Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G30 vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Poco M4 Pro is more compact and easier to handle; Moto G30 is bulkier and less pocketable. |
| Weight | 200g | 179.5g | Poco M4 Pro feels lighter and more comfortable to use for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.43" | Negligible difference; both offer comfortable viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Poco M4 Pro's display is significantly sharper; text and images will appear clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 269 PPI | 409 PPI | Poco M4 Pro provides a much crisper visual experience, especially noticeable when reading text and viewing detailed content. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Poco M4 Pro offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, providing a much more enjoyable visual experience, particularly for media. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both provide smoother scrolling compared to 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. This information is incorrect or missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Helio G96 (12 nm) | Poco M4 Pro has a significantly more powerful chipset. Expect faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 438,700 | Poco M4 Pro offers a notably superior performance, significantly better for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco M4 Pro provides better graphics performance, smoother gaming experience |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer all-day battery life for average usage. |
| Charging | 15W | 33W | Poco M4 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 64MP | 50MP | Moto G30 has a higher megapixel count, but not always better image quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | Moto G30's wider aperture will allow more light to enter the sensor, potentially improving low light performance, although by small difference. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | Unknown | 1/2.76" | Missing spec for Moto G30, unable to analyze. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.70 µm | 0.64 µm | Moto G30's larger pixel size can capture slightly more light per pixel, potentially yielding slightly improved low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 13MP | 16MP | Poco M4 Pro captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | Moto G30's wider aperture allows more light, potentially improving low-light selfie quality. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | Unknown | 1/3.06" | Missing spec for Moto G30, unable to analyze. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 1.12 µm | 1.00 µm | Moto G30's larger pixel size can capture slightly more light per pixel, potentially yielding slightly improved low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Camera Res | 8MP | 8MP | Comparable wide-angle capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.2 | Comparable aperture for wide angle shots. |
| Wide Angle Camera Sensor Size | Unknown | 1/2.8" | Missing spec for Moto G30, unable to analyze. |
| Wide Angle Camera Pixel Size | 1.12 µm | 1.14 µm | Comparable pixel size for wide angle shots. |
| Depth Camera Res | 2MP | N/A | Moto G30 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos. |
| Macro Camera Res | 2MP | N/A | Moto G30 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps | Similar video recording for standard usage. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 11 | Moto G30 has an upgrade path to Android 12, potentially receiving newer features and security updates, where as Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro doesn't have confirmed version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both have similar WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Poco M4 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering slightly better connection stability and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco M4 Pro has broader satellite support leading to more reliable location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | Unknown | Moto G30 offers up to 128 GB of internal storage, while Poco M4 Pro storage is unknown. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | Unknown | Moto G30 offers up to 6GB of RAM, while Poco M4 Pro RAM is unknown. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Poco M4 Pro offers a superior audio experience for media consumption and voice calls due to its better speakers and audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-mounted | Side-mounted | Side-mounted sensors are often faster and more convenient than rear-mounted sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco M4 Pro offers superior screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco M4 Pro includes a compass and ultrasonic proximity sensor, offering more advanced features; Moto G30 has a dedicated Proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Depth and Macro Cameras: Offers dedicated macro and depth sensors, which are absent in the Poco M4 Pro. This is beneficial for users who enjoy close-up or portrait photography.
- Wider Aperture on Main and Selfie Camera: Slightly wider apertures allow more light, which might be beneficial in low-light scenarios.
- Potential Android Upgrades: Has the potential to upgrade to Android 12, offering newer features and security updates.
- Larger Pixel Size on Main and Selfie Camera: Allows slightly more light to be captured, potentially yielding better low-light performance.
- Available storage and ram Comes with 64 or 128GB storage and 4 or 6GB ram.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: Superior chipset and GPU result in noticeably faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming.
- Sharper and More Vibrant Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution and pixel density offers a much better viewing experience.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers provide a much better audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers better scratch and impact resistance.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 offers potentially more stability and features compared to Bluetooth 5.0.
- Better GPS: Supports more satellite systems, providing more accurate location tracking.
- More Advanced Sensors: Includes a compass and ultrasonic proximity sensor.
- Side mounted fingerprint sensor: Better ergonomics and faster to unlock.
Trade-offs:
- Moto G30: Sacrifices performance, display quality, and charging speed for additional camera features, a better upgrade path, and available storage and ram.
- Poco M4 Pro: Lacks dedicated macro and depth sensors and the main camera sensor size is smaller, but excels in almost every other aspect (performance, display, audio, charging speed, connectivity).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious photographers: Users who prioritize having macro and depth cameras on a budget.
- Users who need more storage and ram: Users who need more storage and ram out of the box
- Users who value software updates: Those who prefer having the latest version of Android.
- Casual users: Individuals who don't need high-end performance for gaming or heavy multitasking.
Specific Use Cases for Moto G30:
- Taking close-up photos of nature or objects.
- Creating portrait photos with background blur.
- Light social media usage and web browsing.
- Everyday casual use cases
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers or users who require snappy performance and smooth multitasking.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos or play games and want a vibrant display and good audio.
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Those who need to quickly top up their battery.
- Users who want a more premium experience Those who want a higher quality phone in terms of display and audio with a slightly lower camera quality.
Specific Use Cases for Poco M4 Pro:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Watching movies and videos with high fidelity.
- Quickly charging the phone between uses.
- Daily usage with multiple apps open at once.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco M4 Pro generally provides better value for its price due to its superior performance and display. The Moto G30 may be better for users who prioritize camera features and software updates and have a tighter budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do I prioritize performance and display quality over camera features? If yes, the Poco M4 Pro is the better option. If no, then Moto G30 can be considered.
- Is fast charging essential for my usage patterns? If yes, the Poco M4 Pro will suit your needs better due to it's fast charging capabilities.
- Do I frequently take macro or portrait photos, or are those secondary concerns? If yes, the Moto G30 is better. If not, Poco M4 Pro offers a much better overall experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If you're primarily using the phone for social media, web browsing, and occasional photos, and prioritize more storage and ram, the Moto G30 is a suitable choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Oriented User: If you play games, multitask heavily, or prioritize a better display and audio, the Poco M4 Pro is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast on a Budget: If you specifically want macro and depth cameras, the Moto G30 will be the better option, but note the overall quality of images will be less than Poco M4 Pro.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro. Although the Moto G30 offers dedicated macro and depth cameras and potentially Android 12 upgrades, the Poco M4 Pro is superior in most other aspects that contribute to daily usage:
- Performance: The difference in chipset performance is substantial. The Poco M4 Pro offers much faster app loading and smoother multitasking, making a big difference in day-to-day use.
- Display Quality: The AMOLED display on the Poco M4 Pro is a game-changer. The vivid colors, deep blacks, and sharp text significantly enhance the viewing experience. This is very important for media consumption and everyday usage.
- Charging Speed: The faster charging capabilities of the Poco M4 Pro are incredibly convenient. This translates to less downtime and greater usability.
- Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers greatly enhance the audio experience, which is a plus for those who watch videos and listen to music often.
- Overall User Experience: The combination of faster performance, better display, superior audio, and faster charging makes the Poco M4 Pro a more enjoyable device to use daily.
While the macro and depth cameras on the Moto G30 are nice to have, they are not essential for me. The performance and display quality offered by the Poco M4 Pro are far more impactful in my daily usage, which is why it would be my pick. The slightly better low light performance is not enough to justify the tradeoffs in other key areas. The benefits of a faster and more enjoyable user experience provided by the Poco M4 Pro outweigh the advantages of the extra cameras on the Moto G30.
