Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G vs Motorola Moto G30 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 2, 2020 March 17, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 100 cm³ 113.8 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.42 "/g 3.25 "/g
Weight 190 g 200 g
Height 159.8 mm 165.2 mm
Width 74.5 mm 75.7 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 9.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Cloud White
  • Cloud Lavender
  • Cloud Mint
  • Cloud Navy
  • Cloud Red
  • Cloud Orange
  • Phantom Black (Dark Pearl)
  • Pastel Sky

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.7 % 81.6 %
Pixel Density 407 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 106.51 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45 mAh/cm³ 43.94 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
GPU Adreno 650 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

Design

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S20 FE 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
Dimensions159.8 × 74.5 × 8.4 mm165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mmS20 FE 5G is more compact, potentially easier to handle for some users. Moto G30 is larger, may feel more substantial.
Weight190g200gS20 FE 5G is slightly lighter, less fatiguing during prolonged use.
Build Quality (Screen Protection)Corning Gorilla Glass 3UnknownS20 FE 5G likely offers better scratch and impact resistance for the screen.

Display

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S20 FE 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
Size6.5"6.5"Identical screen size.
Resolution1080x2400720x1600S20 FE 5G has a much sharper display, noticeable in text, images, and video.
PPI407269S20 FE 5G displays finer details and smoother visuals.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDS20 FE 5G offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark mode.
Refresh Rate120Hz90HzS20 FE 5G provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsS20 FE 5G is significantly more usable outdoors in bright sunlight (Motorola brightness is unknown).

Performance

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S20 FE 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)S20 FE 5G offers significantly faster processing speeds, better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
AnTuTu Score623,000170,968S20 FE 5G provides a much smoother and more responsive user experience.
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 610S20 FE 5G has a more powerful GPU, enabling better graphics performance in games and video editing.

Camera

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S20 FE 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
Main Camera12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm)64MP (f/1.7, 0.7µm)Moto G30 has higher resolution for detail in good lighting, but S20 FE 5G's larger pixels may offer better low-light performance.
Telephoto Lens8MP (f/2.0, 1.0µm)NoneS20 FE 5G allows for optical zoom, capturing distant subjects with better clarity.
Ultrawide Lens12MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm)8MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm)S20 FE 5G has higher resolution in ultrawide shots.
Selfie Camera32MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm)13MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm)S20 FE 5G captures more detailed selfies.
Macro LensNone2MP (f/2.4, 1.75µm)Moto G30 allows for close-up macro shots.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fps w/ EISUp to 1080p@60fpsS20 FE 5G can record higher resolution videos with better stabilization.
FeaturesOIS, Optical Zoom, Night ModePDAF, LAF, PanoramaS20 FE 5G offers better stabilization and low-light capabilities. Moto G30 offers faster focusing.

Battery

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S20 FE 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
Capacity4500mAh5000mAhMoto G30 may offer longer battery life on a single charge.
Charging25W Fast Charging15W Fast ChargingS20 FE 5G charges faster, reducing downtime.
Wireless ChargingYes (15W)NoS20 FE 5G allows for convenient wireless charging.
Reverse Wireless ChargingYes (4.5W)NoS20 FE 5G can wirelessly charge other devices.

Software

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S20 FE 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
OS (Initial)Android 10Android 11Moto G30 starts with a newer OS version.
Max OS VersionAndroid 13Android 12S20 FE 5G has one more year of OS upgrades than Moto G30.

Connectivity

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S20 FE 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5S20 FE 5G supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity.
Bluetooth5.0 with advanced codecs5.0S20 FE 5G offers better audio quality with compatible Bluetooth devices.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoS20 FE 5G offers potentially more accurate GPS due to Beidou support.

Storage

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S20 FE 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
Internal128/256 GB64/128 GBS20 FE 5G provides more internal storage, especially in the 256GB variant.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone offers expandable storage, so internal storage is crucial.
RAM6/8 GB4/6 GBS20 FE 5G provides more RAM for smoother multitasking, especially with the 8GB option.

Audio

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S20 FE 5GMotorola Moto G30Practical Impact
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersBasic audio featuresS20 FE 5G offers a better audio experience with wider sound stage, louder sound, and better bass response.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness offer a significantly better viewing experience.
  • Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 865 5G chipset provides much faster processing power for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
  • Better Camera System: Telephoto lens for optical zoom, better video recording capabilities, and features like OIS and Night Mode enhance image and video quality.
  • Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 25W fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging offer more convenient power options.
  • Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos provide a richer audio experience.

Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery may provide longer battery life.
  • Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
  • Lower Price: Likely more affordable than the S20 FE 5G.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the S20 FE 5G means paying more for a superior display, performance, camera, and features, but potentially sacrificing some battery life.
  • Choosing the Moto G30 means saving money and potentially getting better battery life, but sacrificing display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and features like wireless charging.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Ideal Users:

  • Gamers: Demanding games benefit from the powerful processor, GPU, and high refresh rate display.
  • Content Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or browse social media will appreciate the vibrant AMOLED display and smooth scrolling.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: The versatile camera system with optical zoom and OIS provides more creative options and better image quality.
  • Power Users: Those who multitask frequently or use demanding apps will benefit from the faster processor and more RAM.

Specific Use Cases for S20 FE 5G:

  • Playing graphically intensive mobile games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
  • Streaming HDR videos on Netflix or YouTube.
  • Taking photos and videos in various lighting conditions, including low-light environments.
  • Using multiple apps simultaneously without experiencing lag.

Motorola Moto G30 Ideal Users:

  • Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who prioritize affordability over high-end features.
  • Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last all day on a single charge.
  • Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web.

Specific Use Cases for Moto G30:

  • Making phone calls and sending text messages.
  • Browsing the web and checking social media.
  • Taking casual photos in good lighting conditions.
  • Using the phone for GPS navigation on long trips.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. How important is display quality to you? (AMOLED vs IPS LCD, resolution, refresh rate)
  2. What is your budget? (The S20 FE 5G is likely significantly more expensive)
  3. How important are performance and camera capabilities? (Gaming, photography, demanding apps)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget is limited, and battery life is paramount. Choose the Motorola Moto G30.
  • Scenario 2: Performance and display quality are the top priorities. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G.
  • Scenario 3: A balance between price and performance is desired. Evaluate current pricing for both phones; if the S20 FE 5G is within budget, it's still the better choice overall.

My Choice

I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G.

Reasoning:

While the Motorola Moto G30 offers a larger battery and a more budget-friendly price, the advantages of the Galaxy S20 FE 5G are too significant to ignore. The superior display technology (AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate), the significantly more powerful Snapdragon 865 processor, and the more versatile camera system make for a far better overall user experience.

I prioritize performance and display quality in a smartphone because I frequently use my device for gaming, media consumption, and photography. The S20 FE 5G excels in all these areas. Although the battery capacity is slightly smaller, the faster charging capabilities and potential to charge wirelessly (with a compatible charger) mitigate this concern.

In summary, I am willing to pay more for the substantially improved performance, display, and camera capabilities offered by the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G.

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.

Key Strengths:

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