Motorola Moto G30 vs Sony Xperia 10 III - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 17, 2021 June 11, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 113.8 cm³ 86.92 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.25 "/g 3.55 "/g
Weight 200 g 169 g
Height 165.2 mm 154 mm
Width 75.7 mm 68 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Phantom Black (Dark Pearl)
  • Pastel Sky
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Pink

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2520
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 80.3 %
Pixel Density 269 PPI 457 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 125.00 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.94 mAh/cm³ 51.77 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
GPU Adreno 610 Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.1
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.1, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 11
Maximum OS Version 12 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Sony Xperia 10 IIIPractical Impact
Dimensions165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm154 x 68 x 8.3 mmThe Sony is significantly smaller and thinner, making it easier to handle and pocket. The Motorola is noticeably larger in all dimensions.
Weight200g169gThe Sony is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Motorola is noticeably heavier which may lead to fatigue for some users.

Display

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Sony Xperia 10 IIIPractical Impact
Size6.5"6"The Motorola has a larger screen, good for media consumption and multitasking. The Sony is more compact, suiting single-handed use and portability.
Resolution720 x 16001080 x 2520The Sony's higher resolution display appears significantly sharper with more detail. Motorola's lower res may appear pixelated to some users
Pixel Density (PPI)269457The Sony's significantly higher pixel density leads to sharper text and images, a better viewing experience, particularly for detailed content.
TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDThe Sony's OLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Motorola's LCD screen.
Refresh Rate90Hz60HzThe Motorola's 90Hz display provides a smoother scrolling experience. The Sony's 60Hz will appear less smooth, but will conserve battery power.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth phones share identical peak brightness, which is not a helpful point of comparison as it is likely not reported accurately.

Performance

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Sony Xperia 10 IIIPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm)The Sony's newer, more efficient chipset provides significantly faster performance, better app loading, smoother multitasking, and better efficiency. Motorola's chipset will be slower in overall usage.
Antutu Score170,968275,000The Sony's higher Antutu score indicates a superior performance, better for demanding apps and gaming. Motorola will struggle more with intensive apps and multitasking.
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 619LThe Sony's newer GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. The Motorola's older GPU will struggle more with intensive graphical tasks.

Camera

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Sony Xperia 10 IIIPractical Impact
Main Camera Resolution64MP, f/1.7, 0.7µm pixel size12MP, f/1.8, Pixel Size: Not givenThe Motorola has a higher resolution sensor for detailed images. The Sony's sensor is likely better quality, and combined with its aperture of f/1.8 it should provide better low-light performance. Pixel size is not given for the Sony, this is a point of missing information.
Telephoto CameraNot Available8MP, f/2.4Sony offers a dedicated zoom camera, ideal for portraits and zoom shots. The Motorola lacks a dedicated zoom camera, relying on digital zoom which degrades image quality.
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size8MP, f/2.0, Pixel Size: Not givenThe Motorola has higher megapixel count, but the Sony's wider aperture (f/2.0 vs f/2.2) may result in better low-light selfies. Pixel size is not given for the Sony, this is a point of missing information.
Wide Angle Camera8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size8MP, f/2.2, Pixel Size: Not givenBoth phones have similar wide-angle cameras. The pixel size is not given for the Sony, this is a point of missing information.
Depth Camera2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel sizeNot AvailableThe Motorola includes a depth sensor which helps create a bokeh effect for portraits.
Macro Camera2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel sizeNot AvailableThe Motorola includes a macro sensor for close-up shots.
Video RecordingUp to 1080p@60fpsUp to 4K@30fpsThe Sony can record higher resolution 4K videos. Both record in slow-motion, the Sony records at 120fps and the Motorola at 60fps.
Camera FeaturesQuadruple camera, PDAF, LAF, RAWTriple camera, 4K video, digital stabilizationThe Motorola offers more autofocus options and the ability to shoot in RAW. The Sony offers 4k recording, a digital stabilizer, and a telephoto lens.

Battery

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Sony Xperia 10 IIIPractical Impact
Capacity5000mAh4500mAhThe Motorola has a slightly larger battery, which likely means longer battery life between charges.
Charging15W Fast Charging18W Fast ChargingThe Sony charges slightly faster.
Battery TypeLi-IonLi-PolymerBoth types are common, the Li-Polymer in the Sony may be more stable and durable in the long term.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:

  • Larger Display: 6.5" screen is beneficial for media consumption, gaming, and users who prefer larger text.
  • Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a smoother scrolling experience compared to the Sony's 60Hz.
  • Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer battery life.
  • Additional Cameras: Dedicated depth and macro cameras add versatility for close-up and portrait photography.
  • RAW photo capability: The ability to shoot in RAW gives greater control for photo editing.
  • Lower price point The Motorola Moto G30 is often priced lower than the Sony.

