Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G30 vs. Samsung Galaxy A54
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 158.2 × 76.7 × 8.2 mm | The Moto G30 is taller and thicker, making the A54 slightly more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 200g | 202g | Both phones are virtually identical in weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | Minimal difference in screen size, both offer a large screen experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | The A54 has a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images and a better experience for reading, viewing photos, and video. |
| PPI | 269 | 403 | A54 has a much sharper display with finer details. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The A54 has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The A54 will have smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness which suggests an incomplete spec. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | The A54 has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 578,600 | The A54 offers significantly better performance in all tasks, including gaming and app loading. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MP5 | The A54 has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The A54 charges its battery faster reducing waiting times. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64.4MP, f/1.7, 0.70µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00µm pixels, 1/1.56" sensor, Sony IMX766 | The Moto G30 has a higher resolution sensor, but the A54 has larger pixels and a larger sensor and a better sensor, generally leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm pixels, 1/2.8" sensor, Sony IMX616 | The A54 has a higher resolution selfie camera with a smaller pixel size and a bigger sensor which means it will perform better in good lighting, but may struggle in lower light. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels, 1/3.1" sensor, Samsung S5K3L6 | The A54 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens, resulting in more detailed wide-angle photos. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | Not Specified | The Moto G30 has a dedicated depth sensor while the A54 does not. This does not mean that the A54 does not have portrait mode capabilities, they are just achieved through software means. |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixels | The A54 has a higher-resolution macro lens, allowing for more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps; no stabilization | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | The A54 offers higher resolution and better video stabilization, making it better for videography. |
| DxOMark Score | Not tested | 107 (Mobile), 106 (Photo), 115 (Video) | The A54 has a significantly better camera performance based on its DxOMark Score. The Moto G30 has not been tested. |
| Features | Quad camera, PDAF, LAF, RAW | Triple camera, OIS, EIS, 4K video, Night Mode | The A54 has more advanced features including optical image stabilization, night mode and 4K video recording. The Moto G30 has some advanced features as well, but they are not necessarily as important and powerful as those in the A54. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 13 (upgradeable to 17) | The A54 has a more recent Android version, and is set to receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac, Dual Band | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Dual Band | The A54 has Wi-Fi 6 offering faster, more efficient connections and additional Wi-Fi features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 | The A54 has a newer Bluetooth version offering faster connection speeds, increased power efficiency, and improved security. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The A54 supports more satellite systems, improving GPS accuracy and reliability. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | The A54 offers both Dual SIM and eSIM support, for added flexibility when changing carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | The A54 has more internal storage, particularly in its higher-capacity model. |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 6/8GB | The A54 has more RAM, supporting smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The A54 has superior audio quality due to Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res support, and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer similar fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The A54 has superior screen protection from scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Hall, Geomagnetic | The A54 has a more comprehensive sensor suite including a compass, which is beneficial for GPS and orientation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The inclusion of a dedicated depth sensor gives it the ability to create a shallow depth of field in portrait photos, although software solutions such as on the A54 can achieve similar results.
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): Can offer better autofocus speed in some scenarios.
- Slightly Larger Screen Size: The screen on the Moto G30 is negligibly larger, but it has the potential to be useful to some users.
Samsung Galaxy A54 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with higher resolution and refresh rate offers a much better visual experience with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smoother animations.
- Much Better Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset provides significantly faster performance for all tasks, including gaming, multitasking, and app loading.
- Better Cameras: While the Moto G30 has a higher megapixel count on the main camera, the A54 has larger pixels, a larger sensor, and superior image processing, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Additionally, the inclusion of OIS results in less blurry photos, better low-light performance, and more stable video.
- Faster Charging: The 25W fast charging allows for shorter charging times.
- Better Video Recording: The A54 has the ability to record in 4K at 30fps with EIS, and higher slow-motion video framerates.
- Enhanced Connectivity: The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 offers the potential for faster speeds and more stable connections.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers provide a superior audio experience.
- Software Support: Newer Android version and more future updates.
- Additional Features: Includes a more advanced sensor suite, eSIM support, more internal storage, better screen protection and other software features.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G30 has a slightly larger screen, but this is not of a large significance.
- The A54 doesn't have a dedicated depth sensor, but it's not a significant loss, as the A54 makes up for this with software-based depth sensing.
- The A54 has a higher cost of purchase.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users looking for a basic smartphone with decent battery life and camera capabilities at a lower price point.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for browsing, social media, and basic photography.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who need a phone with a large battery for all day use.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing, reading articles, and listening to music.
- Basic photography in good lighting conditions.
- Long battery life for extended usage.
- As a backup device.
Samsung Galaxy A54 Ideal Users:
- Users Prioritizing Performance: Those who require smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and good gaming performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with good low-light performance.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos, streaming content, and listening to music.
- Future Proofing Users: Users who are looking for a phone with the latest features and support and want a device that will last for a long time.
Use Cases:
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Mobile gaming with smooth frame rates.
- Video streaming and content consumption.
- Multitasking between various applications.
- Professional users.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Moto G30 is a budget-friendly option, suitable for those who do not need the extra performance and features.
- The Galaxy A54 justifies its higher price with significantly better display, performance, camera, and overall user experience. Its price tag, however, could put off some users looking for cheaper options.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? Are you looking for the most affordable option or are you willing to spend more for premium features?
- How important is performance and gaming to you? Do you require a fast and responsive phone for demanding tasks or are basic tasks sufficient?
- How important is camera quality and versatility? Do you prioritize high-quality photos and videos, or is a basic camera sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User - If budget is the primary concern, and you only need a basic smartphone, the Motorola Moto G30 will be suitable for you.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media User - If you want smooth performance, a good display, and an advanced camera for photos, video, and gaming, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is a much better option.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast - If you prioritize camera quality, low-light performance, and image stabilization, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is the clear winner.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A54.
Reasoning:
While the Motorola Moto G30 is a decent phone for the budget-conscious, the Samsung Galaxy A54 offers a significantly superior experience in almost every aspect. The AMOLED display alone is a massive upgrade, providing a much more enjoyable visual experience. The A54's more powerful chipset ensures smooth multitasking and gaming, and its superior camera system allows me to capture better photos and videos. The improved connectivity, better build quality, faster charging and extra features all add up to a much more capable and versatile device. While it comes at a higher price point, the overall package of the A54 makes it a worthwhile investment for the features and performance that it provides.
