Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G30 vs. Samsung Galaxy A05
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a breakdown of the key specifications, comparing the Motorola Moto G30 and the Samsung Galaxy A05:
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm | 168.8 x 78.2 x 8.8 mm | A05 is taller and wider, G30 is thicker; A05 might feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 195g | A05 is slightly lighter; Difference likely not very noticeable. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | A05 offers a slightly larger viewing area; Suitable for media consumption and browsing. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 720 x 1600 | Both provide the same sharpness; Screen appears similar. |
| PPI | 269 | 262 | Marginal difference, will not affect the sharpness of the display in everyday use |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS is generally better with viewing angles and color accuracy, and it will lead to more vibrant colours |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | G30 offers smoother animations and scrolling experience, but only if the software supports it. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones are equal in this aspect |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | A05 has a newer chipset leading to improved performance; G30 is older |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 225,154 | A05 has a higher score and will be faster, noticeable in app loading and gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 | A05 will likely provide better performance in graphically intensive tasks, such as playing games |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP (f/1.7, 0.70 µm) | 50MP (f/1.8) | G30's higher resolution could capture more detail in good lighting; A05 will be good as well |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP (f/2.2, 1.12 µm) | 8MP (f/2.0) | G30 should take better selfies, with better details and clarity |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2, 1.12 µm) | No | G30 can capture more of a scene with its wide-angle lens, giving the user more flexability when taking photos |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP (f/2.4, 1.75 µm) | 2MP (f/2.4) | Both should have a similar quality portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4, 1.75 µm) | No | G30 can take close-up shots of small objects |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps; Slow-mo: Yes, 60fps | 1080p@30/60fps; Slow-mo: No, 30fps | Both offer similar standard video, G30 will have smoother slow-motion videos |
| Camera Features | Quad camera, PDAF, LAF, Continuous, RAW | Dual camera | G30 offers a lot more camera features than the A05 |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both provide all-day battery life for moderate usage; Exact endurance will depend on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | A05 will recharge its battery significantly faster, reducing time plugged into the wall. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 13 | A05 ships with a newer OS, which can mean better features, security, and longer software support; G30 has a more outdated Android version |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Both support modern WiFi standards; A05 also supports Wifi Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP | 5.3 LE, A2DP | A05 has a newer Bluetooth version with better efficiency |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A05 supports more satellite systems, which can improve location accuracy. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both offer enough storage for standard use, unless lots of media is stored locally |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB | Both are good for moderate multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | Users who store a lot of media might need to use cloud storage |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Similar audio quality on both devices |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | G30 provides easy and secure unlock with the fingerprint sensor |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer | G30 has more sensors for better motion sensing and added biometric security |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid visual experience.
- Superior Display Technology: IPS LCD provides better viewing angles and colours.
- More Camera Features: Includes a wide-angle and macro lens, along with advanced features such as PDAF and laser autofocus, for more flexibility.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides convenient and secure biometric unlocking.
- Gyroscope: Enables more precise motion-based apps and games.
- Better Selfie Camera: 13MP vs 8MP on the A05 means more detailed and clear selfies can be taken
Samsung Galaxy A05 Advantages:
- Newer Chipset and Better Performance: The Helio G85 offers better overall performance and gaming capabilities
- Faster Charging: 25W charging significantly reduces the time required to charge the device.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with a newer version of Android, potentially ensuring longer software updates and access to newer features.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Provides better performance and efficiency for Bluetooth connections.
- More Accurate GPS: The A05 includes more satellites in its GPS capabilities, providing more accurate position data
Trade-offs:
- Moto G30: Older chipset and a more outdated operating system and slow charging compared to the A05.
- Samsung A05: Loses the wide-angle lens and macro lens, and has a basic security system, while also having the older screen technology and refresh rate.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30 is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize a smoother display and better camera capabilities.
- Those who prefer a physical fingerprint sensor for unlocking.
- Users who like having a wide-angle lens for more variety in shots
- Those who prefer better selfie camera quality
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G30:
- Casual photography and social media sharing, utilising the multiple camera lenses.
- Basic gaming that don't require intense graphics.
- Daily usage requiring fluid scrolling and navigation due to the 90Hz refresh rate.
Samsung Galaxy A05 is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize performance and a snappier user experience, especially for basic gaming and multitasking.
- Users who prefer faster battery charging.
- Those looking for a more future-proof device with a newer Android OS.
- Those who want the most accurate GPS
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A05:
- Daily app use and multitasking, running social media apps smoothly.
- Users needing quick battery top-ups.
- Navigation and location-based services that benefit from more accurate GPS.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The A05 is a newer phone, and depending on the market, it could be more expensive, however with its improvements in the processor, charging speed and software, it would be a better value purchase. If both phones have similar pricing, the A05 would be a much better value purchase.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers:
- How important is display smoothness and camera flexibility? If these are crucial, the Moto G30 is the better choice.
- How important are performance and fast charging? If these are priorities, the Samsung Galaxy A05 will perform better.
- Is having the newest OS and security updates a high priority? If so, the Samsung Galaxy A05 is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user focused on camera: The Motorola Moto G30 is the better pick, given its extra camera lenses, but it depends on how much that camera quality is wanted.
- Scenario 2: User focused on day-to-day speed and performance: The Samsung Galaxy A05 offers the improved chipset, making it better for everyday tasks and light gaming.
- Scenario 3: Long-term usage, future-proofing: The Samsung Galaxy A05, with its newer OS, and charging speed will ensure a better user experience for a longer period of time.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A05. While the Motorola Moto G30 offers a smoother display and better camera features, the A05's superior chipset performance, faster charging, newer operating system, and more accurate GPS are more compelling for my everyday needs. I value a responsive and longer-lasting device with modern software, and the A05 delivers that, even though the display won't be as smooth as the Moto G30.
