Looking for a budget-friendly Motorola smartphone? The Moto E22i and Moto G30 are popular contenders, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto G30 emerges as the clear winner. While the E22i is a more recent model, the G30's superior Snapdragon 662 chipset, brighter display, and longer software support make it the better overall choice for most users, despite slightly older hardware.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 16 | 2021, February 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 11 | Available. Released 2021, March 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 74.7 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W / 20W wired (market dependent) |
| Type | Li-Po 4020 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Gray, Winter White | Phantom Black (Dark Pearl), Pastel Sky |
| Models | - | XT2129-1, XT2129-2, PAML0000IN |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.11 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1984:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.7 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 170968 (v8)
GeekBench: 1265 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto E22i
- More recent release
- Potentially slightly lower price
- Clean Android experience
- Weaker chipset
- Lower brightness display
- Less efficient processor
Motorola Moto G30
- Superior performance (Snapdragon 662)
- Brighter display
- Better image processing
- Longer software support (likely)
- Slightly older model
- Potentially higher price (depending on retailer)
Display Comparison
The Moto G30 boasts a significant advantage in display quality. Its 468 nits of brightness is noticeably higher than what we'd expect from the E22i, offering better visibility in sunlight. The contrast ratio, while similar on paper, translates to a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience on the G30. The E22i likely uses a standard LCD panel, while the G30's display is also LCD but tuned better.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer decent camera capabilities for their price range, the Moto G30 likely has a slight edge due to the Snapdragon 662's image signal processor (ISP). Expect slightly better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range on the G30. Both phones likely feature a main sensor around 50MP, but the G30's processing will be superior.
Performance
The Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G30 is a considerable upgrade over the Helio G37 in the E22i. The Snapdragon chipset offers smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The G30's 11nm process also contributes to improved power efficiency compared to the E22i's 12nm process.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Moto G30 achieving an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours. The E22i's battery capacity is likely similar, but the G30's more efficient chipset helps it maintain that exceptional battery performance.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Motorola Moto E22i? Those prioritizing the absolute lowest price and a very recent release date. Who should buy the Motorola Moto G30? Users seeking better performance, a brighter display, and a more robust overall experience, even if it's a slightly older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto E22i worth buying if I'm on a very tight budget?
The E22i can be a decent option if price is your absolute top priority. However, consider stretching your budget for the Moto G30, as the performance improvements are significant.
❓ How long will Motorola support these phones with software updates?
Motorola typically provides 2 years of software updates for their budget phones. The Moto G30, being slightly newer, may receive updates for a longer period.
