Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G30 vs. Huawei Mate X3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Huawei Mate X3 offers a larger screen that folds for portability, while the Moto G30 is a traditional, fixed-screen phone. |
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 156.9 × 141.5 × 5.3 mm | The Mate X3 is shorter but much wider when unfolded. The G30 is notably thicker. The Mate X3 is designed for immersive viewing and has more limited pocketability when unfolded. |
| Weight | 200g | 239g | The Moto G30 is significantly lighter and easier to handle for extended periods. The Mate X3 is heavier which may lead to hand fatigue in long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 7.85" | The Mate X3 has a considerably larger screen, beneficial for multimedia and multitasking. G30 is suitable for one-hand use. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 2224x2496 | The Mate X3 provides a much sharper, detailed image. The Moto G30 will have a noticeably less clear display. |
| Pixel Density | 269 PPI | 426 PPI | The Mate X3 offers much clearer text and visuals due to higher pixel density, improving the viewing experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | Unknown | The Moto G30's IPS LCD technology offers decent color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Mate X3 provides smoother scrolling and animations, offering a more responsive user interface. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have similar peak brightness, but it is not a valid value. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | The Mate X3's flagship-level chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The G30 is designed for basic usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 1,238,400 | The Mate X3 delivers a far superior performance, capable of handling demanding tasks effortlessly. The G30 may experience lag with intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 730 | The Mate X3's superior GPU provides enhanced graphics capabilities for demanding games and graphic-intensive apps. The Moto G30 is limited in this regard. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | The Moto G30 has a slightly larger battery, which might offer a marginal advantage in battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 66W fast charging, 50W wireless charging | The Mate X3 offers significantly faster wired charging and convenient wireless charging. The Moto G30's charging is much slower. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Wireless charge 50W | The Mate X3 offers greater convenience thanks to fast wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64.4MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" sensor (Sony IMX766), 1.00µm pixels | The Mate X3 uses a larger sensor with larger pixels, leading to better low-light performance. The G30 has higher resolution but likely less detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 8MP, f/2.4 | The Moto G30 has a higher resolution selfie camera, but the pixel sizes are unknown for the Mate X3. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 16MP, f/3.4, 1/3.09" sensor (Sony IMX351), 1.00µm pixels | The Mate X3 provides optical zoom capabilities, not available on the G30, offering versatility in photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | None | The Moto G30 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, which the Mate X3 does not. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | None | The Moto G30 has a dedicated portrait lens, which the Mate X3 does not. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | None | The Moto G30 has a dedicated macro lens, which the Mate X3 does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2 (Sony IMX688) | The Mate X3 provides ultra-wide capabilities with macro, which the G30 does not. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, No EIS | 4K@30/60fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | The Mate X3 offers higher resolution video recording with EIS for stable footage. The G30 lacks EIS. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, PDAF, LAF | Triple camera, OIS, Ultra stable video | The Mate X3 provides more advanced image stabilization and optical zoom. The G30 has additional focusing technologies. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 12 (Unknown customizations) | Mate X3 is newer and supports a more recent OS. The G30 OS is upgradeable to 12. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Mate X3 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 for better speeds and performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE, EDR, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Mate X3 has a newer Bluetooth version offering better audio codecs and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Mate X3 supports more satellite systems, for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Mate X3 can handle two SIMs simultaneously, while the G30 may experience delays. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 256/512/1024GB | Mate X3 has vastly more internal storage for media and apps. |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 8/12GB | Mate X3 offers significantly more RAM for superior multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Stereo Speakers | Mate X3 provides better audio with stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Mate X3 has a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use similar screen protection technology, but the exact technology is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall, RGB | The Mate X3 offers a more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: More comfortable for single-handed use and carrying in a pocket.
Wider range of dedicated lenses: Features a dedicated wide-angle, macro and depth lens.
Marginally larger battery: May offer slightly better battery life with similar usage.
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a large, immersive display that folds for portability.
- Superior Performance: Flagship-level chipset for smooth and fast performance.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and refresh rate for a better viewing experience.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired charging and wireless charging.
- More advanced Camera: Superior sensor, optical zoom, and video recording capabilities, and a combined macro and wide angle lens.
- More Internal Storage & RAM: Offers significantly more storage space and memory, beneficial for power users.
- More Modern Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and newer Bluetooth versions.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo Speakers for a more immersive audio experience.
- Advanced Sensors: Features Barometer, Compass, Gravity, Hall, RGB for a more advanced sensor suite.
- Dual Sim full active: Allows full function dual SIM usage without switching cards.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola Moto G30: Lacks performance for power users, a lower-resolution display, and slower charging, and is not a foldable device.
- Huawei Mate X3: Significantly more expensive, heavier, and larger when unfolded and may not be comfortable for single hand usage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users, users who prefer lighter phones, users with basic smartphone needs (calls, messaging, social media, and light browsing)
- Use Cases: Everyday communication, casual browsing, light gaming, and basic photography.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for the price for users with basic needs
Huawei Mate X3:
- Ideal Users: Power users, professionals, tech enthusiasts, users who prioritize screen quality, performance, and camera capabilities and users that like new technology
- Use Cases: Heavy multitasking, high-end gaming, professional photography and videography, consuming multimedia, productivity tasks, and video conferencing.
- Price-to-Value: Justified for users who need top-tier performance and features but might be too expensive for basic users.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions buyers should consider:
Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- If budget is a primary concern, the Motorola Moto G30 is the more economical option.
- If budget is not a major issue, the Huawei Mate X3 offers far more features and performance.
Primary Use Cases: What will you primarily use the phone for?
- For basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light browsing, the Moto G30 is adequate.
- For heavy multitasking, gaming, and professional media creation, the Mate X3 is a better choice.
Size and Portability: Do you prioritize a lighter, more compact phone or a large, immersive display?
- If portability is key, the G30 is the easier phone to carry.
- If screen real estate for media and productivity is desired, the Mate X3 is a good option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Student on a Budget:
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G30. It covers basic needs without breaking the bank.
- Scenario 2: Professional Photographer/Videographer:
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate X3. Its superior camera capabilities, performance, and screen quality justify its high price.
- Scenario 3: Casual User wanting a big screen:
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate X3. Offers a large, foldable screen with great performance.
My Choice:
Given the choice, I would personally choose the Huawei Mate X3. Despite the significant price difference, the sheer leap in performance, display quality, and overall capabilities makes it a far superior device. As a tech enthusiast, I value the latest technology, which the Mate X3 embodies with its foldable screen, flagship-level performance, and advanced camera features. The large screen would also be useful for my multitasking needs. While the weight and size are a concern, the overall functionality and performance justify the compromise. The Moto G30 is a fine phone for those on a tight budget, but the Mate X3 is a much more compelling device for someone who wants the best possible smartphone experience.
