1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | Nord 4 is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable in hand and pocket. G30 is a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 200g | 199.5g | Virtually identical weight; negligible difference in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.74" | Nord 4 has a slightly larger screen, offering more screen real estate for media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1240x2772 | Nord 4 has a much sharper display, leading to crisper text, finer details, and a much more pleasant viewing experience. |
| PPI | 269 | 450 | Nord 4's higher pixel density makes images and text look sharper and clearer; G30 may appear somewhat pixelated in comparison. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Nord 4 has superior display with deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and better outdoor visibility. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Nord 4 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations compared to the G30. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | Nord 4 has drastically better outdoor visibility, making it much more usable in bright sunlight. The G30's 0 nits is a likely typo. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | Nord 4 has significantly more powerful chip, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 1,366,982 | Nord 4 has vastly superior performance; noticeably faster in daily use and demanding tasks. G30 might feel sluggish. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 732 | Nord 4 has a much more powerful GPU, resulting in significantly better gaming and graphics-intensive application performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 64.4MP, f/1.7, 0.70µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm pixel size | G30 boasts higher megapixel count but Nord 4 has larger pixel size & sensor, likely resulting in better low-light performance, especially given the sensor model difference (LYT-600). |
| Selfie | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm pixel size | Nord 4 has slightly higher resolution, G30's wider aperture allows more light, but the smaller pixel size may result in more noise. |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.14µm pixel size | Both are comparable, but Nord 4 has a slightly larger pixel size. |
| Portrait (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | None | G30 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, Nord 4 lacks this hardware. |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | None | G30 has a dedicated macro lens, Nord 4 lacks this hardware. |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 4K@60fps with EIS | Nord 4 offers significantly better video quality with 4K recording and EIS; G30's lack of EIS could result in shaky footage. |
| Camera Features | Quad, PDAF, LAF | Dual, OIS, EIS, PDAF | Nord 4 includes optical image stabilization for less blurry photos and videos. G30 has laser autofocus. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Nord 4 has a larger battery, likely leading to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Nord 4 charges dramatically faster, quickly topping up the battery; G30 is very slow by comparison. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | Nord 4 ships with much newer version of Android, getting more feature updates and security patches than G30. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | Nord 4 supports newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.4 | Nord 4 has a newer and more efficient Bluetooth version with support for higher-quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Nord 4 supports more satellite systems, offering better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256/512GB | Nord 4 offers larger storage options. No expandable storage on either phone. |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 8/12/16GB | Nord 4 has much more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and better handling of demanding apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Offers more flexibility in photography with dedicated lenses for macro and depth effects.
- Wider Aperture on Main Camera: f/1.7 aperture on the main camera may provide better light intake in some scenarios, though the sensor is older.
- Lower price: Likely much cheaper, providing basic functionality at a lower cost.
OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset offers drastically faster processing speeds, resulting in a smoother and more responsive experience.
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, brightness, and refresh rate provides a significantly better visual experience.
- Better Camera System: Larger pixel size, OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), and 4K video recording support result in much better quality.
- Faster Charging: 100W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 and will receive more updates, offering the latest features and security patches.
- More RAM & Storage: Offers larger RAM and internal storage options, better for multitasking and media storage.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster speeds and better audio quality.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G30 has a slight edge in aperture for main camera, macro and depth lenses, but loses out significantly in display and performance.
- The OnePlus Nord 4 lacks dedicated depth and macro sensors, which could be a loss for some photographers, but makes up for that with a better main camera and overall performance.
- The G30 is likely much cheaper than the Nord 4, representing a trade-off between budget and advanced features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola Moto G30:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a very affordable smartphone for basic tasks and casual use.
- Users Needing Dedicated Macro/Depth Cameras: Individuals who frequently use those specific photography features.
- Users with Basic Needs: People who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, browsing, and basic social media, and do not require high performance or top-tier display quality.
Ideal User for OnePlus Nord 4:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who need fast and smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Multimedia Lovers: Individuals who enjoy high-quality video and images, and want a vibrant display for media consumption.
- Frequent Photographers & Videographers: Users who prioritize a versatile camera system with good low-light performance and 4K recording capabilities.
- Power Users: Those who need a phone with fast charging, a large battery, and future-proof software.
Specific Use Cases:
- Moto G30: Suitable for basic day-to-day use such as calling, messaging, web browsing, social media, basic photography, and navigation. Can also work as a backup phone.
- OnePlus Nord 4: Ideal for graphic-intensive games, video editing, professional photography, consuming high-resolution videos, and intensive multitasking.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Moto G30 offers better value for budget-constrained users who need only basic functionality.
- The OnePlus Nord 4 offers a much better price-to-value ratio for users looking for better performance, camera quality, and a superior display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? Are you looking for the most affordable option or are you willing to invest more for better performance?
- What are your primary uses for the phone? Are you a casual user or someone who relies heavily on their phone for demanding tasks?
- How important is camera quality, display quality, and performance? Are you satisfied with basic functionality or do you require a more advanced smartphone experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs. If you need the cheapest possible phone and just want basic smartphone functionality, the Motorola Moto G30 is the more economical choice.
- Scenario 2: Balanced Performance & Price. If you want excellent overall performance, a great display, and a much better camera, and can afford a higher price, the OnePlus Nord 4 is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focus (Macro/Depth). If your photography needs heavily involve the macro and depth lenses and you're not concerned with advanced image processing, the Motorola Moto G30 may be worth considering, though the other specs are significantly lower.
My Choice
Based on a balanced view of the specifications and practical use, I would choose the OnePlus Nord 4.
Reasoning:
While the Motorola Moto G30 is likely much cheaper, the massive performance difference makes the OnePlus Nord 4 the much more desirable phone overall. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset is a massive leap forward in performance that will be noticeable daily in smooth multitasking, app loading, and gaming. The AMOLED display on the Nord 4 is also significantly superior, offering a dramatically better visual experience compared to the Moto G30's older IPS display. The camera system on the Nord 4 with OIS and 4K video recording is a much more capable system, providing higher-quality photos and videos overall, especially in low light, making it ideal for capturing any sort of memories. Finally, the significantly faster charging makes this phone much more usable throughout the day.
