Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Nokia X30 and the Motorola Moto G35. I'm putting on my tech journalist hat, and we'll get to the heart of what these phones offer for real-world users.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a deep dive into the technical specifications of each phone, focusing on what they mean for your daily usage.
| Feature | Nokia X30 | Motorola Moto G35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 166.3 × 76 × 7.8 mm | The Moto G35 is noticeably taller and slightly wider, while the X30 is a tad thicker. Impacts pocketability and hand feel. |
| Weight | 185g | 188g | Both are virtually the same weight, which makes the difference negligible |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.72" | The Moto G35 has a larger display that may be preferred for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones offer the same level of sharpness, making them similar in terms of clarity |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 392 PPI | Very similar, small difference is unlikely to be noticeable in practice |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The X30's AMOLED provides deeper blacks, higher contrast, and better color vibrancy than the Moto G35's LCD. The X30 is more power efficient in darker modes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G35's 120Hz will offer slightly smoother animations in day-to-day usage, whereas the X30 has a slightly lower refresh rate of 90hz. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | The Moto G35 is dramatically brighter, leading to superior outdoor visibility under sunlight. The X30's brightness isn't specified, but the 1000 nits from the Motorola suggest it wins here. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 695 in the Nokia X30 is a well-known performer in the mid-range, the T760 is less tested against its competitors |
| Antutu Score | 410,072 | 423,297 | Both phones are nearly identical in their performance, making the difference practically negligible. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 | Different GPUs; real-world gaming performance will depend on optimization for specific titles. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64 µm pixel size | Both phones have similar megapixel counts and apertures; the X30's larger pixel size could mean slightly better low-light performance, whereas the Samsung S5KJN1 sensor is a decent performer on the G35. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1.00 µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.45, unknown pixel size | The X30 has a slightly wider aperture for the front camera, which could lead to better selfies in lower-light conditions. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | The Nokia X30 has a much higher resolution wide-angle, but the Motorola has a wider aperture and slightly larger pixel size. The X30 will be able to capture more detail, the G35 will capture slightly brighter images. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, OIS | 4K@30fps, no OIS | The Moto G35 can shoot in 4K, but the X30 has optical image stabilization (OIS) for smoother video at 1080p. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, CDAF, etc | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, etc | Nokia X30 offers better stabilization options and more advanced autofocus; Moto G35 supports 4k Video |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4200mAh | 5000mAh | The Moto G35 has a significantly larger battery, which will translate to longer battery life in most usage scenarios. |
| Charging | 33W, Lithium | 18W, Li-Polymer | The X30 will charge faster due to the higher charging wattage, but the G35 will last longer between charges thanks to a larger battery. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Android 14 | The Moto G35 ships with a newer version of Android, which will likely benefit from better optimization |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ac | The Nokia X30 supports Wi-Fi 6 for better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, APT-x, LDAC | 5.0, LE | The Nokia X30 has a newer Bluetooth version and supports higher quality audio codecs. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | The Moto G35 has the benefit of eSIM support for digital carrier switching, the X30 features dual SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both phones offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4/8 GB | The Nokia X30's base model has more RAM, but the Motorola G35 allows for 8GB, which will be smoother for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards for additional storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Moto G35 has enhanced audio capabilities with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Moto G35 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Nokia X30 offers better screen protection with the superior Gorilla Glass Victus. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Moto G35 has an additional compass, useful for mapping and navigation. |
2. Key Insights
- Nokia X30 Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen offers higher contrast and more vibrant colors.
- Better Camera Features: Optical Image Stabilization, and a higher resolution wide lens makes the X30 a more capable camera in some respects.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging allows for quicker top-ups.
- More Modern Connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
- Stronger Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers much better scratch resistance.
- Motorola Moto G35 Strengths:
- Larger Display: The slightly larger screen is better for media and gaming.
- Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery provides extended usage between charges.
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for better sound quality.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is faster and more convenient.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Nokia X30:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize display quality, camera performance, and faster charging.
- Use Cases: Photography enthusiasts, content creators, users who consume media indoors, and anyone looking for a reliable, all-around phone.
- Tradeoffs: Will need to charge more often, but charging is faster.
- Motorola Moto G35:
- Ideal for: Users who need long battery life, excellent outdoor visibility, and good audio capabilities.
- Use Cases: Frequent travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, music lovers, and those who want a phone that won't die easily during the day.
- Tradeoffs: The screen will not be as vibrant, and the charging is slower.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Do you spend most of your time indoors or outdoors? If outdoors, the Motorola G35 will offer better visibility with its high-brightness screen. If indoors, then the Nokia X30's AMOLED screen might be more appealing.
- Do you prioritize battery life or charging speed? For longer battery life, the Moto G35 is the clear winner. For faster charging times, the Nokia X30 is superior.
- Is audio or camera performance more important to you? The X30 offers a better camera, but the G35 offers better audio.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Photographer: If you like taking photos, the X30’s OIS is hard to ignore, and the wider lens also makes it a decent choice.
- The On-the-Go User: The Moto G35 will be more convenient with its higher brightness and large battery.
- The Media Buff: For media consumption, the AMOLED of the Nokia is great, but you may prefer the louder, richer audio of the Motorola.
My Choice:
If I were choosing, I'd lean towards the Nokia X30. While the Motorola G35 has strong merits, especially its battery life and brighter screen, the Nokia's AMOLED display, superior screen protection, and Optical Image Stabilization in the camera, are too good to pass up. Also, the slightly higher quality connectivity standards are welcome features. My use-case usually prioritizes photography and good indoor media consumption. Although the battery is smaller, the faster charging makes this less of an issue for my use. If, however, I were frequently in very bright conditions, or didn't have access to charging throughout the day, the Motorola G35 would be a much more attractive option.
