1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mm | Virtually identical size; negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 200g | 195g | Samsung is slightly lighter, potentially noticeable with prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Identical screen size, no difference in viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Similar sharpness; not the crispest, but suitable for daily use. |
| PPI | 269 | 270 | Almost identical pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS LCD typically offers slightly better viewing angles and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both provide smoother scrolling and animations than standard 60Hz screens. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones will have similar readability under identical bright light conditions (although they have different panels) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 662 generally provides better overall performance for apps and gaming. The 8nm of the Samsung chipset is more power efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 117,300 | Motorola will feel noticeably faster in everyday use and with demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 is generally more capable for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) | 64.4MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Motorola captures more detailed images with a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie | 13MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Motorola captures significantly more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Motorola offers an ultrawide lens for capturing more in a scene. |
| Depth | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensors, will perform comparably. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro sensors, will perform comparably. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, Slow-motion 60 fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion 34 fps | Motorola offers smoother 60fps recording and better slow-motion. |
| Features | Quad camera, PDAF, LAF, RAW | Triple camera, PDAF | Motorola provides a more feature-rich camera experience with Laser AF and RAW capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar all-day battery life with moderate use. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 15W fast charging | Both support identical charging speeds, which is adequate. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Samsung offers a more modern OS out of the box with a longer upgrade path. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Similar Wi-Fi capabilities; Motorola includes dual-band support, while Samsung has Wi-Fi Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP | 5.0 LE, A2DP | Identical Bluetooth features for audio streaming and low-energy connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Samsung supports more satellite systems, potentially offering slightly better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support using two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 32/64/128 GB | Both offer a 128GB max variant but Samsung has a 32 GB option that's suitable for light users. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 3/4 GB | Motorola, with up to 6GB RAM, will be better for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both phones have basic audio features, no significant difference |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted sensors are generally considered more convenient to access. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Motorola adds a gyroscope sensor while Samsung provides an ultrasonic proximity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 662 chipset and higher AnTuTu score mean smoother app loading, better multitasking, and a more fluid overall experience, especially for more demanding tasks.
- Better Cameras: The 64MP main camera, 13MP selfie camera, and inclusion of a wide-angle lens provide more versatility and detail for photos and videos. Laser autofocus adds extra speed and accuracy.
- More RAM: Up to 6GB of RAM means better multitasking and performance when using several applications at once.
- Gyroscope: Includes a gyroscope sensor useful for advanced motion sensing in certain applications and games
Samsung Galaxy A04s Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12 and has a longer upgrade path, potentially receiving newer features and security patches longer.
- Potentially better GPS: Supports more satellite systems (Beidou, QZSS) which might result in more accurate and reliable location tracking.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient placement for many users.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: Potentially better handling of proximity and ambient light adjustments
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G30 sacrifices a newer OS and expanded GPS capabilities for better performance, cameras, and RAM
- The Samsung Galaxy A04s prioritizes newer software and more precise GPS with side-mounted FP at the expense of raw performance and a versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30:
- Ideal Users: Users who prioritize performance, gaming, and photography in an affordable phone. Good for users who multitask often, enjoy capturing photos and videos, and value having smoother overall operation.
- Use Cases:
- Social media users who frequently post photos and videos.
- Casual gamers who want a playable experience.
- Users who often have several apps open simultaneously.
- Anyone who values a smooth and responsive experience.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a good price-to-performance ratio for users looking for a balance of features at an affordable price point.
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Ideal Users: Users who prioritize newer software, basic smartphone functionality, and GPS location capabilities. Good for users who want a stable, reliable experience for basic tasks, or those who rely heavily on precise location data.
- Use Cases:
- Basic smartphone users who don't need heavy processing power.
- Users who rely heavily on maps and location-based apps.
- Users who want the latest version of Android and longer software support.
- Those looking for a reliable phone for communication and everyday use.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a good price for users seeking a more up to date software experience with the convenience of side fingerprint reader.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and gaming to you? If performance and gaming are priorities, the Motorola G30 with its faster processor and GPU is the clear choice.
- How important is having the latest Android software and extended software support? If having the latest software and potentially longer support matters, the Samsung A04s is better.
- How important is camera versatility and quality? The Motorola offers much greater versatility thanks to its wide lens, more megapixel main and selfie cameras, and laser autofocus.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I want the smoothest possible experience for daily apps and basic gaming": Motorola Moto G30 is the better choice due to its superior processor, GPU, and higher RAM options.
- Scenario 2: "I want a phone that will last longer with software updates": Samsung Galaxy A04s is the better option since it starts with a more recent Android version and has more update support.
- Scenario 3: "I take a lot of photos and videos": Motorola Moto G30 wins due to its better main, selfie, and ultrawide camera.
- Scenario 4: "I mainly use my phone for communication, browsing, and maps": Either phone is suitable, but the Samsung Galaxy A04s might be slightly better because of its more accurate GPS, and is overall cheaper due to the availability of the 32GB variant.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would personally pick the Motorola Moto G30. Although the Samsung A04s has a more recent Android version and potentially more accurate GPS, I value the performance boost that the Snapdragon 662 offers alongside a more capable camera system for better picture quality. As an Android user, the benefits of a more modern version of the OS are outshined by the smoother overall experience and photo versatility that the G30 provides. The side-mounted fingerprint reader is a nice addition to the A04s but it is not enough to sway the decision.
