization.
DXOMarkNot AvailableMobile: 134, Selfie: 138Pixel 6 Pro has objectively better camera performance based on DXOMark scores.

Battery

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Google Pixel 6 ProPractical Impact
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth phones should have similar battery life given similar capacity, but other factors play a role.
Charging15W30W, 23W WirelessPixel 6 Pro charges significantly faster, both wired and wirelessly.
FeaturesNon-removableReverse charging, 23W Wireless, Non-removablePixel 6 Pro offers more versatility with wireless and reverse charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:

  • Lower Cost: Typically a more budget-friendly option, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
  • Dedicated Macro and Portrait Depth Sensor: Offers specialized photography features absent in the Pixel 6 Pro.

Practical Implications: The Moto G30 is a cost-effective option for users who prioritize basic smartphone functionality and enjoy dedicated close-up and depth photography without spending much.

Google Pixel 6 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Display: Offers a larger, sharper AMOLED screen with a higher refresh rate, leading to better media consumption and a smoother experience.
  • Significantly Faster Performance: The Google Tensor chip provides vastly superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
  • Advanced Camera System: Offers better image quality, telephoto lens, and 4K video recording with stabilization, which results in versatile and high-quality photography and videography.
  • Faster charging: Wired and Wireless charging capabilities are much faster on Google Pixel 6 Pro.
  • Better Software Support: Receives more frequent OS and security updates, ensuring a more secure and up-to-date experience over the long run.
  • Stereo Speakers and Microphones: Offers much better sound separation and audio quality.
  • More Storage and RAM options: Better for those who want to keep more data on their phone and need heavy multitasking.

Practical Implications: The Pixel 6 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a premium display, a superior camera, and long-term software support. It is suitable for demanding users and professionals who require top-tier smartphone capabilities.

Trade-offs:

  • Price: The Pixel 6 Pro comes at a higher price point than the Moto G30.
  • Macro and Depth Camera: Pixel 6 Pro does not have dedicated macro and depth sensor.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Motorola Moto G30:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a functional smartphone without breaking the bank.
  • Basic Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing.
  • Users who Value Dedicated Macro and Depth Camera: Those who enjoy close-up and portrait photography.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Everyday communication and light social media usage.
  • Casual mobile gaming and basic browsing.
  • Capturing detailed close-up photos with the dedicated macro lens.

Ideal User for Google Pixel 6 Pro:

  • Power Users: Those who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize camera quality and versatile shooting capabilities.
  • Media Consumers: Those who value a high-quality display for watching videos and playing games.
  • Professionals: Those who require a capable and reliable smartphone for work, which includes better audio and video recording and processing capabilities.
  • Users who value long-term software support: Those who prefer longer term software upgrades and latest features.

Specific Use Cases:

  • High-end mobile gaming and demanding productivity tasks.
  • Professional photography and videography.
  • Immersive media consumption with a high-quality display and stereo sound.
  • Demanding work environments requiring reliable performance and software support.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • Motorola Moto G30: Offers good value for its price, suitable for users looking for basic functionality on a budget.
  • Google Pixel 6 Pro: Offers a premium experience and cutting-edge features, justifying its higher price for users who prioritize performance, camera capabilities, and display quality.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is my budget? If price is a primary concern, the Moto G30 is the more affordable choice.
  2. How important is performance and camera quality to me? If these are high priorities, the Pixel 6 Pro is the clear winner.
  3. How much do I value a premium display and long-term software support? The Pixel 6 Pro excels in these areas.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User Needing Basic Functionality:
    • Recommendation: Motorola Moto G30. It offers essential smartphone features at a lower cost.
  • Scenario 2: User Requiring High Performance and Premium Features:
    • Recommendation: Google Pixel 6 Pro. It is suitable for demanding tasks and offers a superior user experience.
  • Scenario 3: User who needs better sound quality
    • Recommendation: Google Pixel 6 Pro. It has better speakers and microphone setup which ensures better sound quality.
  • Scenario 4: User who wants to take macro and depth photos using dedicated sensors
    • Recommendation: Motorola Moto G30. It offers dedicated macro and depth sensors to satisfy those needs.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Google Pixel 6 Pro. While the Motorola Moto G30 is a competent budget phone, the Pixel 6 Pro represents a significant leap in performance, camera capabilities, display quality, and software support.

Here's why, based on my criteria:

  • Performance: The Google Tensor chip in the Pixel 6 Pro is a substantial upgrade, offering a smoother, faster experience for all tasks. This is crucial for someone who uses their phone for a wide range of activities, including resource-intensive tasks and gaming.
  • Camera: As a photography enthusiast, the Pixel 6 Pro’s camera setup is far more appealing. The larger sensors, telephoto lens, and superior video recording with stabilization make it a much more versatile tool. The inclusion of Google's image processing is a major advantage in various shooting conditions.
  • Display: The Pixel 6 Pro's AMOLED display, with higher resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, is a significant improvement over the Moto G30's LCD screen. This is especially noticeable when watching media, gaming, or simply navigating the UI.
  • Software Support: The Pixel 6 Pro's promise of long-term software updates and access to the latest Android features is crucial for maintaining a secure, up-to-date phone, especially for my use cases.

While the price difference is a factor, the Pixel 6 Pro offers a more refined and future-proof experience. I am more inclined towards investing in better performance, premium features and longevity that it provides over the Motorola's focus on basic functionality. For my own use cases, I would choose the Google Pixel 6 Pro despite its higher price because its advanced feature set is worth the investment.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.