Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G73 and the vivo V30. We'll get past the spec sheet and into the real-world, where these phones either shine or fall short.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specs, organized to make sense of the technical jargon, complete with real-world implications:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G73 | vivo V30 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Launch Date | 2023-01-24 | 2024-03-04 | The vivo V30 is significantly newer, potentially offering better long-term software support and newer tech. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones; no foldables here. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.8 x 8.3 mm | 164.4 x 75.1 x 7.5 mm | The vivo V30 is taller and wider but significantly thinner; the Moto G73 will feel a bit more "chunky" in hand. |
| Weight | 181g | 186g | The Moto G73 is slightly lighter, but the 5g difference is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | vivo V30 offers a more immersive viewing experience thanks to the slightly larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1260 x 2800 | The vivo V30 delivers much sharper visuals with significantly more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 405 ppi | 453 ppi | vivo V30's higher pixel density leads to finer details and crisper text. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | vivo V30's AMOLED screen provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors; great for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The vivo V30's chipset is more advanced (4nm vs 6nm) and more powerful, leading to smoother performance and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 497,466 | 866,863 | The vivo V30 delivers significantly faster performance in demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | IMG BXM-8-256 | Adreno 720 | vivo V30 has a more powerful GPU resulting in better graphics performance, especially in games. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both should provide a full day's usage for most users. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | vivo V30 charges much faster, which is a huge convenience for those always on the go. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard feature for most smartphones nowadays. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8, 1.00µm | 50MP f/1.88, 1/1.55" sensor, 1.00µm | Slightly wider aperture on the Moto G73, but larger sensor on the vivo V30 may give it a slight low-light advantage. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.4, 1.00µm | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm | The vivo V30 has a vastly superior selfie camera in terms of resolution and low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2, 1.12µm | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm | The vivo V30's wide-angle camera has a much higher resolution and wider aperture, resulting in superior images. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30fps with EIS | vivo V30 offers higher-resolution video recording and better image stabilization, ideal for capturing better video content. |
| Camera Features | Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Front Flash, Night Mode | Optical Stabilization (OIS), Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW | vivo V30 features OIS and RAW capture, whereas Moto G73 has special video mode and night mode; it depends on user preference. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14 | vivo V30 launches with a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Dual band, Wi-Fi MiMO | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Moto G73 offers slightly more advanced WiFi features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 LE | 5.4 | vivo V30 has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Moto G73 supports more satellite systems, potentially offering better location accuracy in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256 GB | 128GB, 256GB or 512 GB | The vivo V30 offers a larger 512 GB option for those who need more storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | vivo V30 has a 12 GB RAM option, ideal for heavy users that run many applications at the same time. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, a bit of a letdown. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Basic audio features | Moto G73 has slightly more advanced audio features with Dolby Atmos and stereo speaker. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both have fingerprint sensors, but Moto G73 has it side mounted. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Features | Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | vivo V30 has more sensors. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have unknown screen protection. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G73:
Strengths:
- Potentially better GPS accuracy with more satellite support.
- Enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- Slightly wider aperture on the main camera.
- Side mounted fingerprint sensor.
Competitive Advantages:
- Good value in the budget segment, offering a balance of features for the price.
- Trade-offs:
- The design may be less appealing than the vivo V30's.
- Lower performance in comparison to the vivo V30.
- Older Android version out of the box.
vivo V30:
Strengths:
- Stunning AMOLED display with high resolution, ideal for media consumption.
- Significantly more powerful processor and better graphics, ideal for gaming and intensive apps.
- Much better camera system, particularly for selfies and video.
- Faster charging.
- Newer Android OS out of the box.
- Larger 512GB storage option and 12 GB RAM option
Competitive Advantages:
- A more premium experience with great display and performance.
- Trade-offs:
- Might be priced higher than the Moto G73.
- Basic audio features compared to the Moto G73.
- Basic Fingerprint sensor compared to side mounted sensor
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G73:
- Best for: Budget-conscious users who value good battery life, solid performance for daily tasks, and a good audio experience. This phone is suitable for users who prioritize cost-effectiveness over cutting-edge features and are content with good overall performance and a better audio experience.
- Use cases: General daily usage, casual social media browsing, listening to music, and watching videos.
vivo V30:
- Best for: Users who prioritize a top-tier display, premium performance, superior camera capabilities, fast charging and always want the newest tech. This device caters to those who want a premium experience and are willing to spend a bit more for high-quality performance and advanced features.
- Use cases: Gaming, media editing, high-quality photography and videography, and users who demand smooth multitasking and high performance.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- What's your priority: budget or performance/premium experience? If the budget is your main concern, the Moto G73 will do the job, if performance and a premium experience is more important the vivo V30 is the better choice.
- How important is the display quality to you? If you frequently watch movies, play games, or browse a lot of images, the vivo V30's AMOLED screen is a clear winner.
- Are you a heavy user of the camera system? If photography and videography are important to you, the vivo V30 will likely be more satisfying due to its superior sensors and OIS for better image stabilization.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user: The Motorola Moto G73 offers a good balance of performance and functionality for daily tasks, it will be perfect for everyday tasks like social media, casual gaming, listening to music, and making calls, without the premium price tag.
- For the tech enthusiast or power user: The vivo V30 is the clear winner, it offers the better specs in most categories, providing a more premium experience and future-proofing for the years to come.
- For the content creator: The vivo V30 stands out due to its 4K video recording, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and overall higher camera quality, making it the ideal choice for creating high-quality photos and videos.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I'd personally go with the vivo V30. The upgraded performance, significantly better display, much better camera system and the faster charging are major factors for me. As a tech journalist, I value devices that offer a smooth, premium experience, and the vivo V30 simply checks more boxes for my personal use case. I would be willing to pay a little extra to enjoy this level of performance, and the superior camera makes it easy to recommend it over the Moto G73.
