Galaxy S8 Vs A30 Is Upgrading To The A30 Even Worth It

The Samsung Galaxy S8 was a flagship powerhouse in 2017—sleek design, top-tier display, and solid performance made it a favorite for years. Fast forward to today, and many long-time users are considering an upgrade. The Galaxy A30, released in 2019 as a mid-range device, often comes up as a potential successor. But is stepping down from a flagship to a budget-friendly model actually a smart move? More importantly, does the A30 offer enough improvements to justify replacing a still-functional S8?

This isn't just about specs on paper. It's about real-world usability, longevity, and whether the upgrade brings meaningful benefits or just incremental changes. Let’s take a deep dive into the key differences and see if moving from the S8 to the A30 makes sense in 2024 and beyond.

Design and Build: Premium vs Practical

The Galaxy S8 set a high bar with its glass-and-metal construction, curved edges, and slim profile. It felt premium in hand and turned heads with its near-bezel-less Infinity Display. In contrast, the A30 uses a polycarbonate (plastic) body and a flat Super AMOLED screen. While it retains a modern look with slim bezels, the build quality is noticeably less refined.

However, there's a trade-off: durability. The plastic back of the A30 is more resistant to drops than the fragile glass back of the S8. If you're someone who doesn’t use a case or has a history of cracked screens, the A30’s sturdier build might be a welcome change—even if it lacks the luxury feel.

Tip: If you miss the S8’s sleekness, consider a tempered glass skin or textured case to elevate the A30’s look and grip.

Display Quality: Brightness vs Resolution

The S8’s 5.8-inch Quad HD+ (1440 x 2960) Super AMOLED display remains impressive. Its pixel density delivers sharp text and vibrant colors, ideal for media consumption. The A30, while also using a Super AMOLED panel, steps down to Full HD+ (1080 x 2340) on a slightly larger 6.4-inch screen.

In practical terms, most users won’t notice a dramatic difference in daily use. The A30’s screen is bright, colorful, and excellent for streaming. However, when viewed side by side, the S8’s higher resolution gives it a crisper image, especially when reading small text or viewing high-definition photos.

One advantage the A30 does have: its taller 19.5:9 aspect ratio provides more vertical space, which improves scrolling through social feeds, emails, and web pages.

Performance Comparison: Flagship Power vs Everyday Efficiency

This is where the gap becomes more apparent. The S8 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (or Exynos 9810 in some regions), a true flagship chipset from its era. Even now, it handles basic multitasking, apps, and casual gaming with relative ease—especially if the device is well-maintained.

The A30, meanwhile, uses the Exynos 9610—a mid-range processor built on a 10nm process. On paper, it’s newer and more power-efficient, but it doesn’t match the raw performance of the 835. Benchmarks show the S8 outperforming the A30 in CPU-intensive tasks, though real-world usage tells a different story.

For everyday functions like browsing, messaging, and video calls, the A30 performs smoothly thanks to lighter software (Android One-like experience with fewer bloatware apps). However, heavy multitasking or gaming can expose its limitations. Users upgrading from the S8 may find app reloads more frequent due to the A30’s smaller RAM (4GB vs 4GB, but better memory management on S8).

“Flagship chips age more gracefully. An S8 today still feels snappier than many budget phones two generations newer.” — Raj Mehta, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse

Battery Life and Charging: Where the A30 Shines

If there’s one area where the A30 clearly wins, it’s battery life. The S8 packs a 3000mAh battery, which was adequate in 2017 but struggles to last a full day with modern app demands. The A30, on the other hand, houses a 4000mAh cell—over 30% larger capacity.

Combined with the more efficient Exynos 9610 and optimized software, the A30 regularly delivers 1.5 to 2 days of moderate use. This is a significant upgrade for anyone tired of charging multiple times a day.

Charging speed is another win: the A30 supports 15W fast charging (though often shipped with a 10W charger), while the S8 only supports 15W with Adaptive Fast Charging. In practice, both charge at similar speeds, but the A30 reaches full capacity from empty much faster due to its superior endurance-to-charge ratio.

Camera Capabilities: Dual Lenses vs Single, But Does It Matter?

The S8 features a single 12MP rear camera with Dual Pixel autofocus and f/1.7 aperture—still capable of producing excellent photos in good lighting. Its image processing is mature, consistent, and reliable. Low-light performance holds up reasonably well.

