Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs Motorola Moto G30 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date August 21, 2020 March 17, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 103.05 cm³ 113.8 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.32 "/g 3.25 "/g
Weight 208 g 200 g
Height 164.8 mm 165.2 mm
Width 77.2 mm 75.7 mm
Thickness 8.1 mm 9.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Mystic Bronze
  • Mystic Black
  • Mystic White
  • Phantom Black (Dark Pearl)
  • Pastel Sky

Display

Screen Size 6.9 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1440 x 3088 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 92.5 % 81.6 %
Pixel Density 496 PPI 269 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 94.52 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.67 mAh/cm³ 43.94 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - Global Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Global Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
GPU Mali-G77 MP11 - Global Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 11
Maximum OS Version 13 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions164.8 × 77.2 × 8.1 mm165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mmNote 20 Ultra is wider and thinner; Moto G30 is thicker but lighter, affecting grip and pocketability.
Weight208g200gMinimal weight difference, unlikely to be noticeable.
Build QualityGorilla Glass VictusUnknownNote 20 Ultra offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops.
Display
Size6.9"6.5"Note 20 Ultra offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking.
Resolution1440x3088720x1600Note 20 Ultra provides much sharper and detailed visuals, noticeably better for reading, viewing images/videos.
Pixel Density496 PPI269 PPINote 20 Ultra's text and images appear significantly crisper.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDNote 20 Ultra offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing visual experience.
Refresh Rate120Hz90HzNote 20 Ultra offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming.
Brightness1500 nits0 nitsNote 20 Ultra offers dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetExynos 990 (7 nm+)Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Note 20 Ultra handles demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming much more smoothly.
AnTuTu Score666,551170,968Note 20 Ultra offers significantly faster performance for all tasks.
GPUMali-G77 MP11Adreno 610Note 20 Ultra provides better graphics performance for gaming and video editing.
RAM8GB/12GB4GB/6GBNote 20 Ultra allows for smoother multitasking and running more apps simultaneously.
Camera
Main Camera108MP64MPNote 20 Ultra captures more detailed photos, especially in good lighting.
Telephoto LensYesNoNote 20 Ultra allows for optical zoom, preserving image quality when zooming in.
Wide Angle Lens12.2MP8MPNote 20 Ultra captures wider scenes with more detail.
ToF 3D SensorYesNoNote 20 Ultra offers better depth sensing for portrait mode and AR applications.
VideoUp to 8KUp to 1080pNote 20 Ultra allows for professional-quality video recording with more detail and flexibility.
Battery
Capacity4500mAh5000mAhMoto G30 likely offers longer battery life under similar usage conditions.
Charging45W15WNote 20 Ultra charges significantly faster, reducing downtime.
Wireless ChargingYesNoNote 20 Ultra allows for convenient wireless charging.
Reverse ChargingYesNoNote 20 Ultra can charge other devices wirelessly.
Other
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to 13Android 11, upgradable to 12Moto G30 has a slightly more modern OS out of the box, but Note 20 Ultra has better long-term update support.
Expandable StorageNoNoNo option to increase storage on either device.
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital PlusBasic audio featuresNote 20 Ultra offers enhanced audio for a more immersive experience.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness offer a significantly better visual experience.
    • Practical Impact: Better for media consumption, gaming, and outdoor use.
  • Much Higher Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset and more RAM.
    • Practical Impact: Smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
  • Advanced Camera System: Versatile camera setup with telephoto lens, ToF sensor, and 8K video recording.
    • Practical Impact: Better image quality, more zoom capabilities, and professional-grade video recording.
  • Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Offers faster wired and wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging.
    • Practical Impact: Reduced downtime and ability to charge other devices.
  • Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus provide a more immersive sound experience.

Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
    • Practical Impact: Can last longer between charges, especially for moderate users.
  • Portrait and Macro Lens: Dedicated lenses to take portrait and macro shots.
  • Later Launch Date: A more recent phone with a more up-to-date software.
  • More Affordable: Significantly lower price point.
    • Practical Impact: Makes it accessible to budget-conscious users.

Trade-offs:

  • Note20 Ultra: Higher price, no expandable storage.
  • Moto G30: Lower performance, inferior display and camera, slower charging.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G:

  • Ideal User: Power users, professionals, content creators, and mobile gamers.
  • Use Cases:
    • Professional Photography/Videography: 8K video recording, versatile camera system.
    • Mobile Gaming: High-performance chipset, 120Hz display.
    • Productivity: Multitasking, large and vibrant display.
    • Media Consumption: High-resolution AMOLED display with excellent audio.

Motorola Moto G30:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, students, or anyone needing a reliable phone for basic tasks.
  • Use Cases:
    • Everyday Communication: Calls, texts, and social media.
    • Basic Photography: Casual photos in good lighting conditions.
    • Long Battery Life: Users who prioritize battery over performance.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • Note20 Ultra: High price, but justifies it with premium features and performance.
  • Moto G30: Excellent value for basic users on a tight budget.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Note20 Ultra is significantly more expensive.
  2. How important is performance and display quality to you? If these are priorities, the Note20 Ultra is the clear winner.
  3. What are your primary use cases for the phone? Basic communication vs. demanding tasks like gaming or content creation.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget is not a concern, and you want the best possible performance and features: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G.
  • Scenario 2: You're on a tight budget and only need a phone for basic tasks: Choose the Motorola Moto G30.
  • Scenario 3: You value battery life above all else, but still want decent performance: Consider other options in the mid-range category that offer a better balance of battery and performance than the Note20 Ultra.

Decision

If budget wasn't an issue, I'd pick the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G. The significantly better display (AMOLED, higher resolution, higher refresh rate), vastly superior performance (chipset, RAM), and much more capable camera system are well worth the premium for someone who uses their phone extensively for media consumption, gaming, and photography. The faster charging and better build quality are also significant advantages. While the Moto G30 offers better battery life, the overall experience provided by the Note20 Ultra is simply in a different league.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.