Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G30 vs. Xiaomi 11T Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi 11T Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 164.1 × 76.9 × 8.8 mm | Moto G30 is slightly taller and thicker, while the 11T Pro is slightly wider. Differences are minor and may not be noticeable for most users. |
| Weight | 200g | 204g | Both have similar weight, making both feel substantial but not overly heavy. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers more durable screen against scratches and drops due to Gorilla Glass Victus. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Xiaomi 11T Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering a slightly more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Xiaomi 11T Pro's higher resolution results in sharper text and images, making it noticeably clearer and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density | 269 ppi | 395 ppi | Xiaomi 11T Pro's significantly higher pixel density makes the display much sharper and more detailed. Text and images are much less pixelated. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Xiaomi 11T Pro's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, superior contrast, more vibrant colours, and better viewing angles, especially noticeable in dark mode and when viewing HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi 11T Pro's 120Hz provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming visuals, although 90Hz on the G30 is still relatively smooth. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Xiaomi 11T Pro is much brighter, making it far more usable in bright sunlight and outdoor environments. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Xiaomi 11T Pro's much more powerful chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 863,489 | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers vastly superior performance for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 660 | Xiaomi 11T Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, leading to better graphics in games and smoother UI transitions. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life depending on usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Xiaomi 11T Pro charges much faster, getting to full battery in a fraction of the time compared to the Motorola G30, significantly reducing wait times. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | No significant practical difference for the average user. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Two 2500mAh cells | Xiaomi 11T Pro has two 2500mAh cells to support the fast charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.7, 0.7µm | 108MP, f/1.75, 0.7µm, 1/1.52" | Xiaomi 11T Pro's 108MP sensor captures more detailed photos with better dynamic range, especially in good lighting conditions. |
| Front Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1.00µm, 1/3.06" | Xiaomi 11T Pro captures slightly higher resolution selfies; however, the G30 has a wider aperture which might perform better in low light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.14µm, 1/2.8" | Similar performance and detail for wide angle shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | N/A | Moto G30 includes dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, Xiaomi 11T Pro may use software based depth calculation. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm, 1/5" | Xiaomi 11T Pro's Macro lens should produce slightly sharper close-up photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, Slow-mo: 60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, Slow-mo: 960fps | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers significantly better video capabilities including 8K recording for professional-grade video content and higher frame rate slow-motion capture. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile: 108, Selfie: 121 | Xiaomi 11T Pro has a verified camera score, which is not available for the Motorola G30. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, RAW | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Night Mode, RAW | Xiaomi 11T Pro has additional features such as 4k/8k video, Optical image stabilization, and Night mode for better photos in low-light conditions. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max 12 | Android 11, Max 13 | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers one more major Android update compared to the G30, providing extended software support and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Xiaomi 11T Pro provides faster and more stable Wi-Fi speeds with better performance in congested areas. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Xiaomi 11T Pro provides more stable and faster connections with compatible Bluetooth accessories. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi 11T Pro includes more satellite systems that enable improved positioning accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers a higher maximum storage configuration and no option for a lower 64GB configuration. |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 8/12GB | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers significantly more RAM, which is better for heavy multitasking and demanding gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, potentially limiting the amount of media that can be stored locally. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Xiaomi 11T Pro has enhanced audio, offering more immersive sound with better sound quality compared to the G30. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both sensors are fast and reliable, side-mounted sensors might be slightly more convenient for some users. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic Proximity | Xiaomi 11T Pro has more environmental and motion sensors for better gaming and enhanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Slightly Lower Price: The Moto G30 is generally more affordable, making it accessible to budget-conscious users.
- Dedicated depth camera: Provides a dedicated lens for better portrait mode photos.
Practical Implications: Ideal for basic smartphone tasks and those on a very strict budget.
Xiaomi 11T Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness provide a superior visual experience for all types of content.
- Much Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers a substantially faster experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 120W charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main camera, 8K video recording, and higher resolution macro lens, generally superior image quality overall.
- Advanced Audio Features: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers offer a significantly better multimedia experience.
- More software updates: Expected to receive one more OS update compared to Motorola G30.
- More Connectivity Features: Supports newer Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS versions for more stable, faster and more accurate connections.
Practical Implications: Ideal for power users, gamers, media consumers, and anyone who values a high-performance smartphone experience.
Trade-offs:
- Price: The Xiaomi 11T Pro is considerably more expensive than the Moto G30.
- Physical Size and Weight: Although not too different the Xiaomi 11T Pro is slightly wider and heavier which may be a minor issue for some.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, first-time smartphone buyers, users with basic needs like browsing, social media, and casual photography.
- Use Cases: Daily communication, basic social media, web browsing, light media consumption, casual photography.
- Price-to-Value: Provides good value for the very low price point. The phone is functional and reliable for everyday use.
Xiaomi 11T Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, content creators, media enthusiasts, users who want the best performance and features.
- Use Cases: Demanding gaming, heavy multitasking, 4k/8k video recording, high-quality media consumption, photography, and professional use cases.
- Price-to-Value: Justifies the higher price with its advanced features, premium performance, and exceptional display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Motorola Moto G30 is significantly more affordable.
- How important is performance? The Xiaomi 11T Pro delivers top-tier performance while the Moto G30 is very basic in comparison.
- What features do you prioritize? Consider factors like display quality, camera capabilities, and charging speed.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Focused: If you're on a tight budget and need a basic smartphone, the Motorola Moto G30 is a functional choice.
- Performance-Driven: If you value top-tier performance, smooth multitasking, and demanding gaming, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is the superior choice.
- Camera Enthusiast: If you want great camera quality and features, especially for video recording, the Xiaomi 11T Pro's 108MP and advanced video capabilities will be much more useful.
- Multimedia Consumer: If you frequently watch videos or listen to music, the Xiaomi 11T Pro's AMOLED display and enhanced audio features provide a significantly better experience.
What I Would Choose
I would choose the Xiaomi 11T Pro. While the Motorola Moto G30 is a decent budget-friendly option, the vast improvements offered by the 11T Pro justify its higher price for my usage and needs. The significantly better display (AMOLED, higher resolution, higher brightness, 120Hz), vastly superior performance (Snapdragon 888), faster charging (120W), and the superior camera system, combined with the advanced audio features make it a clear winner for me. I prioritize a smoother experience with better performance for gaming and multitasking as well as better overall media consumption, that’s why the 11T Pro suits me better.
