1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 164 × 77 × 8.2 mm | Moto G30 is slightly taller and thicker, while CMF Phone 1 is wider. CMF Phone 1 will likely feel slimmer in hand |
| Weight | 200g | 197g | Virtually identical weights; both feel similar in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | CMF Phone 1 has a slightly larger screen; might be better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | CMF Phone 1 has significantly sharper visuals with much more detail, great for reading and high quality videos |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 269 | 395 | CMF Phone 1's higher pixel density results in noticeably clearer text and images |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | CMF Phone 1 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better energy efficiency, especially with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | CMF Phone 1 provides a smoother scrolling and animation experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (Likely incorrect) | 2000 nits | CMF Phone 1 will be much better to use outdoors in bright sunlight. Moto G30 brightness data is likely incorrect. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) | CMF Phone 1's newer, more efficient chipset offers much faster processing and better battery management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 673,000 | CMF Phone 1 has drastically superior performance, leading to quicker app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G615 MC2 | CMF Phone 1's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.79 | Moto G30 has a higher megapixel count. CMF Phone 1 may capture more detailed images in low light due to its larger sensor |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.0, 1.00µm | CMF Phone 1 may capture better selfies in low light conditions due to wider aperture |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | Moto G30 can capture wider landscape shots, making it more versatile for some. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.3 | Both phones offer similar depth-sensing capabilities, CMF Phone 1 has a slightly better aperture |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Moto G30 can take close-up photos. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (with EIS) | CMF Phone 1 can record much higher resolution videos with smoother footage via EIS |
| Video Slow-Motion | 60 fps | 240 fps | CMF Phone 1 is capable of much slower slow-motion capture |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, PDAF, LAF, RAW | Noise reduction, 4K Video, Dual Camera, EIS, Continuous Autofocus | Moto G30 offers more flexibility with autofocus and RAW capture. CMF Phone 1 provides enhanced video recording capabilities and digital stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery size implies comparable battery life, assuming similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | CMF Phone 1 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Removable | No | No | Both have non-removable batteries. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | CMF Phone 1 offers a much newer operating system with more modern features and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | CMF Phone 1 offers faster WiFi speeds and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | CMF Phone 1 has a newer version of Bluetooth, with better power efficiency and improved audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | CMF Phone 1 provides a wider range of satellite support, potentially more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | CMF Phone 1 offers more storage space, particularly with its 256GB option. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB | CMF Phone 1 has more RAM, which helps with smoother performance when running multiple applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Basic audio | Both have basic audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have fingerprint sensors for basic security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | CMF Phone 1 has a compass that can be useful for navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Wide Angle and Macro Lens: Offers greater versatility in photography with wide angle and macro lenses, allowing for more creative shots.
- Phase detection & Laser Autofocus: More advanced autofocus features may result in quicker and more accurate focus in some scenarios
- RAW Capture: More control of image quality for editing
Lower Price: Likely available at a lower price point due to its older hardware.
- Practical Implication: More camera flexibility for users who frequently take wide-angle landscapes or close-up shots of small subjects.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and refresh rate offering a much better visual experience
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer, more powerful chipset for much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging reduces downtime significantly compared to Moto G30's 15W.
- Better Video Recording: Can record 4K videos with EIS, offers higher quality video capture and stabilization.
- Newer OS: Runs on Android 14 with longer software support compared to Motorola's Android 11 (upgradable to 12).
- More RAM/Storage options: Available with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage compared to 6GB/128GB in the Motorola.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports faster WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and more satellite navigation systems.
Noise Reduction: Better in low light camera performance, and cleaner audio.
- Practical Implication: Provides a smoother, more responsive user experience with better visual clarity and faster charging, along with better video quality.
Trade-offs:
- Camera Versatility vs. Image Quality: The Moto G30 has a wide-angle and macro lens, offering more flexibility, while the CMF Phone 1 aims for better quality and features like EIS and 4K video.
- Price vs. Performance: The Moto G30 is likely cheaper but offers substantially lower performance.
- Software: Moto G30 may be stuck on Android 12, CMF Phone 1 has Android 14 and a longer update cycle, making it more future-proof
- Storage: While Nothing offers better storage options, neither supports expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize camera flexibility over raw performance, and those who don't play a lot of mobile games.
- Use Cases: Casual photography, basic social media use, and users who prefer wide-angle and macro lenses. Good for users that are not too bothered about display quality.
- Price-to-Value: Offers decent value for the low price, but has a short lifespan due to its outdated processor.
Nothing CMF Phone 1:
- Ideal User: Users seeking a smooth, responsive experience, better display, and superior processing power. Mobile gamers, media consumers, and those who want long term support would enjoy this.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, media consumption, multitasking, and users wanting an all-around solid phone with modern features.
- Price-to-Value: Priced higher, but offers significant performance and feature upgrades, making it a great value for the price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? If the budget is extremely tight, the Moto G30 may be considered, though a used phone might be a better option. If you can spend a little more, the CMF Phone 1 provides much more for the price.
- How important is gaming and performance? If you plan on doing any mobile gaming or using resource-intensive apps, the CMF Phone 1's performance is a must.
- How important is display quality? If visual clarity and a smooth refresh rate are key, the CMF Phone 1 is much better suited.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, Tight Budget
- Recommendation: The Moto G30 may be suitable, though a used phone will generally be better value due to its outdated processor.
- Scenario 2: Mid-Range User, Budget-Conscious
- Recommendation: The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is the better option if you have a little more to spend. The significant performance and display upgrade is well worth the additional cost.
- Scenario 3: Power User, Media Enthusiast
- Recommendation: The CMF Phone 1 is the clear choice due to its superior performance, display, and video capabilities.
My Choice:
I would choose the Nothing CMF Phone 1. While the Moto G30 offers a slightly wider range of camera lenses, the CMF Phone 1 significantly surpasses it in almost every other area that impacts daily usage. The combination of a vastly superior display, a much more powerful processor, faster charging, and a more modern operating system makes it a much more enjoyable and long lasting phone. The enhanced video capabilities and better connectivity are also important upgrades that enhance the user experience. While it may cost more, the benefits are well worth the price.
