Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Motorola Moto E30 and the Samsung Galaxy A04s are two contenders vying for the budget phone crown. But which one truly delivers the best experience for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s emerges as the clear winner, offering a significantly better chipset, improved camera capabilities, and faster charging. While the Moto E30 is cheaper, the A04s' overall performance and features justify the slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 03 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 03 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 9.1 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | Water repellent design | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2xX.x GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T700 | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mineral gray, Digital blue | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | XT2158-6 | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | About 160 EUR | € 133.89 |
| SAR EU | 0.26 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1614:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.3 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 145123(v9)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto E30
- Very affordable
- Clean Android experience
- Decent battery life
- Weak chipset
- Low brightness display
- Slow charging
- Basic camera
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Better performance (Exynos 850)
- Brighter display
- Improved camera
- Faster charging
- Long battery life
- Slightly more expensive
- Samsung's One UI can be divisive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a brighter display (389 nits vs. likely lower on the E30) and a similar contrast ratio (1614:1). While both are likely LCD panels, the A04s' brightness advantage makes it more usable outdoors. The E30's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy of the A04s.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A04s has a clear advantage in the camera department. While specific megapixel counts are not the only factor, the Exynos 850's image signal processor (ISP) allows for better image processing and overall photo quality. The E30's camera is functional but produces less detailed and vibrant images.
Performance
Here's where the A04s truly shines. The Exynos 850 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc T700 in the E30. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive experience on the A04s. The E30 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones offer impressive battery life, with the Galaxy A04s achieving an endurance rating of 114 hours. The Moto E30's battery life is also good, but likely falls short of the A04s. The A04s also benefits from 15W charging versus the E30's 10W, meaning faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto E30 is ideal for users on the tightest budget who primarily need a basic phone for calls, texts, and light social media use. The Samsung Galaxy A04s is a better choice for those who want a smoother experience, a better camera, and longer battery life, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto E30 good for gaming?
The Moto E30's chipset is not ideal for demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and low frame rates. The Galaxy A04s is a better choice for casual gaming.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers longer software update support than Motorola, so the Galaxy A04s is likely to receive updates for a longer period.
