1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 161.1 × 75 × 8 mm | Moto G30 is slightly taller and thicker, making the Poco M6 Pro a bit more pocketable and comfortable. |
| Weight | 200g | 179g | Poco M6 Pro feels significantly lighter, better for long holding sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Poco M6 Pro offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Poco M6 Pro has a much sharper display, leading to clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 269 PPI | 395 PPI | Poco M6 Pro's higher pixel density makes the display noticeably less grainy and more detailed. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Poco M6 Pro's AMOLED panel provides deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco M6 Pro offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1800 nits | Poco M6 Pro is much brighter, offering vastly superior outdoor visibility in sunlight. The Motorola Moto G30's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra | Poco M6 Pro offers significantly better performance, resulting in faster app launches and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 450,000 | Poco M6 Pro is substantially faster, suitable for moderate gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco M6 Pro's GPU provides superior graphics performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery life for all-day use for most users. |
| Charging | 15W | 67W | Poco M6 Pro charges much faster, reducing charging time significantly. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64.4MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.79 | Moto G30 has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.7 vs f/1.79), which could slightly improve low-light performance, though the difference may be minimal. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 16MP | Poco M6 Pro captures slightly more detailed selfies due to higher resolution. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | No | Moto G30 allows for wider shots, capturing more of a scene. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.45 | Similar depth sensors, slight aperture difference is negligible. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Moto G30 allows for close-up macro shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | 8MP, f/2.2 | Poco M6 Pro has a versatile combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, No EIS | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | Poco M6 Pro offers better video stabilization for smoother footage. |
| Slow-motion | 60 fps | 240 fps | Poco M6 Pro enables more dramatic slow-motion videos. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Laser autofocus, RAW | 4K Video, OIS, Triple Camera | Poco M6 Pro supports 4K video, optical image stabilization (OIS) and has digital stabilization, while Moto G30 includes Laser AF and RAW output. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 12 | Android 13 | Poco M6 Pro has a more recent Android version out of the box, which translates to newer features and potentially longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac, Dual band | 802.11ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Poco M6 Pro has the same Wi-Fi capabilities as the G30 with additional support for Wi-Fi Display and MiMO technologies |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Poco M6 Pro has a more recent Bluetooth version and supports more audio codecs, resulting in better audio quality on wireless headphones. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco M6 Pro supports more satellite systems, potentially leading to slightly better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Poco M6 Pro offers substantially more storage options, allowing more photos, videos and apps to be stored. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Poco M6 Pro offers substantially more RAM, allowing for more and faster multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco M6 Pro delivers a far superior audio experience with spatial sound, high-quality playback, and stereo speakers for richer sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both devices offer basic biometric fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco M6 Pro provides superior screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Poco M6 Pro has a more comprehensive sensor suite that includes a compass and Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro and Wide Angle Lens: Offers more camera versatility, allowing for more specific shot types.
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): Can provide faster focusing in some situations compared to standard PDAF.
- RAW image capture: Provides more editing flexibility for enthusiasts.
- Wider aperture on the main camera: Slightly better low-light performance.
Practical Implications: The Moto G30 appeals to users who enjoy photography and need extra flexibility in different scenarios.
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness for a visually superior experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: Offers better app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: Reduces downtime with 67W fast charging.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Provides more space for apps/media and smoother multitasking.
- More advanced audio features: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers.
- Better Video Recording: Includes EIS for video stabilization, and supports a higher frame rate in slow-motion.
- Newer Android OS: Offers a more up-to-date user experience, potentially longer software support.
- Better Screen Protection: Offers Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Practical Implications: The Poco M6 Pro delivers a much smoother and more enjoyable overall user experience, excelling in content consumption, gaming, and everyday tasks.
Trade-offs:
- Moto G30 trades performance, display quality, and charging speed for a more versatile camera system and RAW support.
- Poco M6 Pro sacrifices the dedicated macro and wide angle cameras, as well as LAF for a much more powerful all-around experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal User:
- Users on a tight budget who prioritize versatile camera features over performance.
- Those who frequently use wide-angle, macro, and/or RAW image capture.
- Users who don't play demanding games or need high display quality.
- Users who prefer a basic device that prioritizes camera flexibility over all else.
Use Cases:
- Casual photography using a variety of lenses
- Documenting close-up subjects with the macro lens
- Editing photos with RAW support
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who value display quality, performance, and battery charging speed over everything else.
- Those who frequently consume media, play games, or multitask.
- Users who want a smoother and more responsive smartphone experience.
- Those who prefer a newer and potentially longer-supported OS.
- Those who want high-quality sound experience.
Use Cases:
- Watching videos and browsing content
- Playing mobile games
- Multitasking with multiple apps
- Enjoying music and movies through headphones or speakers
- Taking quick photos and videos in different scenarios
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco M6 Pro generally offers better value for money, considering its superior display, performance, and charging speed. It provides a smoother, more modern user experience.
- The Moto G30 might be suitable if it is significantly cheaper and you specifically need the additional dedicated cameras.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, media consumption, basic use)
- How important is display quality to me? (Do I need high brightness, contrast, and resolution?)
- What is my budget, and am I willing to sacrifice performance for camera flexibility or vice-versa?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Photography Enthusiast: If you're on a very tight budget and prioritize versatile camera features, the Motorola Moto G30 is suitable, especially if the other features are not important to you. However, be aware you will be sacrificing in many other aspects.
- Performance and Media Lover: If you enjoy gaming, streaming, and multitasking and want a smoother experience, the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro is the clear winner, and the best value overall.
- Everyday User: If you're looking for a well-rounded device that offers a good balance of features, the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro is the superior choice, and the price difference is generally justified by the gains in overall performance and user experience.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro. The superior AMOLED display, faster performance, quicker charging, and better audio experience make it a more enjoyable and versatile device for my daily needs. While I appreciate the extra camera lenses on the Motorola Moto G30, the overall gains of the Poco M6 Pro, especially the performance and display make it a more compelling choice for me. The better software support and screen protection also weigh into this decision. The Poco M6 Pro delivers more value for the price, in my view.
