Motorola Moto G30 vs Samsung Galaxy A03s - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 17, 2021 August 18, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 113.8 cm³ 113.41 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.25 "/g 3.32 "/g
Weight 200 g 196 g
Height 165.2 mm 164.2 mm
Width 75.7 mm 75.9 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 9.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Phantom Black (Dark Pearl)
  • Pastel Sky
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 81.8 %
Pixel Density 269 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.94 mAh/cm³ 44.09 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Adreno 610 PowerVR GE8320

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 11
Maximum OS Version 12 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G30 and Samsung Galaxy A03s, focusing on practical implications:

Design

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A03sPractical Impact
Dimensions165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mmNegligible size difference, both phones will feel similar in hand.
Weight200g196gMinimal weight difference, both feel similarly weighted.
BuildNot SpecifiedNot SpecifiedUnknown, both likely have a plastic build.

Display

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A03sPractical Impact
Size6.5"6.5"Identical screen size, both offer a similar viewing area.
Resolution720x1600720x1600Both have the same screen detail.
PPI269270Practically the same pixel density, resulting in similar sharpness.
TechnologyIPS LCDPLS LCDMotorola's IPS display will likely offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles than the PLS LCD of the Samsung.
Refresh Rate90Hz60HzMotorola's 90Hz display will feel smoother when scrolling, navigating menus, and playing supported games.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBrightness is not specified, so we cannot determine if either performs better in sunlight.

Performance

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A03sPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Mediatek Helio P35 (12 nm)Snapdragon 662 offers better overall performance, faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
AnTuTu Score170,968117,049The G30’s significantly higher score translates into better gaming, quicker app launches, and more fluid operation.
GPUAdreno 610PowerVR GE8320The Adreno 610 provides better graphics processing for gaming and GPU-intensive applications.

Camera

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A03sPractical Impact
Standard Camera64MP, f/1.713MP, f/2.2Motorola’s higher resolution captures more detail; wider aperture helps in low light.
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.25MP, f/2.0Motorola’s higher resolution will likely yield better selfies; Samsung's slightly wider aperture may offer marginal advantage in low light
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.2NoneMotorola offers wider perspective shots for landscapes or group photos.
Portrait Lens2MP, f/2.4NoneMotorola can create more sophisticated bokeh effects for portraits.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.3Both offer similar macro shooting capabilities for close-up shots of small objects.
Video RecordingUp to 1080p@60fps; Slow-motion 60fpsUp to 1080p@30fps; No slow-motionMotorola's video has better frame rate and slow-motion for better recording options.
FeaturesQuadruple camera, PDAF, LAF, RAWTriple cameraMotorola offers more advanced focusing systems and RAW image capture for better control over photo editing.

Battery

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A03sPractical Impact
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhSimilar battery capacity suggests both will have comparable battery life.
Charging15W Fast ChargingStandard ChargingMotorola charges faster, reducing downtime.
Battery TypeNon-removableNon-removableNeither allows for user replacement of the battery.

Software

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A03sPractical Impact
OSAndroid 11, Upgradable to 12Android 11, Upgradable to 12Both offer a similar core Android experience.

Connectivity

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A03sPractical Impact
WiFi802.11a/b/g/n/ac802.11b/g/nMotorola supports faster 5GHz WiFi and ac standards, potentially providing faster data speeds.
Bluetooth5.0 LE5.0 LESimilar for connecting to wireless devices.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASSMotorola offers slightly better location accuracy due to the support of more satellite systems.
SIMDual Nano SIMDual Nano SIMBoth can use two SIMs simultaneously.

Storage

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A03sPractical Impact
Internal64GB/128GB32GB/64GBMotorola has 64 GB larger storage option for more photos, videos and apps.
RAM4GB/6GB3GB/4GBMotorola can handle more multitasking with 2 GB more RAM.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone offers expandable storage.

