1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a breakdown of the specifications, focusing on real-world impact:
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | G30 is slightly thicker, A72 wider; both have similar overall size. G30 might feel slightly bulkier, A72 might be slightly less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 200g | 203g | Both feel similar in hand. Difference is negligible. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | A72's slightly larger screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming, but is marginal. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | A72's higher resolution results in noticeably sharper text, images, and videos; less pixelation and better clarity. |
| PPI | 269 | 394 | A72's higher pixel density provides a crisper image; individual pixels are harder to see. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | A72's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors leading to better overall image quality; also potentially better battery life with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations; a better experience compared to standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | A72 has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight; G30's brightness is not specified, making it unsuitable for sunny environments. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | A72's more powerful chipset delivers faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance, and is also slightly more power-efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 285,000 | A72 demonstrates significantly better performance, leading to a smoother overall user experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 | A72's stronger GPU translates to better graphics performance in gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64.4MP, f/1.7, 0.70µm pixels | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm pixels | Both offer good quality photos, the G30 has a slightly wider aperture, and the A72 has slightly larger pixels, meaning minor differences in low light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm pixels | A72 offers optical zoom for detailed close-ups without digital zoom artifacts. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm pixels | A72 produces much higher resolution selfies, meaning a higher level of detail for social media and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | A72's higher resolution wide-angle lens captures more detail in group shots and landscapes. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | None | G30's depth sensor provides a dedicated portrait mode for background blur effects, however A72 may rely on software-based portrait mode, which may be less effective. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixels | A72’s higher-resolution macro lens provides finer details in close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | A72 supports higher resolution video recording with stabilization, offering greater clarity and more stable footage; G30 has no EIS. |
| DXOMark | Not Available | 92 (Mobile), 100 (Photo), 78 (Video) | A72's camera performance is officially rated, indicating better overall image and video quality than the G30, which has no DXOMark score. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life; expect all-day usage for most users, but this can vary depending on use case. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | A72 charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime waiting for the device to fully charge. |
Software and Other Features
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Both have the same OS version and upgradeability, no practical difference here |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, dual-band | 802.11ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Display | A72 has Wi-Fi Display which allows wireless streaming to a compatible display |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.0, broader profile support | A72 has wider Bluetooth profile support that might be useful for specific accessories |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A72 has a more comprehensive suite of GPS systems (including Beidou) which might lead to more accurate location positioning in some areas, G30 includes SUPL which can aid in GPS lock speed |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | A72 offers better sound with Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers, more immersive for media consumption and music. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB or 256GB | A72 offers 256GB option which is valuable for those storing large media libraries; both come in 128GB configuration |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 6GB or 8GB | A72 has more RAM options that lead to better multitasking, and are more resistant to slowing down as more apps are used. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expansion through microSD cards. |
| Security | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensors are a fundamental security feature, no practical difference. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | A72 has more sensors, including a compass, that are helpful for certain apps and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Wider Main Camera Aperture: The f/1.7 aperture might offer slightly better low-light performance, though the pixel size is smaller.
- Dedicated Depth Camera: The Moto G30 has a dedicated depth camera that might offer better portrait mode capabilities than a software solution
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): LAF offers fast and reliable focusing, especially in low-light conditions.
- RAW Photo Support: The G30 offers RAW image capture, useful for advanced photographers that like to post-process pictures.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher resolution, and higher brightness provide a much better viewing experience.
- Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 720G and Adreno 618 deliver significantly better app loading, multitasking, and gaming capabilities.
- Better Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a higher-resolution selfie camera, and generally better image quality as reflected by the DXOMark score.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging means less time waiting for the device to fully charge.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support offer a more immersive audio experience.
- Higher RAM and Storage Options: Higher RAM options allows for better multitasking and 256GB storage is offered which is better for those with large media libraries.
- Comprehensive Connectivity: Includes Wi-Fi Display and more Bluetooth profiles which may be useful for some users.
Additional Sensors: Compass is often important in games and location based services.
Trade-offs:
Motorola G30: Sacrifices display quality, performance, and overall camera capabilities for a potentially lower price. The lower end features are not competitive with the A72 in any area other than the dedicated portrait mode and wider aperture in the main camera.
- Samsung A72: Comes at a higher price point, but delivers significantly better performance in nearly all other aspects.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life over performance, screen quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Basic tasks, daily communication, browsing, media consumption in well-lit areas, and basic photography.
- Price-to-Value: Good for users who need an adequate daily phone with an adequate main camera for a lower price point.
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users who value a high-quality display, good performance, a versatile camera system, and are willing to pay a premium for these features.
- Use Cases: Gaming, content creation, high-quality media consumption, mobile photography, professional use, and situations where screen visibility in bright sunlight is required.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent features and performance for the price.
4. Decision Framework
Here are some key questions buyers should consider:
- What is your budget? The A72 is the more expensive device.
- How important is display quality? If a bright, sharp, vibrant display is essential, the A72 is the clear choice.
- What is your typical use case? If you need performance and a versatile camera, the A72 is better. For basic use, the G30 is adequate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If budget is the most significant factor, and performance is not critical, the Motorola Moto G30 is a viable choice as long as you are comfortable with a basic display and camera.
- Media Enthusiast: For users who consume a lot of video content and care about display quality, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is much better.
- Photography Lover: The Samsung Galaxy A72, with its telephoto lens, better selfie camera, and better overall camera system is better equipped for photography.
- Gamer: For mobile gamers, the Samsung Galaxy A72, offers better GPU and overall performance and better smoothness with its faster processor and larger RAM.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. While it comes at a higher price point, the significantly better display, faster performance, more versatile camera system, enhanced audio, and faster charging justify the additional cost. The AMOLED display alone is a game-changer for media consumption, and the overall user experience is considerably more refined and pleasant with the A72. The G30 feels like a budget option, while the A72 feels like a complete package. While the G30 has a wider aperture in its main camera and dedicated depth sensor, the lack of stabilization in video and lower-performing image quality overall makes it a no-go for anyone serious about mobile photography. The performance difference is also too substantial to overlook, and for these reasons, the A72 is the clear winner.
