Motorola Moto G23 vs Nokia G42 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia G42
Nokia G42
Nokia

General

Launch Date January 24, 2023 June 28, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 99.66 cm³ 107.56 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.53 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 184.3 g 193.8 g
Height 162.7 mm 165 mm
Width 74.7 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 8.2 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Pearl White
  • Steel Blue
  • Matte Charcoal
  • Red
  • Purple
  • Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.56 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 720 x 1612
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.9 % 82.7 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 269 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 400 nits 560 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 116.19 mAh/in²
Battery Density 50.17 mAh/cm³ 46.49 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
GPU Mali-G52 MC2 Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 13
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola Moto G23Nokia G42Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2165 x 75.8 x 8.6Nokia G42 is slightly larger and thicker.
Weight (g)184.3193.8Nokia G42 is noticeably heavier.
Display
Size (inches)6.56.56Negligible size difference.
Resolution (px)720 x 1600720 x 1612Virtually identical resolution; expect similar sharpness.
Refresh Rate (Hz)9090Both offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Display TypeIPS LCDIPS LCDSimilar visual quality; expect good color accuracy and viewing angles.
Peak Brightness (nits)400 (peak)450 (typ), 560 (peak)Nokia G42 likely offers better visibility in sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G85 (12nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm)Snapdragon 480+ 5G is more power-efficient and offers 5G connectivity.
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Snapdragon 480+ should provide slightly better CPU performance.
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 619Adreno 619 generally offers better gaming performance.
RAM (GB)44/6Nokia G42 offers a 6GB RAM option for better multitasking.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5050Comparable main camera resolution.
Other Cameras5MP Wide, 2MP Macro, 16MP Selfie2MP Depth, 2MP Macro, 8MP SelfieMoto G23 has a higher resolution selfie camera and a wider angle lens, Nokia G42 has a dedicated depth sensor.
Video Recording1080p@30fps1080p@30fpsIdentical video recording capabilities.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50005000Same battery capacity, expect similar battery life.
Fast Charging30W20WMoto G23 charges faster.
OtherNo charger in boxNokia G42 may require a separate charger purchase.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G23 Advantages:

  • Faster Charging: 30W vs 20W.
  • Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 16MP vs 8MP.
  • Ultra-wide Lens: Offers wider field of view for photos.
  • Includes Charger: No need for separate purchase.

Nokia G42 Advantages:

  • 5G Connectivity: Future-proof networking.
  • More Powerful & Efficient Chipset: Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm) offers better performance and battery life compared to Helio G85.
  • 6GB RAM Option: Enables smoother multitasking.
  • Potentially Brighter Display: Nokia G42 has a higher typical and peak brightness.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G23: Users prioritizing fast charging, a better selfie camera, and an ultra-wide lens on a budget. Ideal for social media enthusiasts and casual photographers.

Nokia G42: Users who value 5G connectivity, better overall performance, and longer software support (OS upgrades). Suitable for those who want a future-proof device and smoother multitasking.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Is 5G connectivity essential? If yes, the Nokia G42 is the only option.
  2. How important is camera quality? Moto G23 offers a better selfie camera and an ultra-wide lens. Nokia G42 might offer better overall image processing due to the chipset.
  3. What is your budget and are you willing to buy a separate charger? The Nokia G42 might be slightly more expensive and doesn't include a charger.

My Choice: Nokia G42

While the Moto G23 offers advantages in charging speed and certain camera aspects, I would choose the Nokia G42 due to its 5G connectivity, more powerful and efficient processor, potential for longer software updates, and the availability of a 6GB RAM option. The slightly higher price and lack of an included charger are trade-offs I'm willing to make for the long-term benefits of a more future-proof device and smoother performance. The superior chipset in the Nokia G42 should result in better overall performance and potentially better image processing despite the Moto G23 having a higher resolution front camera. Having 5G ensures faster download/upload speeds and better connectivity in congested areas, a significant advantage in the long run.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.