Sony Xperia 10 III Advantages:

  • Superior Display: OLED display with higher resolution (1080 x 2520) and pixel density (457 PPI) offers a sharper, more vibrant viewing experience.
  • Better Performance: The Snapdragon 690 5G chipset provides significantly faster performance and better power efficiency.
  • Telephoto Lens: A dedicated telephoto lens offers optical zoom capabilities, improving photo quality at longer distances and enabling portrait mode shots.
  • Higher Quality Video: 4K video recording provides a substantial quality improvement over the Motorola's 1080p video.
  • Compact Design: Smaller, lighter, and thinner design for improved portability and single-handed use.
  • Better Bluetooth: The Sony has a better version of Bluetooth with more features
  • 5G Support: This device has 5G network support.
  • Better Build Quality: With Gorilla Glass 6.
  • Hi-Res audio: The Sony has support for Hi-Res audio and 2 microphones.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Motorola: Trade-offs higher display quality, performance, and 4K video for larger screen, better battery, and additional cameras.
  • Sony: Trade-offs a smoother display and longer battery life for a smaller, sharper screen, and higher performance.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Motorola Moto G30:

  • Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a larger screen experience and decent battery life.
  • Casual Users: Those who mainly use their phones for browsing, social media, and media consumption.
  • Users who value camera versatility: Those who enjoy experimenting with close-up and portrait shots.
  • Users who prioritize battery life: If the larger battery is a key decision point.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Watching videos, movies, and streams, due to the larger screen.
  • Playing casual games where high performance isn't critical.
  • Basic everyday photography with its various lens options.

Ideal User for Sony Xperia 10 III:

  • Users who prioritize display quality: Those who want a sharp, vibrant, and color-accurate screen.
  • Performance enthusiasts: Those seeking smooth and fast performance for apps and multitasking.
  • Photography enthusiasts: Users who prioritize 4K video and telephoto zoom,
  • Users seeking portability: Those who value a smaller, more manageable phone.
  • Users who want better audio: If Hi-Res Audio and dual microphones are important for you.
  • Users who need 5G: If 5G connectivity is needed.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Viewing high-quality photos and videos, due to the high-resolution OLED display.
  • Running demanding apps and games where smooth performance is important.
  • Taking detailed photos and videos, with telephoto capabilities and 4K video.
  • For users who prioritize a smaller phone for on-the-go use.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. How important is display quality to you? (OLED and High Resolution vs larger size and smoother scrolling)
  2. What do you prioritize more, Battery Life or Performance? (Long battery vs Smooth performance)
  3. Is camera versatility or quality more important? (Macro & depth vs optical zoom and 4k)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget Shopper: If budget is the primary concern, the Moto G30 is a suitable choice with a large display and decent battery.
  • Scenario 2: Media Enthusiast: If enjoying high-quality videos and detailed images are a priority, the Sony Xperia 10 III is the better option.
  • Scenario 3: Photography Lover: If zoom and higher quality video are essential, the Sony is the better choice; if versatility and macro photography is the primary focus, choose the Motorola.
  • Scenario 4: On-the-Go User: If portability and comfortable one-handed use are important, the Sony Xperia 10 III is the preferred option.

What I Would Choose and Why

I would choose the Sony Xperia 10 III. While the Motorola G30 has its merits, particularly its larger display and bigger battery, the Sony offers a better overall experience for my usage patterns. Here’s why:

  • Superior Display: The OLED screen with its higher resolution and pixel density is a significant advantage for everyday use and media consumption. As someone who spends a lot of time reading and browsing content, the sharper screen will improve the viewing experience.

  • Better Performance: The Snapdragon 690 chipset offers noticeably smoother performance. The better CPU and GPU are significant factors that will impact real-world performance for various tasks.

  • Camera Quality: The dedicated telephoto lens is a valuable feature for the type of photos I tend to take, offering more versatile framing and a better zoom capability than the Motorola. The 4K video recording is also a big plus.

  • Portability: The smaller, more lightweight design of the Sony is better suited for single-handed use. I prefer devices that are comfortable to hold for longer periods and fit easily in a pocket.

  • Audio Quality: The support for Hi-Res audio and dual microphones will provide a better audio experience.

While the Motorola's longer battery and 90Hz display are noteworthy, the improvements in the Sony's screen, performance, camera, build, and audio quality more than make up for these trade-offs. The Sony Xperia 10 III is the better choice for my typical use case.

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
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.