The A30 introduces a dual-camera setup: a 16MP main sensor and a 5MP ultra-wide lens. While the addition of an ultra-wide seems like an upgrade, the reality is mixed. The primary sensor lacks optical image stabilization and uses a narrower f/1.9 aperture. Image quality in daylight is decent but softer than the S8. In low light, noise becomes noticeable, and dynamic range suffers.

The ultra-wide lens adds versatility for landscapes or group shots, but its lower resolution and distortion make it more of a novelty than a necessity. For most users, the S8’s single camera still produces more balanced, natural-looking photos.

On the front, the A30’s 16MP selfie camera beats the S8’s 8MP shooter in detail and clarity, especially in well-lit environments.

Software and Longevity: Security Updates and Android Versions

Here’s a critical consideration: software support. The Galaxy S8 officially stopped receiving major Android updates after Android 10 and security patches ended in 2021. While it can still run most apps, newer versions of Android introduce performance optimizations, privacy controls, and compatibility features that the S8 no longer benefits from.

The A30 launched with Android 9 and received updates up to Android 11, with security patches until late 2022. While not outstanding, this gives it a slight edge in recent software exposure. However, neither phone will receive future updates, so both are effectively frozen in time from a software standpoint.

That said, the A30’s cleaner software experience (fewer pre-installed apps and smoother interface) makes it feel more modern despite the older OS version.

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria has used her Galaxy S8 since 2017. It still works, but she charges it twice a day, the camera struggles in dim lighting, and apps like WhatsApp sometimes crash. She considered the A30 because it was affordable and had a bigger screen and battery.

After switching, she loved the all-day battery and found the larger screen helpful for reading. However, she noticed Instagram took longer to load and games like Candy Crush occasionally stuttered. Photos weren’t as crisp, especially indoors. Ultimately, she appreciated the battery boost but missed the S8’s responsiveness.

Her solution? She kept the A30 as a secondary phone for travel and gave the S8 to her teenager, who doesn’t need cutting-edge performance.

Comparison Table: Galaxy S8 vs Galaxy A30

Feature	Galaxy S8	Galaxy A30
Release Year	2017	2019
Display	5.8\" QHD+ AMOLED	6.4\" FHD+ AMOLED
Processor	Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 9810	Exynos 9610
RAM	4GB	4GB
Battery	3000mAh	4000mAh
Rear Camera	12MP (f/1.7)	16MP + 5MP Ultra-Wide
Front Camera	8MP	16MP
Software Support	Ended (Android 10)	Ended (Android 11)
Water Resistance	IP68	None
Fingerprint Sensor	Rear (flawed placement)	Rear (better positioned)

Upgrade Checklist: Is the A30 Right for You?

• ✅ You prioritize battery life over performance
• ✅ You want a larger screen for media and reading
• ✅ Your current S8 battery dies before lunchtime
• ✅ You don’t play graphics-heavy games
• ✅ You’re on a tight budget and need a functional phone
• ❌ You rely on smooth multitasking or fast app launches
• ❌ You take a lot of photos in low light
• ❌ You want long-term software support

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Galaxy A30 replace a Galaxy S8 in 2024?

Yes, but with compromises. The A30 offers better battery and a larger screen, but lags in performance and camera quality. It’s suitable for light users who value endurance over speed.

Is the A30 faster than the S8?

No. Despite being newer, the A30’s mid-range processor and software optimization can’t match the S8’s flagship chip in sustained performance. App launches and multitasking are generally slower on the A30.

Should I keep my S8 or upgrade?

If your S8 still holds a charge and runs smoothly, it may be better to keep it or consider a more powerful used flagship (like an S10 or Note 9). Upgrading to the A30 only makes sense if battery life is your top pain point.

Final Verdict: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Upgrading from the Galaxy S8 to the A30 isn’t a straightforward improvement—it’s a shift in priorities. You’re trading peak performance and camera quality for better battery life and a larger display. For users who spend most of their time on messaging, social media, and occasional videos, the A30 delivers solid value. But for those who appreciate speed, photo quality, and a premium feel, the S8 still holds its ground.

If you’re seeking a true upgrade, consider looking at refurbished mid-tier models from 2020 onward, such as the Galaxy A51 or S10e, which offer better balance between performance, battery, and software support.

🚀 Ready to make a smart upgrade? Assess your actual needs—battery, speed, camera—and choose based on how you use your phone, not just the price tag. Share your experience below: did you jump from S8 to A30? Was it worth it?