Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02 vs. Motorola Edge 30 Fusion
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-27 | 2022-09-08 | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is significantly newer, potentially having more up-to-date features and longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 158.5 × 72 × 7.5 mm | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is more compact and slimmer, making it easier to handle and pocket. |
| Weight | 206g | 168g | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.55" | Negligible difference, both have large screens suitable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 270 | 402 | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion’s higher pixel density translates to a more detailed and crisp visual experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has superior display technology, offering better colors, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion offers dramatically smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, particularly in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion offers much better visibility in direct sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has a significantly more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 50,774 | 904,900 | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion delivers much faster performance in day-to-day tasks and demanding applications. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 660 | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion's GPU offers better graphics processing, resulting in smoother and higher-quality gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | The Samsung Galaxy A02 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life for basic tasks, although this may be offset by other factors. |
| Charging | 7.5W | 68W | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP, f/1.9, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00µm | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has a higher-resolution sensor with a slightly wider aperture, capturing more detail and performing better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion takes much higher-resolution selfies, potentially with better quality and more detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion provides a wider field of view, allowing more of a scene to be captured in a single shot. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion offers a dedicated portrait mode for creating depth effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy A02 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@960fps | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion supports much higher video resolutions, enabling professional-grade video content creation, along with significantly higher slow motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Basic | Advanced | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has many more advanced features like OIS, PDAF, and LAF, leading to better image quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 11) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has a newer OS, likely with better features and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion supports newer Wi-Fi standards offering faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.2 | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering more reliable connections and better audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1) | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion supports more satellite systems, providing more accurate and reliable location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32 GB or 64 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion offers significantly more internal storage for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 2 GB, 3 GB or 4 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion offers significantly more RAM, enabling smooth multitasking and better performance for demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion offers a superior audio experience with stereo speakers and dual microphones for better voice clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic | Fingerprint sensor | The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion provides a convenient biometric security option. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion offers a wider array of sensors, enabling more sophisticated features, especially for gaming and AR apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 30 Fusion Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, P-OLED technology, 144Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness offer a much better visual experience.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly more powerful processor and GPU leading to dramatically faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and vastly improved gaming performance.
- Better Camera System: Higher-resolution sensors, dedicated wide-angle and portrait lenses, and advanced features result in much improved image and video quality.
- Faster Charging: The 68W fast charging capability greatly reduces charging time.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers and dual microphones enhance audio experiences.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards
- More RAM and Storage: Up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage greatly improves multitasking and file management.
- More Comprehensive Sensors: Includes a fingerprint sensor along with other key sensors.
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery could offer slightly longer battery life, although it may be offset by the less efficient processor and display.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
- Lower Price: It is likely a much more budget-friendly option.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A02 offers a lower price and slightly larger battery but lacks in almost all other areas, making it a very basic device.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion offers a premium experience at a higher price point but with a smaller battery capacity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02 Ideal User:
- Users on a very tight budget needing a basic phone for calls, texts, and light web browsing.
- Users with very minimal needs and low expectations of performance and features.
- Individuals who prioritize battery life over all other factors and are willing to sacrifice other aspects of user experience to get it.
Use Cases:
- Basic communication and social media use.
- Use as a secondary phone.
- Primary phone for very basic users who do not require much from their smartphone
Motorola Edge 30 Fusion Ideal User:
- Users seeking a high-performance smartphone for gaming, multitasking, and media consumption.
- Users who value a high-quality display and camera experience.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone with a modern design and fast charging.
- Users looking for a modern smartphone experience.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and demanding applications.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Extensive media consumption, including streaming and video playback.
- Heavy multitasking and productivity work.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Samsung Galaxy A02 is a budget option, while the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is much more expensive.
- What are your primary needs? Basic tasks versus demanding tasks and media consumption.
- How important is camera quality, screen quality and performance? The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion excels in these areas, while the Samsung Galaxy A02 is very basic.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Users: If your budget is extremely tight, and you only need the most basic functions, the Samsung Galaxy A02 might suffice. However, prepare for a significantly less enjoyable experience compared to modern smartphones.
- Performance and Experience Driven Users: If performance, display quality, and a good camera are important, the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is the superior choice despite the smaller battery.
- Balanced Users: If you value a balance between price and some performance, you should still avoid the Samsung Galaxy A02. Consider looking at other options within the same price range that will provide a much better experience than what the A02 offers.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would absolutely pick the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion. The difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is astronomical between the two devices. While the Samsung A02 does have a larger battery on paper, the performance gap between the processors will likely lead to similar (or even worse) battery life for more demanding tasks. The massive gap in performance will lead to a much better, faster, and smoother daily experience with the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion. Furthermore, the 144Hz display will make a massive difference in day to day smoothness, and the much brighter panel will make it usable in direct sunlight. Overall the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is simply a much more usable, enjoyable and future-proof device. I also value good photo and video taking capabilities, where the Edge 30 Fusion is far superior. While the A02's macro lens is a nice addition, it simply can not make up for the massive gap in main camera performance. The increased RAM, storage, and significantly faster charging also make a big difference in day to day usability.
The Samsung Galaxy A02 is a very basic device meant for those who simply need a smartphone, and don't care about the day to day experience, or the performance capabilities.
