Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G30 vs. Motorola Moto G51 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm | 170.5 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm | The G51 5G is slightly taller and wider, which might be noticeable in hand and pocket. Both are equally thick. |
| Weight | 200g | 208g | The G30 is slightly lighter, which might feel more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | The G51 5G provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | The G51 5G's higher resolution results in a significantly sharper and more detailed display. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 269 | 387 | The G51 5G has a noticeably crisper image, making text and graphics appear much clearer. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both phones have similar color quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The G51 5G has smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in gaming and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to determine display brightness, therefore we can't know how readable the screen is in sunny conditions |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm) | The G51 5G has a newer, more efficient chipset that offers significant performance gains. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 381,000 | The G51 5G offers substantially better performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 | The G51 5G has a more capable GPU, leading to better graphics performance in games and other demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64.4MP | 50MP | The G30 has higher megapixel count, but the G51 5G has a newer sensor. Pixel size is also slightly different, which might influence low light performance but other parameters are needed to draw a conclusion. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | The G30 has a slightly wider aperture, potentially allowing more light in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | Both phones offer identical selfie camera performance. |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 8MP, 1.12µm pixels | Both have similar wide-angle cameras, likely producing comparable results. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP depth sensor | Not available | The G30 has a dedicated depth sensor, likely producing better bokeh effect in portrait shots. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | 2MP, 1.75µm pixels | Both have comparable macro cameras for close-up photography. |
| Video | Up to 1080p 60fps, Slow motion 60fps | Up to 1080p 60fps, Slow motion 240fps | The G51 5G has more advanced slow-motion capabilities, whereas the rest is comparable. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both phones should offer comparable battery life, lasting a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 10W fast charging | The G30 charges slightly faster, which is useful for quickly topping up the battery. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Both have the same Android version and upgradability. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Display | G51 5G additionally supports Wi-Fi Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | The G51 5G has slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | The G51 5G has Beidou for potentially more accurate location data. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 64GB or 128GB | Both have the same storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 4GB or 8GB | The G51 5G offers a higher RAM option, which will aid in smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, which could be a limitation for users with large media libraries. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | G51 5G offers better quality audio and more features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear fingerprint sensor | Side fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security, but the side-mounted sensor on the G51 5G is more modern. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Unable to determine the screen protection, therefore we don't know the scratch resistance of the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Both phones have the same configuration of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Slightly lighter: At 200g, it is a bit more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Faster Charging: The 15W charging is faster, reducing charging time.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The dedicated depth sensor allows for potentially better portrait mode photos
- Lower cost: Typically, older models are cheaper making it more budget-friendly option.
Practical Implications:
- The lighter weight may be beneficial for users who use their phone frequently on the go.
- Faster charging can be useful for those who need quick top-ups.
- The dedicated depth sensor will enhance portrait photography experience.
- A lower price can make the phone more accessible to budget-conscious buyers
Motorola Moto G51 5G Advantages:
- Significantly better performance: The Snapdragon 480+ 5G chipset provides substantially better performance for gaming, multitasking, and app loading.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution (1080p) and refresh rate (120Hz) offer a sharper, smoother viewing experience.
- 5G Connectivity: Offers access to 5G networks, which is faster, and more reliable than 4G, and should be future proof for a while.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and dual microphones provide enhanced audio quality.
- Newer Bluetooth: Better Bluetooth version for future compatibility.
- More RAM Option: The 8GB RAM configuration allows for smoother multitasking.
- More Precise Location: Includes Beidou GPS support, for potentially more precise location data.
Practical Implications:
- The superior performance is ideal for users who use their phones for demanding tasks, like gaming and video editing.
- The better display results in a more immersive experience for media consumption and browsing.
- 5G enables faster data speeds and lower latency
- Better audio will enhance multimedia use.
- More RAM leads to smoother multitasking experience
- More precise location data is crucial for navigation.
Trade-offs:
- The G30 has a slightly better main camera aperture (f/1.7), for potentially better low-light performance, however it lacks 5G.
- The G51 5G has a slightly larger and heavier form factor compared to the G30.
- The G51 5G comes with 10W charging, while the G30 has 15W fast charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need a reliable daily driver.
- Users who prioritize battery life and basic photography.
- Users who prefer lighter phones for comfort.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and calling.
- Casual photography for social media.
- Users who primarily need a functional phone without demanding performance.
- Users who want a phone that's easy to handle for extended periods of time.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Ideal User:
- Users who value performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Users who consume a lot of media and want a sharp, smooth display.
- Users who want to take advantage of 5G network speeds.
- Users who prioritize better audio quality and modern features
Use Cases:
- Gaming and graphic-intensive apps.
- Watching movies and videos in high quality.
- Frequent use of navigation apps.
- Using the phone for conference calls and audio recordings.
- Future proofing for 5G networks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The G30 offers good value for basic smartphone needs, and is a cheaper option.
- The G51 5G offers a significant step up in performance and features for a moderate increase in price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for gaming and heavy multitasking?
- Is 5G connectivity a priority?
- What is more important, display or battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If you are on a tight budget and only need basic smartphone functionalities and don't need 5G, the G30 is a viable option.
- Performance User: If you require smooth performance for gaming and multitasking, and want a high refresh rate display, the G51 5G is the superior choice.
- Media Consumption User: If you spend a lot of time watching movies and videos, the G51 5G's better display and audio will give you a better user experience.
- General User: If you want a well-rounded phone with better features, and intend to keep the phone for longer, the G51 5G provides a better balance between cost and performance.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Moto G51 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Motorola Moto G30 has a few advantages, such as slightly faster charging and a dedicated depth sensor, the Motorola Moto G51 5G offers a more well-rounded, future-proof, and overall superior user experience. The key factors influencing my choice are:
- Performance: The significantly better chipset (Snapdragon 480+ 5G) and GPU (Adreno 619) on the G51 5G result in a noticeable improvement in overall responsiveness, making everyday tasks and demanding applications run smoother. This performance boost is a crucial factor for me, as I often use my phone for multitasking and casual gaming.
- Display: The higher resolution (1080p vs. 720p) and higher refresh rate (120Hz vs 90Hz) of the G51 5G provide a considerably better viewing experience, making content sharper and smoother. I value a good display for media consumption and browsing.
- Future-Proofing: With 5G connectivity, newer Bluetooth version, and a more powerful chipset, the G51 5G is more future-proof, which would make it usable for a longer time without feeling outdated.
- Audio: Dolby Atmos and dual microphones will provide enhanced audio, which improves the general experience and is very practical for conference calls.
- RAM: The higher RAM option on the G51 5G improves multitasking.
While the G30 is a decent budget phone, the G51 5G's improvements in key areas (performance, display, and connectivity) make it a significantly more attractive option for my needs, and overall value. Although the G30 offers slightly faster charging, for my usage, the other advantages of the G51 5G outweigh this.
