1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 162.5 × 76.7 × 8.5 mm | The Moto G30 is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling less sleek. The Poco F4 GT might feel more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Weight | 200g | 210g | The Moto G30 is marginally lighter; it may be slightly more comfortable for extended holding, but the difference is minimal. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Poco F4 GT has superior screen protection, reducing the risk of scratches and cracks. The Moto G30's screen protection is unknown so could be less durable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | The Poco F4 GT has a slightly larger screen, which could be better for media consumption. The difference is noticeable but not drastic. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Poco F4 GT offers significantly sharper and more detailed visuals, which is particularly noticeable for reading text and viewing images and videos. |
| PPI | 269 | 395 | The higher pixel density of the Poco F4 GT leads to a noticeably clearer and crisper image. Text and images are smoother and less pixelated. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The AMOLED display of the Poco F4 GT offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, improving the viewing experience, especially in low-light conditions. It also has better power efficiency when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Poco F4 GT's 120Hz display provides a smoother and more fluid user experience, particularly during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, although the exact values aren't provided. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Poco F4 GT's high-end chip provides vastly superior performance in terms of speed, app loading, gaming, and multitasking. It's a much more powerful and future-proof device. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 1,178,365 | The Poco F4 GT has significantly higher performance, meaning it will handle demanding apps and games with ease. The Moto G30 will struggle with heavier tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 730 | The Poco F4 GT's GPU offers far better graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and better visuals in graphically intensive apps and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64.4MP, f/1.7, 0.7µm | 64MP, f/1.73, 0.8µm, 1/1.7", Sony IMX686 | The Poco F4 GT likely offers better image quality thanks to its larger sensor and Sony sensor despite having a slightly less wide aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 20MP, f/2.4, 0.8µm, 1/2", Sony IMX596 | The Poco F4 GT has a higher resolution sensor for more detailed selfies but a smaller pixel size and narrower aperture, may perform slightly worse in low light. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856 | Both have similar specifications for their wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | The Moto G30 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode while the Poco F4 GT doesn't. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar macro cameras. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@960fps | The Poco F4 GT has significantly better video recording capabilities, with higher resolution (4K) and higher frame rate options, and slow motion capture at 960fps. |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, PDAF, LAF, RAW | Triple Camera, Gimbal, LAF | The Moto G30 offers a dedicated depth camera, PDAF, and RAW capture. The Poco F4 GT offers gimbal stabilization and 4K recording with HDR. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | The Moto G30 has a marginally larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life, but in practice, the difference is likely minimal and would be offset by the increased performance of the Poco F4 GT. |
| Charging | 15W | 120W | The Poco F4 GT offers dramatically faster charging speeds, allowing for much quicker refills. This is a significant advantage for those needing to top up their device quickly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgrade to 12 | Android 12, upgrade to 13 | The Poco F4 GT ships with a newer Android version, which means slightly more modern features and likely a better software experience (at least to begin with). |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | The Poco F4 GT supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi standards, offering better performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | The Poco F4 GT has a newer version of Bluetooth for potentially improved stability and power efficiency, also supports higher quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | The Poco F4 GT has access to more satellite systems, likely leading to more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both offer dual SIM functionality with two nano sim slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | The Poco F4 GT offers more internal storage, especially in its higher-end configuration. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB/12GB | The Poco F4 GT has significantly more RAM for better multitasking and smoother performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has a microSD card slot. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Poco F4 GT offers a much more immersive audio experience, with premium features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Rear-mounted | Side-mounted | Both offer fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco F4 GT has a more extensive sensor array including compass. Moto G30 has standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery might provide a marginal advantage in battery life, although this is dependent on usage and could be offset by the more demanding hardware in the Poco F4 GT.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The extra 2MP portrait camera may provide slightly better depth sensing in portrait mode photos.
- Lower Price Point: This is likely the most significant advantage for the Moto G30, as it caters to budget-conscious users.
- Wider Aperture for Main Camera: Moto G30 has a wider aperture on the main camera, which will theoretically capture more light and potentially perform slightly better in low light conditions than the Poco F4 GT.
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers vastly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall speed.
- Significantly Better Display: The AMOLED panel with higher resolution and refresh rate provides a much more vibrant and smoother viewing experience.
- Much Faster Charging: The 120W charging is a huge advantage for quick battery top-ups.
- Enhanced Audio: The inclusion of Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers offers a vastly superior audio experience.
- Advanced Connectivity: The support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensures faster and more reliable connectivity.
- Better Camera Features: 4K video recording, gimbal stabilization and better main sensor make for a superior camera experience.
- More RAM and Storage Options: The higher RAM and storage options provide better performance for demanding users.
- More Robust Build Quality: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better screen protection and offers more peace of mind.
- More Modern OS: Ships with a more recent Android version and has another update available to it.
- More Accurate Location: Improved location tracking with more available satellite systems.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Offers a wider array of sensors including a compass for more advanced features.
Trade-offs:
- Moto G30: While it has a larger battery (in spec), it will likely not last longer due to lower efficiency hardware. It has lower performance, camera capabilities and older connectivity.
- Poco F4 GT: The primary trade-off is that the phone is heavier and has a higher price tag compared to the Motorola.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious individuals who prioritize battery life and basic smartphone functionality. Users who are not concerned about having the best possible camera, display or performance, and are willing to compromise on the premium features.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and basic communication.
- Users who need reliable battery life for extended use without needing advanced features.
- Users looking for a cost-effective and reasonably capable phone for day-to-day tasks.
- Price to Value: Given its significantly lower price, it provides good value for users on a budget who don't need high-end features.
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and individuals who want a top-tier performance, excellent display, and fast charging. Also ideal for users who enjoy capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with demanding graphics requirements.
- Multitasking with multiple apps running simultaneously.
- High-quality video recording and content creation.
- Media consumption with vibrant and high-fidelity audio.
- Users who prioritize the fastest charging speeds.
- Price to Value: Offers great value if high performance, and advanced features are a top priority.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Moto G30 is much more affordable, while the Poco F4 GT sits at a higher price bracket.
- How important is performance? The Poco F4 GT offers a much higher-end chipset and is better suited for demanding tasks.
- What are my display requirements? The Poco F4 GT has a vastly superior display compared to the Moto G30.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If your primary concern is cost and you only need basic smartphone functionalities, the Motorola Moto G30 is the more sensible choice.
- Performance Enthusiast: If you prioritize gaming, multitasking, and overall speed, and are willing to pay for it, the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT is the clear winner.
- Media Consumer: If you consume a lot of media and want a better experience, including higher quality audio, the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT is the better option, thanks to it's vastly superior display and audio.
- Photography Enthusiast: If you enjoy capturing high quality photos and videos, the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT is a better pick thanks to its significantly superior sensor and video recording capabilities.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT. While the Motorola Moto G30 is a more affordable option, its performance is significantly inferior, and the display is basic by modern standards. The Poco F4 GT's high-end chipset, superior display, faster charging, improved camera and overall more refined experience make it much more appealing.
While the Moto G30 might be better for users who strictly prioritize price and battery, I value performance and overall user experience which the Poco F4 GT provides in spades. The dramatically faster charging also provides a massive advantage for my usage habits. The vastly superior display, camera, and audio are all extremely compelling benefits that would outweigh the added cost. The performance of the Poco F4 GT also ensures it will last for much longer before it needs to be replaced. For me, the Poco F4 GT provides far greater value for its increased price.