Other

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A03sPractical Impact
Audio QualityBasicBasicSimilar audio quality is expected from both.
SecurityRear Fingerprint SensorSide Fingerprint SensorSide-mounted sensors can be more ergonomically placed. Both provide basic fingerprint sensor functionality.
SensorsAccelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, FingerprintAccelerometer, Proximity, FingerprintMotorola has a Gyroscope for more advanced motion sensing capabilities.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 662 chipset and higher AnTuTu score result in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
  • Better Display: The 90Hz IPS LCD screen offers smoother scrolling and better visual quality than the 60Hz PLS LCD screen.
  • Enhanced Camera System: Offers higher resolution main and front cameras, a wide-angle lens, a dedicated depth sensor, advanced focusing (PDAF, LAF), RAW capture, and better video recording capabilities.
  • Faster Charging: 15W fast charging allows for faster battery refills.
  • More Storage and RAM: 128 GB storage option with up to 6 GB of RAM for better app handling.
  • Better Connectivity: Supports faster Wi-Fi standards.
  • Gyroscope Sensor: Includes a gyroscope, which is beneficial for gaming and some motion-sensing apps.

Samsung Galaxy A03s Advantages:

  • Slightly Lighter: The 4g weight difference is negligible, making the phone slightly lighter.
  • Side Fingerprint Sensor: The sensor is more conveniently placed on the side of the device, though this is subjective.
  • Wider Selfie Camera Aperture: The slightly wider aperture on the front camera may perform marginally better in low-light conditions, though the resolution is lower.

Trade-offs:

  • Motorola G30: Lacks expandable storage and is slightly heavier. It may have a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor that some users find less convenient.
  • Samsung A03s: Offers significantly weaker performance, a lower-quality display, and a less versatile camera system. Lacks fast charging and some advanced sensors.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G30 Ideal User:

  • Budget-conscious users seeking good performance.
  • Casual gamers: Will benefit from the better chipset and smoother display.
  • Photography enthusiasts: Will appreciate the more versatile camera system with additional lenses and RAW capability.
  • Users who multitask: The extra RAM allows for better app handling.
  • Users who value screen quality: Will enjoy the 90Hz IPS display and higher resolution.
  • Users who value connectivity: Will appreciate faster WiFi.

Use Cases:

  • Playing casual games.
  • Capturing photos in various scenarios.
  • Multitasking between social media apps, web browsing and email.
  • Watching videos and enjoying smoother scrolling.
  • Using navigation apps that benefit from the gyroscope.

Samsung Galaxy A03s Ideal User:

  • Basic users on a tight budget.
  • Users primarily focused on basic tasks: Calling, texting, and light social media use.
  • Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
  • Users who don't need high-performance and photography capabilities.

Use Cases:

  • Basic communication and light social media.
  • Simple web browsing and media consumption.
  • Using a phone as a secondary device.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? If budget is the primary concern, the Samsung A03s may be the only option, if available at a significant discount.
  2. What tasks do you perform most on your phone? If you play games, take photos, or multitask often, the G30 is better suited.
  3. Do you prioritize a smoother display and faster performance, or basic usage and budget savings? The Moto G30 offers significant advantages in display and performance if those are important.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If cost is the most important factor, and you only need basic functionality, the Samsung A03s is acceptable, but be aware of the trade-offs in performance and camera.
  • Scenario 2: Performance Prioritized: If you need smoother performance for daily tasks, some gaming, and a better camera, the Motorola Moto G30 is a much better choice, even if slightly more expensive.
  • Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If camera quality and versatility are important, the Motorola Moto G30 is the clear winner due to its better sensors, additional lenses, and features like RAW capture.

My Choice and Why

Given the detailed analysis, I would choose the Motorola Moto G30 for several reasons. While it might have a slightly higher price point (depending on the region and offers), the advantages it brings are significant for most users:

  • Performance: The Snapdragon 662 chipset in the G30 is noticeably faster, translating to a smoother user experience.
  • Display Quality: The 90Hz IPS LCD provides a more enjoyable visual experience, especially for scrolling and multimedia.
  • Camera Versatility: The extra lenses (wide-angle, macro, and depth) along with PDAF and LAF, make the G30 a more capable camera phone. The ability to shoot in RAW format is a valuable feature for photography enthusiasts.
  • Future-Proofing: The slightly better chipset and additional RAM will make the phone feel less dated over time.
  • Faster Charging: The 15W fast charging allows for more quickly topping off the battery.

While the Samsung Galaxy A03s is a more budget-friendly option, the compromises in performance, display, and camera are significant. For most users, the added benefits of the Motorola Moto G30 outweigh the slight increase in cost, providing a better user experience overall. The side fingerprint sensor and very slightly lighter weight of the A03s are not enough to overcome the much better performance and features of the Moto G30.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.