1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm | 163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm | Poco F4 is slightly shorter and thinner, making it feel more modern and comfortable in hand. G30 is slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 200g | 195g | Poco F4 is marginally lighter, which may enhance comfort for prolonged use, though the difference is not huge. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Poco F4's larger screen offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Poco F4's much higher resolution results in a significantly sharper and more detailed display, especially noticeable when viewing text and images. |
| PPI | 269 | 395 | Poco F4 has a noticeably sharper display, less pixelated, enhancing visual quality. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Poco F4's AMOLED display provides deeper blacks, superior contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the G30's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco F4 provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling, enhancing the perceived responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (Unspecified) | 1300 nits | Poco F4 will be significantly easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight due to much higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Poco F4's chipset is vastly more powerful, offering smoother performance in games, faster app loading, and better multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 861,200 | Poco F4 scores much higher, demonstrating a huge performance gap, for intensive apps and demanding games. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 650 | Poco F4's GPU handles graphics much better, resulting in smoother and higher-quality gaming experiences. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Moto G30 has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering slightly longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 15W | 67W | Poco F4 charges significantly faster, which is very beneficial for quickly topping up the battery. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64.4MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | G30 has a slightly wider aperture, Poco F4 has a larger sensor, but both are similar quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2" sensor | Poco F4 takes slightly better selfies in most cases due to more megapixels and larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor | Both phones offer similar wide-angle lens capabilities. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Moto G30 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode; Poco F4 relies solely on software for the effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | Both phones feature a similar 2MP macro lens, suitable for close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, No stabilization | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, OIS | Poco F4 offers much higher video resolution and optical image stabilization, resulting in better quality recordings. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Poco F4 has a newer Android version out of the box, meaning longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | Poco F4 supports faster and more efficient WiFi 6 standard, offering better connection speeds and stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Poco F4 has a more modern Bluetooth version, offering better range and speed, with support for better audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Poco F4 supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy, particularly in urban or obstructed environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Poco F4 offers more storage options, up to 256GB for more apps, files, and media. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Poco F4 can have much more RAM for better multitasking, smoother app switching, and handling resource-intensive applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, which is a limitation for users with large libraries. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo speakers, 2 mics | Poco F4 has much better audio quality with stereo speakers, support for high-resolution audio and Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Rear-mounted | Side-mounted | Side mounted fingerprint sensor is more modern and generally faster. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F4 has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco F4 has a better sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The Moto G30 has a 5000 mAh battery compared to Poco F4's 4500mAh, which could translate to slightly longer battery life for less intensive use.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, which can sometimes offer better edge detection than software solutions.
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): The Moto G30 utilizes laser autofocus, which can offer faster focusing in certain scenarios.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chip provides significantly faster performance than the Snapdragon 662, resulting in better app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Better Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and refresh rate provides a much better viewing experience with vibrant colors, sharper text, and smoother animations.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging is much more convenient and time-saving compared to the 15W charging on the Moto G30.
- Improved Camera: The Poco F4 offers 4K video recording with OIS, which will result in much higher-quality videos. The selfie camera also has a higher resolution and larger sensor.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, providing faster and more reliable connectivity.
- Better Audio: The Poco F4's dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio support make for a significantly improved audio experience.
- More Storage & RAM: Offers more internal storage options and more RAM, which will be useful for demanding users and applications.
- Superior Build Quality: Features a more durable screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Moto G30's slightly larger battery might offer a little more battery life for basic tasks, but this is often offset by the Poco F4's more efficient processor and faster charging, resulting in a better overall daily experience for many users.
- The Moto G30's dedicated depth sensor might be a small advantage for some users who take lots of portrait shots, however, the other camera advantages on the Poco F4 greatly outweigh it.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious User: Users who prioritize affordability and battery life over high-end performance or screen quality.
- Basic Smartphone User: Suitable for those who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and light browsing.
- Users who Prefer a Larger Battery: If a longer battery life is the main priority, the Moto G30 may be preferred.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication (calls, texts, social media)
- Basic web browsing and light app use
- Longer battery life on a tight budget
Xiaomi Poco F4 Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiast: Users who desire a powerful phone for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Media Consumer: Those who watch videos, play games, and enjoy high-quality display and audio.
- Photography and Videography Lovers: Users who value higher-quality photos and videos, including 4K recording and image stabilization.
- Tech Savvy User: People who want the latest connectivity standards and appreciate the latest features.
Use Cases:
- High-performance mobile gaming
- Video streaming and media consumption
- Photo and video creation and sharing
- Heavy multitasking, switching between apps quickly.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Moto G30 is better suited for those who want a good, cheap phone.
- The Poco F4 provides much more value for the money. It provides significant upgrades in most areas, making it a better all-around smartphone for users that don't want to pay flagship prices.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If you're on a very tight budget and only need basic smartphone functions, the Moto G30 might suffice. But if you can spend a little more, the Poco F4 is much better value for the money.
- What are your primary phone use cases? If you mainly use your phone for calls, texts, and very light browsing, the Moto G30 can work. If you play games, consume media, or value fast performance, the Poco F4 is the better choice.
- How important is display quality, charging speed, and performance? If display quality, fast charging, and high performance are important, the Poco F4 is a much stronger option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: If the budget is extremely tight and you mainly use your phone for basic tasks, the Motorola Moto G30 might be acceptable.
- Scenario 2: Balanced Performance, Good Value: If you want to balance good performance with value, the Xiaomi Poco F4 offers a huge upgrade over the Moto G30.
- Scenario 3: Performance and Feature Focused: If you prioritize higher performance, screen quality, audio experience, and camera features, the Xiaomi Poco F4 is the better choice by a wide margin.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4. While the Moto G30 has a slightly larger battery, the Poco F4 outclasses it in nearly every other aspect. Its superior display, significantly faster performance, better camera capabilities, modern connectivity, and overall user experience outweigh the slightly smaller battery. The 67W fast charging also makes the smaller battery capacity less of an issue since I can top it up much faster than the Moto G30. For me, the overall experience of using a high-performance device with a great display is worth the extra price difference.
