Motorola Moto G30 vs Samsung Galaxy A15 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 17, 2021 December 16, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 113.8 cm³ 103.28 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.25 "/g 3.25 "/g
Weight 200 g 200 g
Height 165.2 mm 160.1 mm
Width 75.7 mm 76.8 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Phantom Black (Dark Pearl)
  • Pastel Sky
  • Brave Black
  • Optimistic Blue
  • Magical Blue
  • Personality Yellow

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 269 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 800 nits
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 48.41 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 610 Mali-G57 MC2

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 14
Maximum OS Version 12 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Samsung Galaxy A15Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mmMoto G30 is taller and thicker, while A15 is wider. A15 may feel slightly more compact.
Weight200g200gBoth are identical; feel similar in hand.
Display
Size6.5"6.5"Identical screen size; viewing area is same.
Resolution720 x 16001080 x 2340A15 is significantly sharper; text and images will be clearer.
Pixel Density (PPI)269396A15 offers a noticeably more detailed display.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDA15 has deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, better contrast, and is more energy efficient in dark mode.
Refresh Rate90Hz90HzBoth provide smooth scrolling and animation.
Brightness0 nits800 nitsA15 is much brighter, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm)MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm)A15 has a newer and more efficient chipset leading to snappier performance.
AnTuTu Score170,968442,500A15 is significantly faster; better for gaming and multitasking.
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G57 MC2A15 offers better graphics performance for gaming.
Camera
Rear Camera (Standard)64MP, f/1.750MP, f/1.8Moto G30 captures more detailed images in good lighting, A15 has better low light performance.
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.213MP, f/2.0A15 has a slightly better aperture for brighter selfies.
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.25MP, f/2.2Moto G30 captures wider scenes with more detail.
Portrait Mode (Depth)2MP, f/2.4Not AvailableMoto G30 can take portrait photos with a blurred background using a depth sensor.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Both offer similar macro capabilities for close-up shots.
Video1080p@30fps/60fps, slow-motion 60fps1080p@30fps, slow-motion 240fpsA15 can record smoother slow-motion videos.
Camera FeaturesQuad, PDAF, LAF, RAWTriple, Digital Image Stabilization, Manual FocusMoto G30 features additional auto focus systems and RAW capture, A15 has additional image stabilization and manual focus
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth have similar battery life.
Charging15W25WA15 charges faster, reducing downtime.
Battery TypeLi-IonLi-PolymerMinor difference in battery chemistry, Li-Polymer is generally slightly more durable.
Software
OSAndroid 11 (upgradable to 12)Android 14 (upgradable to 17)A15 has a more recent and future-proof OS version.
Connectivity
WiFi802.11ac, dual-band802.11ac, dual-band, WiFi DisplayA15 offers screen mirroring.
Bluetooth5.0 LE5.2 LEA15 has a more up-to-date Bluetooth version.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoA15 has more satellite system support, for better location accuracy.
SIMDual SIM Dual StandbyDual SIM Dual StandbyBoth support dual SIM functionality.
Storage
Internal64GB/128GB128GB/256GBA15 offers more storage options.
RAM4GB/6GB4GB/6GB/8GBA15 has an additional 8GB option for heavy multitasking.
ExpandableNoNoNeither offers expandable storage.
Audio
FeaturesBasic2 microphonesA15 has slightly better audio capture due to dual microphones.
Security
Fingerprint SensorRear-mountedSide-mountedA15 has a more convenient side-mounted sensor.
Sensors
SensorsAccelerometer, Gyroscope, ProximityAccelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic ProximitySimilar sensor configuration with minor difference in proximity sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:

  • Higher Resolution Main Camera: 64MP main camera captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions.
  • Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers portrait mode with a dedicated depth sensor for better blur effects.
  • Wider Angle Lens: Capture wider scenes than the A15.
  • Phase Detection and Laser Autofocus: Potentially faster and more reliable focusing in some scenarios.
  • RAW Photo Capture: More editing options in post-processing

Samsung Galaxy A15 Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED panel with significantly better resolution, brightness, contrast, and color reproduction.
  • Faster Performance: The Helio G99 chipset offers significantly better performance for smoother multitasking and gaming.
  • Faster Charging: 25W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • Newer OS: Comes with Android 14 and is slated to receive more future OS updates.
  • Better Bluetooth: Uses Bluetooth 5.2, potentially offering better connectivity with newer accessories
  • More Storage Options: 256GB model available, catering to users who need extra storage.
  • More RAM Options: The 8GB RAM variant gives smoother experience when running multiple heavy apps.
  • Better Slow Motion Video: records at 240 fps vs 60fps for smoother slow motion.
  • Digital Image Stabilization and Manual Focus: Offers additional camera features for video and photo.
  • Better Audio capture: 2 microphones for better voice capture

Practical Implications:

  • The Moto G30 is more focused on photography due to the additional sensors and features, while the A15 balances performance and multimedia experience with its superior display and speed.
  • The A15 is generally a more modern device with a faster processor, better screen and faster charging, making it better for overall usage.

