1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-03-17 | 2024-01-24 | S24+ is significantly newer, potentially with more software updates and modern features |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable or special design considerations |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm | 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm | Moto G30 is taller and thicker; S24+ is more pocketable, may be slightly more comfortable to hold |
| Weight | 200g | 196g | Both are virtually the same weight, no significant difference in hand feel |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | S24+ offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1440 x 3120 | S24+ has a much sharper display; text, images, and videos will appear clearer and more detailed |
| Pixel Density | 269 ppi | 513 ppi | S24+ has considerably higher pixel density, leading to a crisper and more detailed display |
| Technology | IPS LCD | Missing Spec | Moto G30 uses an LCD panel; S24+ display technology is not provided. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24+ provides smoother scrolling, animations and transitions |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24+ is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in bright sunlight |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24+ has a much more powerful and energy-efficient chipset for significantly better performance and future proofing |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 1,639,695 | S24+ offers dramatically superior performance, for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) / Xclipse 940 | S24+ GPU is significantly more powerful, for higher fidelity gaming and GPU intensive applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, likely providing comparable battery life |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 45W fast charging | S24+ charges much faster, allowing for quicker top-ups |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Non-removable, 15W Wireless Charging, 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging | S24+ offers more battery features, including faster wireless charging and reverse charging options. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 64.4MP, f/1.7, 0.70µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.00µm pixels (Samsung GN3) | Moto G30 has a higher resolution sensor, while the S24+ has a larger sensor, better low-light performance and dynamic range is expected in S24+ |
| Selfie | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 12MP, f/2.2, Missing Pixel Size, Samsung S5K3LU | Moto G30 has slightly higher resolution, the S24+ has a unknown pixel size. |
| Telephoto | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.00µm pixels (Samsung S5K3K1) | S24+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm pixels (Sony IMX564) | S24+ wide-angle has more resolution, larger sensor, and bigger pixels, offering superior wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | None | Moto G30 has dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | None | Moto G30 has a dedicated macro lens, useful for close-up shots |
| Video Recording | Up to 1080p@60fps; No stabilization | Up to 8K@30fps, with EIS, Stereo Sound; Yes stabilization | S24+ can record higher quality videos with better stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, LAF | Night Mode 2.0, Optical Zoom, Triple Camera, Digital Image Stabilisation, OIS | S24+ offers more advanced photography features compared to G30 |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages
- Lower Price: The Moto G30 is a budget-friendly option, offering basic smartphone functionality at a lower cost.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Cameras: Includes separate lenses for portrait and close-up photography.
- Slightly Higher Resolution Front Camera: Offers slightly more detail in selfies than S24+.
- Slightly larger standard camera resolution 14MP more resolution compared to S24+
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Advantages
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers dramatically faster processing, better gaming, and smoother multitasking.
- Far Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness provide a much sharper, smoother, and more vibrant viewing experience, particularly in sunlight.
- More Advanced Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens, better low-light performance, higher-quality video recording with 8K resolution, advanced video stabilization and Optical Zoom.
- Faster Charging: 45W charging refills the battery much faster than the Moto G30's 15W charging.
- More Features: S24+ has many more features, including bypass and reverse charging, wireless charging, stereo speakers, more Bluetooth features, newer wifi, etc.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 14 and expected to receive more software updates.
Trade-offs
- Moto G30: Compromises on performance, display quality, and camera capabilities to achieve a lower price point. It lacks modern features available in higher-end devices.
- Samsung Galaxy S24+: Significantly more expensive and does not include a dedicated macro and portrait mode camera. .
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30
- Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users seeking basic smartphone functionality.
- Users who prioritize battery life over performance and display quality.
- Individuals who require dedicated macro and depth cameras.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday communication (calls, texts, social media).
- Casual web browsing and media consumption.
- Basic photography in decent lighting conditions.
- Users not needing the latest and greatest technology.
Samsung Galaxy S24+
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize top-tier performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Users who enjoy mobile gaming, video streaming, and high-quality photography.
- Those willing to pay a premium for a premium experience.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming and multitasking.
- High-resolution video recording and playback.
- Professional-quality photography and videography.
- Users who need a smartphone for work and leisure and want it to perform the best.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- What is your budget? The Moto G30 is a budget-friendly option, while the S24+ is a premium device.
- What are your primary use cases? Are you a casual user or a power user who needs top performance?
- What features are most important to you? Performance, display, camera, or price?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs:
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G30. It will handle basic tasks well, with a focus on battery life, and dedicated macro/depth cameras are nice extras for a low cost.
- Scenario 2: Moderate Budget, Good All-Around Phone:
- Recommendation: None, neither of these phones would be a good fit, other phones in this price range would be better fits, such as the Samsung A-series phones, or Motorola's edge series.
- Scenario 3: Premium Experience, Top Performance:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S24+. It provides a superior experience in almost every aspect with its better chipset, screen, camera and more.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would absolutely pick the Samsung Galaxy S24+. While it comes at a significantly higher price, the improvement in almost every aspect is too good to ignore. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip would make the device feel snappy and fast. The better screen and faster refresh rate would greatly improve my day-to-day experience and make the phone more enjoyable to use. The camera system is superior, and I appreciate having a telephoto lens for zoom. I don't find the lack of dedicated macro and portrait cameras to be a serious issue as the S24+ will most likely capture better overall photos than the Moto G30, even in close-up scenarios. Finally, the much faster charging and additional features like wireless charging and reverse charging make the phone a lot more convenient to use and increase the overall functionality.
