Okay, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G71 5G and the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. I'll be your guide, translating all these specs into what they mean for your everyday life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table breaking down the key technical differences and what they actually mean for you:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G71 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 73.9 x 8.5 mm | 163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm | The Edge 30 Pro is slightly larger and bulkier, might feel less comfortable in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 179g | 196g | Moto G71 5G feels noticeably lighter, better for long use. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Edge 30 Pro gives a bit more screen real estate, better for media. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp visuals for everyday use. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 393 PPI | Both have similar sharpness, hard to tell difference to the human eye |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Rich colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Pro's display is much smoother, for fluid gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness isn't known, can affect visibility in direct sunlight. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Edge 30 Pro is a performance beast, handling heavy tasks with ease. |
| AnTuTu Score | 396,564 | 1,061,400 | Edge 30 Pro is much faster, better for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 730 | Edge 30 Pro has a much faster GPU, resulting in higher quality in games and videos. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (1/2.76") | 50MP (1/1.55") | Edge 30 Pro's larger sensor captures more light, better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP | 60MP | Edge 30 Pro takes much higher resolution selfies and allows for greater detail when cropping/editing. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | None | Moto G71 5G captures wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP | Edge 30 Pro gets natural background blur in portraits. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | Moto G71 5G can take close-up detail shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP | Edge 30 Pro combines macro and wide angle functionality. |
| Video Recording | 1080p @ 60fps | 8K @ 30fps | Edge 30 Pro shoots in much higher quality and has better slow-motion capabilities. |
| DXOMark Scores | Not Available | 101 Overall, 107 Photo, 102 Video | The Edge 30 Pro has a solid camera, based on DXOMark score, while the Moto G71 5G was not tested. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom | OIS, Ultra stable video | Edge 30 Pro captures stabilized videos, while Moto G71 5G has an optical zoom. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | Moto G71 5G has slightly larger battery, but with slower CPU, may last longer. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Edge 30 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | Edge 30 Pro offers more charging options, even wireless. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Edge 30 Pro gets latest OS sooner with an extra year of updates. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Edge 30 Pro has newer Wi-Fi, offering faster connection speed. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Edge 30 Pro provides better connection quality, more features, and power efficiency. |
| GPS | Standard | Dual-Band | Edge 30 Pro offers more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM usage. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128/256/512GB | Edge 30 Pro comes with higher storage options, more space for files. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | Edge 30 Pro can handle more demanding apps and multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone support extra storage, so consider what you need. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers, 3 mics | Edge 30 Pro has better audio experience with stereo speakers and better microphone setup. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted FP sensor | Side-mounted FP sensor | Edge 30 Pro's side-mounted sensor is more convenient, but similar results for actual use. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 3 | Edge 30 Pro offers more durable screen protection. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Hall sensor | Compass | Edge 30 Pro has more sensors that are used for gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G71 5G Strengths:
- Lighter and More Comfortable: The G71 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Wide Angle and Macro Cameras: It includes dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses, giving you more versatility.
- Larger Battery: While slightly larger battery on paper, the smaller CPU is less power hungry, giving better battery life in practice.
- More Affordable: Generally priced lower than the Edge 30 Pro, making it a budget-friendly option.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip offers significantly better performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: The 144Hz refresh rate makes the user experience incredibly fluid and responsive.
- Better Camera: With a larger main sensor, higher-resolution selfie camera, better video features, and a DXOMark score, the Edge 30 Pro excels in photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: Its 68W charging can fully replenish the battery in a fraction of the time, better for busy lives.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Added convenience for those who need it.
- Better Audio: With stereo speakers and a three-microphone setup, it offers an improved audio experience.
- More Storage Options: Comes with a higher storage capacity for users that need more space for photos, videos, and files.
- More RAM Options: Comes with up to 12GB of RAM for extra demanding users.
Trade-offs:
- Edge 30 Pro: Heavier, more expensive, and no macro or wide angle lens in favor of a combined option.
- Moto G71 5G: Lower performance, slower display, and weaker camera performance.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G71 5G:
- Best For: Budget-conscious users, those who value comfort and long battery life over raw performance, and users that want a wide angle lens and macro lens.
- Use Cases: Casual browsing, social media, everyday photography, and basic gaming.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro:
- Best For: Power users, gamers, photographers, and those who want the most advanced features available, and those that prefer wireless charging.
- Use Cases: High-performance gaming, professional-grade photography and videography, demanding applications, and anyone that wants the smoothest possible experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance for you? If you want seamless gaming and multitasking, the Edge 30 Pro is the way to go. If you only care about casual use, the Moto G71 5G might be fine.
- How important is a better camera? The Edge 30 Pro provides much better photos, video and a higher selfie resolution, while the Moto G71 5G is more basic with additional wide angle and macro functionality.
- What's your budget? The Edge 30 Pro is significantly more expensive, while the G71 is a better choice if you want a great experience for less.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: Choose the Moto G71 5G.
- Power User: Choose the Edge 30 Pro.
- Casual Photographer: Choose the Edge 30 Pro.
- Gamer: Choose the Edge 30 Pro.
- Long Battery Life: The Moto G71 5G may last longer due to its lower power CPU.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two, I would go with the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. While it does come with a higher price tag and slightly less battery on paper, the boost in performance, camera quality, and overall user experience is significant. As a tech journalist and someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks including photography, video editing, and gaming, I would appreciate the faster chip, smoother screen, and higher quality camera. The wireless charging and better sound quality are also important factors for me and worth the higher price.
The Moto G71 5G is a solid phone for the price, but the Edge 30 Pro aligns better with what I want in a modern smartphone, with no compromises on performance and features.