Trade-offs:

  • The Moto G30 excels in camera features, particularly in terms of autofocus and RAW capture, but has an older OS and display.
  • The Samsung A15 has a slightly lower main camera resolution but offers superior display technology, better performance, and a more up-to-date OS.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G30:

  • Budget-Conscious Photographers: Users who prioritize camera features, particularly depth sensing for portraits and prefer additional auto focus options.
  • Users Focused on Photo Capture: Users who value detail, wide-angle shots, and the ability to shoot RAW photos.
  • Users with less demanding gaming/performance needs

Use Cases for Motorola Moto G30:

  • Everyday photography with the need for detailed images, including portrait shots with blurred backgrounds.
  • Users who want to edit photos in detail using RAW files.
  • Users on a strict budget who want a phone with a decent camera system.

Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A15:

  • Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize display quality for watching videos, browsing social media, and playing games.
  • Gamers: Users who value smoother performance for gaming and multitasking.
  • Users Who Value Fast Charging: Users who want quick battery top-ups.
  • Users Who Want A Modern OS: Users who prefer having the latest version of Android with future updates.
  • Users Who Want more RAM options
  • Users Who want better audio capture

Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A15:

  • Watching videos and movies in vibrant color with great contrast.
  • Playing graphics-intensive games smoothly.
  • General everyday use including social media browsing and running multiple apps.
  • Users who prefer the convenience of fast charging.
  • Users who value an up-to-date and future-proof OS experience.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Moto G30 is likely to be priced lower due to its age, but may not offer good value compared to the Samsung A15 due to its outdated OS.
  • The Samsung A15 offers superior performance and overall user experience for its price, especially with its display and speed, with a slightly higher price tag.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What do I prioritize: Camera features or Display quality and Speed? If the camera is more important, the Moto G30 has features like RAW capture, and PDAF. If a good display, performance, and fast charging is more important, the A15 is a better pick.
  2. Do I need a modern and future-proof OS? The A15 comes with a newer version of Android and is set to receive more OS updates. The Moto G30 is stuck with an older version of Android.
  3. Is fast charging or the ability to record slow motion videos important to me? The Samsung A15 has faster charging and smoother slow motion capture at 240fps compared to 60fps.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • For Budget Photographers: If a good camera system at a lower price is a priority, the Moto G30 might be sufficient, but it may not be as good long term value as the Samsung A15.
  • For Multimedia and Gaming: The Samsung Galaxy A15 is the clear choice for the superior AMOLED display, faster performance, and better charging speed.
  • For General Use: The Samsung Galaxy A15 is the better all-around option due to its superior display, faster performance, and modern software.

What I would Choose and Why

Based on the detailed comparison, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A15.

Here's why:

  • Superior Display: The AMOLED display is a significant upgrade, offering a much better viewing experience for daily use, multimedia consumption, and gaming. The increase in brightness is also a big deal for outdoor usage. This improves the quality of every interaction with the phone.
  • Enhanced Performance: The Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides significantly better performance, making the phone feel much snappier and more responsive. This is a big deal for multitasking and gaming.
  • Faster Charging: The 25W fast charging capability is a huge advantage for convenience and cuts down on charging time.
  • Modern OS: Running Android 14 and slated for future updates is important for long-term usability and access to new features.
  • Better Bluetooth and Location Accuracy: Newer Bluetooth and more satellite systems provides better connectivity for accessories and better location tracking, a plus for navigation and general usage.
  • Dual Microphones: Offer better audio capture especially when video recording
  • Side Mounted Fingerprint Reader: Is much more convenient compared to a rear mounted one.
  • More RAM Option: The 8GB RAM configuration allows for smoother performance while multitasking.
  • Better Slow Motion Video Recording: Offers higher fps in slow motion video.

While the Motorola Moto G30 has some advantages in terms of camera features (like the dedicated depth sensor and higher resolution main camera), the benefits of the A15's display, performance, and more modern OS outweigh those advantages in my opinion. The overall user experience on the Samsung Galaxy A15 would be far better for most people. The Samsung A15 is a more well-rounded phone for a better daily experience. The slightly higher price is justified by these benefits, in my opinion.

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.