The Motorola One Macro and Samsung Galaxy A30s represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take different approaches. The Motorola prioritizes a dedicated macro camera, while the Samsung focuses on a more balanced feature set with a slightly faster charging solution. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a generally smoother experience, the Motorola One Macro emerges as the better choice. Its 110-hour endurance rating and efficient Helio P70 chipset outweigh the A30s' faster 15W charging, especially considering the A30s' slightly less optimized CPU configuration.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 09. Released 2019, October 12 | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.6 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.20 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.8 mm (6.24 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 96.7 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm) | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, AF |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 25 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60/120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Blue | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | PAGS0005IN | SM-A307F, SM-A307FN, SM-A307G, SM-A307GN, SM-A307GT |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.43 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.62 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 194.02 |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 269.99 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 120.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 110h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1733:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 80dB | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 139869 (v7), 159405 (v8)
GeekBench: 5763 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Motorola One Macro
- Exceptional 110-hour battery endurance
- Potentially better single-core performance with Helio P70
- Dedicated macro camera for close-up photography
- Slower 10W charging
- Limited camera details beyond macro lens
Samsung Galaxy A30s
- Faster 15W wired charging
- Available in multiple storage/RAM configurations
- Samsung brand recognition and ecosystem
- Less efficient 14nm Exynos 7904 chipset
- No specified battery endurance rating
Display Comparison
The Motorola One Macro boasts a contrast ratio of 1733:1 and a measured peak brightness of 442 nits. While the A30s’ display specifications aren’t provided, the Motorola’s contrast ratio suggests a reasonably vibrant picture. The 442 nits brightness is adequate for indoor use, but may struggle in direct sunlight. Without comparable data for the A30s, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Motorola’s measured brightness provides a concrete benchmark. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and lack high refresh rates.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but details are sparse. The Motorola One Macro’s name implies a focus on macro photography, suggesting a dedicated macro lens. However, without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess its image quality. The Samsung Galaxy A30s lacks specific camera details, making a direct comparison impossible. Given the price point, both likely rely on software processing to enhance image quality, and image quality will likely be similar in good lighting conditions. The Motorola's dedicated macro lens is its key differentiator, appealing to users interested in close-up shots.
Performance
The Motorola One Macro is powered by the Mediatek Helio P70 (12nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a configuration of 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Samsung Galaxy A30s utilizes the Exynos 7904 (14nm) with a different core arrangement: 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53. The Helio P70’s more aggressive Cortex-A73 cluster suggests potentially better single-core performance, while the Exynos 7904’s larger number of efficiency cores could contribute to better sustained performance under lighter loads. However, the 14nm process of the Exynos 7904 is less efficient than the 12nm process of the Helio P70, potentially leading to more heat generation and throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
The Motorola One Macro shines with an impressive endurance rating of 110 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. This is coupled with 10W wired charging. The Samsung Galaxy A30s offers 15W wired charging, a faster rate, but lacks a specified endurance rating. While 15W charging is quicker, the A30s’ battery capacity isn’t specified, and the faster charging speed may not fully compensate for a potentially smaller battery. The Motorola’s longer endurance rating suggests it can comfortably last a full day, even with moderate to heavy use, making it a better choice for users prioritizing longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola One Macro if you need exceptional battery life and a dedicated macro camera for close-up photography. It’s ideal for users who frequently travel or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A30s if you prefer a slightly faster charging experience and a more readily available brand ecosystem, and are willing to trade some battery endurance for it. It suits users who prioritize quick top-ups and are already invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7904 in the Samsung Galaxy A30s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7904, built on a 14nm process, is known to generate more heat than newer, more efficient chipsets. While it can handle casual gaming, extended sessions with demanding titles may lead to noticeable throttling and reduced performance. The Motorola One Macro’s Helio P70, on a 12nm process, is likely to manage heat more effectively.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Motorola One Macro actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
While 2MP sensors generally lack detail, a dedicated macro lens allows for significantly closer focusing distances than standard smartphone cameras. This enables capturing detailed close-up shots of small objects, like flowers or insects, which is difficult to achieve with the main camera. It's a niche feature, but genuinely useful for macro photography enthusiasts.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Motorola One Macro with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, a full charge from 0% on the Motorola One Macro will likely take around 3-4 hours. While slower than the A30s’ 15W charging, the phone’s exceptional battery endurance means you may not need to charge it daily.
