1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 163 × 76 × 7 mm | Edge 20 is thinner and slightly shorter, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold. G30 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 200g | 163g | Edge 20 is significantly lighter, making it easier to handle for extended periods and use with one hand. |
| Build Material | Not Specified | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Screen Protection | Edge 20 has better protection against scratches and minor drops on the screen. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Edge 20 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Edge 20 has a much sharper display, with noticeably clearer text and images. Better for reading, detailed graphics and high resolution content. |
| PPI | 269 | 385 | Edge 20 has significantly higher pixel density, leading to sharper, more detailed images and text. More immersive for photos and videos. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Edge 20's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, making for better video, gaming, and picture viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Edge 20 provides a noticeably smoother experience, particularly when scrolling, gaming, and with animations. Better responsiveness in games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. This is an unlikely value, actual performance is unknown without further information. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Edge 20's newer, more powerful chipset results in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. It also has 5G compatibility. G30 is more basic for general usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 589,200 | Edge 20 offers a much higher level of overall performance, making it better for demanding tasks, gaming, and long-term usage due to it being more future proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 642L | Edge 20 provides superior graphics processing, resulting in better gaming performance with more complex visuals and higher frame rates. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.7, 0.70µm pixel size | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" sensor, Samsung S5KHM2, 0.70µm pixel size | Edge 20 can capture more detailed images with its higher resolution sensor, while G30's wider aperture is better in low light, though the Edge 20's sensor is likely better in low light overall. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | 32MP, f/2.3, 0.70µm pixel size | Edge 20 produces higher-resolution selfies with more detail, though the G30 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | Edge 20 provides optical zoom capabilities, allowing users to get closer to the subject without loss of image quality. This is great for travel photography, concerts, etc. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | None | G30 has a wider field of view useful for capturing landscapes and group photos. Edge 20 is missing this feature. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | None | G30 provides a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos with blurred backgrounds. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | None | G30 has a dedicated macro lens, useful for extreme close-up shots, Edge 20 lacks this. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 16MP, f/2.2 | Edge 20 has a wide-angle + macro lens, useful for both wide and close up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 1080p@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, and slow motion recording up to 720p@960fps with EIS | Edge 20 can record higher-resolution video and has better slow motion capabilities along with digital image stabilization across all video recording modes. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, PDAF, LAF, RAW | Triple camera, Optical zoom, Digital image stabilization | G30 features more autofocus options and RAW image support, while the Edge 20 has optical zoom and digital stabilization for improved photo and video capture capabilities. |
| ### Battery | |||
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
| ----------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | G30 has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life and less need for charging during the day, however the Edge 20 is more efficient, which might negate this. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Edge 20 charges faster, reducing the time spent tethered to a power outlet. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Edge 20 can charge other devices wirelessly. Neither phone has removable batteries. |
Software
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, max version 12 | Android 11, max version 12 | Both phones have the same Android versions available and so are matched in this aspect. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6), Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Edge 20 supports the faster WiFi 6 standard, allowing for higher speeds, better performance in crowded networks and WiFi display compatibility. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE, A2DP, LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Edge 20 supports newer Bluetooth version with better sound quality and lower latency thanks to Apt-X and LDAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Edge 20 is more accurate with location data due to Beidou support and lacks SUPL. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM), Dual Standby | Dual SIM (Nano SIM), Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM functionality |
Storage
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 64GB or 128 GB | 128GB or 256 GB | Edge 20 offers more storage options, crucial for users with many photos, videos, and apps. Edge 20 is the better choice for large media users. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 6GB or 8 GB | Edge 20 offers more RAM, improving multitasking, responsiveness, and app switching. |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, so users are limited to the internal storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic Audio Features | Basic Audio Features | Both phones are evenly matched in audio capabilities, lacking specialized features. |
Security
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Edge 20 has a more modern and convenient fingerprint sensor placement, which is faster for unlocks. |
Sensors
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Edge 20 has a more comprehensive set of sensors suitable for advanced features, gaming, and AR apps. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, which may be desirable for users who prioritize battery over everything else.
- Wider Aperture on Main Camera: f/1.7 aperture can be beneficial in low-light situations, potentially allowing for more light to hit the sensor.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Offers the capability to take macro shots and depth images, not found on the Edge 20
Motorola Edge 20 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The OLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and higher resolution offers a significantly better visual experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 778G chipset results in faster processing and improved performance in all use cases.
- Better Main Camera Quality: Although aperture is lower, the larger 108MP sensor and accompanying image signal processor will produce better photos.
- Optical Zoom: Telephoto lens offers optical zoom capability.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging greatly reduces the amount of time spent connected to a charger
- More Storage Options: 256GB option provides more space for media, apps, and files.
- Lighter and Thinner: The lighter and thinner design makes the phone more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 with AptX and LDAC, leading to faster wifi speeds, better wireless audio quality and lower latency.
- Reverse Charging: Can wirelessly charge other devices.
Trade-offs:
- Moto G30: The main trade-off is the lower performance, screen quality and camera system compared to the Edge 20.
- Edge 20: Lacks a wide angle camera, dedicated macro lens and depth sensor found on the G30. Also has a smaller battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a more affordable phone with a good battery life.
- Basic Usage: Ideal for users who mostly browse the web, use social media, and don't engage in heavy gaming.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those needing a phone that can last longer between charges.
- Users wanting Wide Angle or Macro capabilities: Those that enjoy unique photography angles, not supported on the Edge 20.
Specific Use Cases for Moto G30:
- Daily driver for basic tasks and communication.
- Extended usage without frequent charging needs.
- Users needing wider-angle and macro shots.
Motorola Edge 20 Ideal Users:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who require fast, smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Those who watch videos, view photos, and enjoy visually rich content.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality photos and videos and use optical zoom.
- Future-Proofing: Users who want a more modern phone with longer-term software updates.
- Users Prioritizing Slim Form Factor: Those who value comfort and lightness of the phone.
- Users who require fast charging speeds: Those that prioritize quick charging over long lasting battery.
Specific Use Cases for Edge 20:
- Gaming and demanding app usage.
- High-quality photo and video capture.
- Enjoying media content.
- Productivity-focused tasks on the go.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Given the Edge 20's significant performance and display advantages, it offers a better value proposition for users who prioritize these features. If the cost difference is not a major barrier, the Edge 20 is the superior choice. The Moto G30 offers good value for a budget conscious user who is not concerned with performance and display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The G30 is the budget option.
- How important is performance and display quality? The Edge 20 offers a much better experience in these areas.
- Do you prioritize battery life or faster charging? The G30 has a larger battery, while the Edge 20 charges faster.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user needing basic features: The Motorola Moto G30 is the better choice, if budget and battery life is a priority.
- Scenario 2: User prioritizing performance and media experience: The Motorola Edge 20 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: User needing a reliable phone for daily usage and moderate photo/video capture: The Motorola Edge 20 is the better choice, offering an overall more robust performance.
- Scenario 4: User needing unique photography angles such as Wide and Macro: The Motorola Moto G30 is the better choice as the Edge 20 does not feature these.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Edge 20. While the larger battery of the Moto G30 is appealing, the Edge 20's superior display, significantly faster performance, better main camera sensor, optical zoom, faster charging, lighter and thinner design, and more modern connectivity options make it the clear winner. The overall user experience would be much better on the Edge 20, and it is also more future-proof due to the superior chipset and faster wifi compatibility. Although the Moto G30 has a couple of unique camera features, these are not significant enough to outweigh the Edge 20's superior overall capabilities. The extra price for the Edge 20 would be worth it for me, considering it would offer much better day-to-day use.
