Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02s vs. Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | The A02s is slightly taller, wider, and thicker, making the Edge 30 Ultra more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 196g | 198.5g | Both phones feel similar in hand; negligible difference in weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | The Edge 30 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Edge 30 Ultra's higher resolution results in sharper text, images, and videos, making it more enjoyable for viewing detailed content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 395 | The Edge 30 Ultra offers a significantly sharper display with much more detail due to the higher pixel density. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | The Edge 30 Ultra's P-OLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast than the A02s's LCD panel. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 30 Ultra’s 144Hz refresh rate results in much smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1250 nits | The Edge 30 Ultra's significantly higher brightness makes it much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Edge 30 Ultra has a far more powerful processor that enables significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 74,800 | 1,231,300 | The Edge 30 Ultra provides drastically higher performance (1546% higher score) making it suitable for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 730 | The Edge 30 Ultra's GPU provides much better graphics performance, significantly improving the gaming experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4610mAh | The A02s has a slightly larger battery, which might offer slightly longer usage on a single charge but is dependent on usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | The Edge 30 Ultra charges significantly faster (125W vs 15W), offering quick top-ups when needed. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 50W Wireless Charging, 10W Reverse Wireless Charging | The Edge 30 Ultra has the added convenience of wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) | 13MP, f/1.8 | 200MP, f/1.95, 1/1.22" Sensor | The Edge 30 Ultra has a much higher resolution sensor capable of capturing more detailed images. |
| Selfie | 5MP, f/2.2 | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sensor | The Edge 30 Ultra captures much sharper and more detailed selfies due to its higher resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto | None | 12MP, f/1.6 | The Edge 30 Ultra provides optical zoom capabilities with the telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" Sensor | The Edge 30 Ultra has a wide-angle lens to capture more of a scene. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A02s has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos, which the Edge 30 Ultra lacks. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A02s has a macro lens for close-up shots, which the Edge 30 Ultra lacks. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@960fps | The Edge 30 Ultra offers far superior video recording capabilities with 8K recording and high-speed slow-motion. |
| Features | Basic | Advanced Camera features | The Edge 30 Ultra offers advanced features such as OIS, 8K video, RAW support, and more manual controls. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 12) | Android 12 (up to 13) | The Edge 30 Ultra has a newer operating system with more features and up-to-date security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Edge 30 Ultra supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.2 | The Edge 30 Ultra uses the newer Bluetooth standard for improved connection stability and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SUPL, Galileo | The Edge 30 Ultra supports more satellite systems for more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support Dual SIM Dual Standby for using two numbers simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB | 128GB/256GB | The Edge 30 Ultra offers much more internal storage, which is good for storing more data. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 8GB/12GB | The Edge 30 Ultra has substantially more RAM, offering much better multitasking and performance for demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Edge 30 Ultra offers better audio quality with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security | Fingerprint Sensor | The Edge 30 Ultra includes a fingerprint sensor for added security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Edge 30 Ultra uses Gorilla Glass 5 for better screen protection against scratches and impact. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Edge 30 Ultra includes more sensors, enabling more features like motion-based gaming and compass apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: The A02s has a slightly larger battery (5000 mAh vs. 4610 mAh), which might translate to marginally longer battery life for basic tasks.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: The A02s includes a dedicated macro and depth sensor, which are missing in the Edge 30 Ultra.
Practical Implications: The A02s is focused on basic functionality at an entry-level price. The slightly bigger battery could appeal to users who need longer battery life throughout the day and do basic photography.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: P-OLED, higher resolution, higher refresh rate (144Hz) and much higher brightness leads to a much better viewing experience.
- Much Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset results in drastically improved speed, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Far Superior Cameras: Much higher resolution primary and selfie cameras, plus a telephoto and ultrawide lens that provides more versatility. The 8K video recording and high frame rate options greatly improve recording quality.
- Faster Charging: 125W fast charging (vs. 15W) allows for much faster battery top-ups, a crucial feature for modern users.
- Advanced Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos provide a significantly better audio experience.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Newer versions of wifi, bluetooth and GPS for more accuracy, speed and stability.
- Wireless Charging: Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging add convenience.
- Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass 5 offers better screen protection.
Practical Implications: The Edge 30 Ultra excels as a high-end smartphone offering a premium experience. Its superior display, performance, camera, and charging are designed for users who demand the best in these categories.
Trade-offs:
- A02s sacrifices performance, display quality, camera capabilities and other features for cost savings.
- Edge 30 Ultra misses dedicated macro and depth sensors for those who want detailed close ups and better portrait effects. The battery, although smaller, may offer similar or slightly lower battery life due to the more powerful processor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02s Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for the most affordable smartphone and are not concerned about high performance or advanced features.
- Basic Users: People who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, simple browsing, and occasional social media.
- First-Time Smartphone Owners: Users new to smartphones who don't need advanced features.
- Users needing a basic secondary phone: A simple and cheap phone to use when needed without needing premium features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Reliable Basic Communication: The A02s is adequate for calls and messages, with decent battery life for basic daily use.
- Simple Entertainment: Capable of watching videos and playing basic mobile games, although not at the highest settings.
- Entry-level Camera use: Take basic photos and videos for sharing with friends and family.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want top-tier performance for gaming, demanding apps, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Lovers: Those who want advanced camera features, including high-resolution photos, versatile lenses, and 8K video.
- Media Consumption Users: Individuals who want a high-quality display for watching videos, browsing, and gaming, with excellent audio quality.
- Tech Savvy Users: Users who appreciate cutting edge features and technology.
Specific Use Cases:
- Demanding Mobile Gaming: The Edge 30 Ultra's fast processor, high refresh rate display, and powerful GPU makes it ideal for gaming.
- Professional Photography/Videography: The high-resolution camera, advanced video features, RAW support and wide range of camera options is useful for content creators.
- Media Consumption on the go: Ideal for watching videos, browsing the internet and streaming media with its high quality display and audio.
- Daily Multitasking: Can handle numerous apps running simultaneously without performance degradation.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A02s excels in the value segment for users with simple needs. The value is good when price is the primary concern.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra provides a premium experience that justifies its higher price for users who value performance, camera quality, and cutting-edge features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A02s is significantly more affordable than the Edge 30 Ultra.
- What is your primary use case? Is it basic communication and light browsing, or demanding gaming, photography and media consumption?
- How important is performance, display quality, and camera quality? The Edge 30 Ultra drastically outperforms the A02s in these areas.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If your budget is limited and you only need a phone for calls, texts, and light social media, the Samsung Galaxy A02s is sufficient.
Scenario 2: Performance and Camera are Paramount: If you need top-tier performance for gaming, extensive multitasking, and excellent camera capabilities, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the clear choice.
Scenario 3: Balanced Performance and Features: If you need a powerful device for daily use and would appreciate a great display, good performance and a top notch camera, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the recommended choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. While the Samsung A02s offers a lower price point, the sheer difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall user experience of the Edge 30 Ultra is too significant to ignore. I value having a smooth user experience, capturing great photos, and having a device that can handle demanding tasks. The much faster charging speed and better audio are also key factors for my needs. The A02s does provide a slightly better battery and dedicated depth/macro sensors. However, the overall improvements in key areas such as the display, camera, and processor make the Edge 30 Ultra a better long-term investment.
