Motorola

Motorola P30 Play: Pros and Cons

Android OS v8.1 (Oreo)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953
Adreno 506
4 GB / 64 GB
5.86 inch (720 x 1520 px)
13 + 2 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Motorola announced the launch of the P30 Play smartphone in 2018. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.86 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The P30 Play series was launched with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. This phone features a high resolution 720 x 1520 px IPS display. The size of screen is 5.86 inch. The P30 Play has a multi-camera setup. The lens offers versatility. It lets you capture a wide range of subjects and scenes from different perspectives. Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Motorola P30 Play smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Motorola P30 Play / 1

Motorola P30 Play specifications

BrandMotorola
NameP30 Play
ModelP30PLAY
Release date2018

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.71 oz
Dimensions5.9 x 2.84 x 0.31 inch
Colorsblack, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Motorola P30 Play is about 5.71 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v8.1 (Oreo)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953
CPUOcta-core 2 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 506

The Motorola P30 Play comes with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.86 inch
Resolution720 x 1520 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.86 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.86 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Motorola P30 Play / 1

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Motorola P30 Play comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage (64 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 + 2 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera8 MP

The P30 Play has a multi-camera setup. It lets you adapt to different photography situations. You can achieve various perspectives and compositions. The P30 Play comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv5.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The P30 Play smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of P30 Play isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass, Dual SIM, Fast charging

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The P30 Play smartphone has an accelerometer. The P30 Play phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Motorola phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • multicamera setup
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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