1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Nokia G21 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 164.6 × 75.9 × 8.5 mm | Moto G30 is slightly thicker and has a larger overall volume, Nokia G21 might feel slightly sleeker. |
| Weight | 200g | 190g | Nokia G21 is 10g lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Identical screen size on both phones. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both have the same HD+ resolution, pixel density is nearly identical resulting in similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 269 | 270 | Indistinguishable sharpness in daily use. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both provide smoother scrolling and animations than standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown, but expected to be similar; may struggle in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Nokia G21 has a newer chip offering a higher benchmark score. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 253,300 | Nokia G21 should be noticeably faster for app loading and overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Nokia G21's GPU shows better performance in benchmark, indicating smoother graphics for casual gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64.4MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Moto G30 has higher megapixel count and slightly wider aperture, potentially better in low light scenarios. |
| Front Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Moto G30 has higher resolution selfie camera, while Nokia G21 has a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | Moto G30 offers a wider field of view, useful for landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensing capabilities for portrait mode photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro photography capabilities. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps | Moto G30 offers 60fps video recording |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 60 fps | No, 30 fps | Moto G30 has better slow-motion video capabilities |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both offer similar all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 15W | 18W | Nokia G21 charges slightly faster. |
| In-box Charger | No | 10W | Nokia G21 comes with a basic charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Nokia G21 will get one more OS upgrade and has more up-to-date OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n | Moto G30 supports newer WiFi standard, offering Wi-Fi Direct. Nokia G21 additionally supports Wi-Fi Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | Identical Bluetooth version and functionalities. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Nokia G21 supports Beidou which might improve accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 4/6 GB | Similar memory configurations for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | No expandable storage on either device. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | 2 Microphones | Nokia G21 has potentially better audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-mounted | Side-mounted | Side-mounted sensor of Nokia G21 generally offers quicker access. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Moto G30 has an additional gyroscope sensor useful for some applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 64.4MP main camera compared to Nokia G21's 50MP, potentially better for detailed shots and low-light performance.
- Wide-Angle Camera: Dedicated 8MP wide-angle lens offers more versatility for capturing landscapes or group photos.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 13MP front camera versus 8MP for potentially sharper selfies.
- Gyroscope sensor: useful for enhanced motion sensing and gaming.
- 60fps video recording: Allows smoother video capture compared to 30fps on Nokia G21.
- Slow-motion 60fps: Better slow-motion capabilities.
- WiFi Direct: More options for wireless device connections
Nokia G21 Advantages:
- Better Performance: Higher AnTuTu score, indicating a faster and smoother experience, especially in app loading and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 18W fast charging versus 15W for slightly quicker battery replenishment.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 10W in-box charger, saving the cost of purchasing one separately.
- More OS Updates: Guaranteed to receive Android 13, potentially longer software support.
- Better Audio Recording: 2 Microphones for improved audio capture.
- Side mounted fingerprint: Generally faster unlock experience
- Better GPS: Includes Beidou support for improved GPS accuracy
- Wi-Fi Display: More options for wireless connections to external displays.
- Front Flash: Allows selfies in darker environments.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola Moto G30: While it has a better main camera and offers more camera versatility, its overall performance lags behind the Nokia G21.
- Nokia G21: While it has a better performing chipset, it lacks the versatility of an ultrawide angle lens and lower resolution selfie camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal User:
- Casual Photographers: Users who prioritize camera versatility with a wide-angle lens, higher resolution selfies, and detailed shots with the main camera.
- Users who like to capture video: Better slow-motion and higher video framerate.
- Users who prioritize connectivity: More options for WiFi connections
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who want a phone with a good camera and display and are not heavy users, who want better value for money with multiple camera lenses.
Nokia G21 Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: Those who want a phone with smooth performance for everyday tasks, browsing, social media, and basic app usage.
- Users needing battery longevity: Long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who prioritize software updates: A longer-lasting device with more software updates and support.
- Users that need clearer audio recordings: Improved voice capture.
Specific Use Cases:
- Motorola Moto G30: Capturing travel photos, group photos, portraits, occasional social media content creation.
- Nokia G21: Daily browsing, social media, messaging, making phone calls, and as a reliable daily driver with longer software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera versatility to you? If a wide-angle lens and higher-resolution selfies are crucial, the Motorola Moto G30 is better suited. If a good main camera is sufficient, Nokia G21 is ok.
- How much do you value smooth performance? If smoother app loading and multitasking are a priority, the Nokia G21 is the better choice.
- How important is software updates and support? If having a device with long-lasting software updates and support is more important, Nokia G21 is a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For social media enthusiasts who want to capture diverse content: The Motorola Moto G30 is better, thanks to the ultrawide-angle camera and higher resolution selfie camera.
- For someone who primarily uses their phone for daily tasks, browsing, and who wants a reliable, long-lasting device: The Nokia G21 is a better all-round option due to it's better performance, charging speeds and software updates.
- For someone who values value for money The Motorola Moto G30 offers more camera lenses and variety, which translates to better value for money.
My Choice
I would choose the Nokia G21.
While the Motorola Moto G30 has some appealing camera features like the ultrawide lens, the Nokia G21 offers a more balanced and future-proof package. The improved performance, faster charging, and guaranteed software updates make it a more practical choice for everyday use. Additionally, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor and enhanced audio capture further improve user experience. Although I appreciate the additional camera versatility on the Motorola Moto G30, the better overall experience offered by the Nokia G21 makes it a slightly more compelling option. As someone who uses a phone as a reliable daily driver for various purposes, the Nokia G21's advantages in performance, battery, software, and security outweigh the camera-centric strengths of the Moto G30.
