Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs. Motorola Edge 20 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-11 | 2021-08-16 | The Motorola is a newer phone, potentially with longer software support and newer features |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 163 x 76 x 8 mm | The Samsung is slightly taller and thicker, but overall similar size. This has minimal effect on portability and hand comfort |
| Weight | 193g | 190g | Both are very similar in weight, so there's no significant difference in terms of how they feel in the hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The Motorola has a slightly larger screen, which can improve the experience of watching videos and playing games |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Motorola's higher resolution means a sharper, clearer display, with crisper text and images |
| Pixel Density | 266 ppi | 385 ppi | The Motorola's higher ppi results in a noticeably sharper image with less pixelation; great for detailed viewing |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; differences are minimal in day-to-day usage |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola’s 144Hz refresh rate provides much smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in games and fast-paced apps |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have an unknown maximum brightness, so comparing them is not possible without further information |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | The Motorola’s chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, better multitasking, and improved gaming performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 813,800 | The Motorola has a much higher benchmark score, which indicates a clear advantage in overall performance |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 650 | The Motorola's GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Samsung has a larger battery that could result in longer usage times, particularly for those who don't have frequent access to a charger |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Motorola charges faster, which means less time waiting for the phone to reach full battery |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | The Motorola can also charge other devices wirelessly, which is a useful feature to have |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" | The Motorola has a much higher resolution main camera with a larger sensor, which typically means more detail and better low-light performance |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.3 | The Motorola's higher resolution should lead to better detail in selfies |
| Telephoto | None | 8MP, f/3.4 | The Motorola offers optical zoom, which is great for capturing distant subjects without losing quality, a feature missing on the Samsung |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | The Samsung includes a dedicated wide-angle lens, ideal for group photos and landscapes |
| Portrait | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The Samsung has a depth sensor for better portrait shots with background blur which the Motorola lacks |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The Samsung has a dedicated macro sensor for very close-up photos which the Motorola lacks |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 16MP, f/2.2 | The Motorola has a wide angle + macro lens that can also capture closer photos and landscapes |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/480fps, 720p@480fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/960fps | The Motorola is capable of recording higher resolution videos, plus it is able to record 4K video in 60fps and has better slow-motion capabilities |
| Camera Features | Quad, PDAF | Triple, Optical Zoom, OIS | Motorola has more features for versatile shooting while Samsung has a dedicated portrait lens |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 13) | Android 11 (no max version given) | The Motorola has a newer Android version out of the box, although the Samsung supports up to Android 13 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | The Motorola's newer Wi-Fi standard supports faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | The Motorola's more recent version has better energy efficiency and range, and also offers better quality codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo (L1+L5) | The Motorola has more precise GPS thanks to its support for dual-band GPS |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 128/256 GB | The Motorola has an option for double the storage |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 12 GB | The Motorola has a higher amount of RAM, which leads to better multitasking and smoother app switching |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Features | Basic Features | Both offer the same experience in terms of audio features |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Motorola’s sensor should be quicker and easier to use, offering a more ergonomic way to unlock the device |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Motorola offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Samsung has additional sensors useful for advanced features while both phone share the essential ones |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery potentially provides better endurance for users who value longer battery life.
- Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: The inclusion of dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses provides more creative shooting options.
- Portrait Lens: A dedicated portrait lens with depth sensor offers more refined portrait photography with natural background blur.
- Geomagnetic Sensor: Provides more advanced features for certain apps and activities.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 870 offers much faster processing speeds for better multitasking and gaming.
- Superior Display: A higher resolution, higher pixel density display and 144Hz refresh rate results in a sharper, smoother visual experience.
- Better Camera Quality: The main camera is higher-resolution and includes OIS, and a telephoto lens with optical zoom.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging quickly tops up the battery.
- Better Video: The Motorola records in 8K and 4K at 60fps, plus it can record slow-motion at 960fps.
- Reverse Charging: The phone can wirelessly charge other devices.
- Superior Screen Protection: Offers Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better protection against scratches and drops.
- Faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: It has better wireless standards for superior connectivity
- More RAM and Storage: Has much more RAM at 12 GB and comes with 256 GB of storage.
- Better GPS: Has much more accurate GPS positioning for more accurate navigation.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a better battery life and a more versatile camera with the inclusion of a dedicated wide angle, macro and portrait lens but at the cost of performance, display and build quality.
- The Motorola Edge 20 Pro boasts significantly better performance, a smoother display and overall better camera quality while sacrificing battery size and dedicated camera sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A42 5G:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who want a 5G phone that still provides decent battery life,
- Casual photographers: Those who like to use wide-angle and macro lenses without being professional photographers.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who want a phone that can last longer without charging.
- Users who don't require demanding performance: Suitable for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming.
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Power users and gamers: Those who need a device for intensive tasks, multitasking and demanding games.
- Users who value a high-quality display: Those who enjoy consuming media with high fidelity and refresh rate.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who need better image quality with zoom capabilities and better low-light results.
- Users who value performance: Those who prioritize speed and responsiveness in their device.
Use Cases:
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G:
- Long commutes and travel where battery life is critical.
- Everyday use with basic tasks and social media.
- Users who enjoy casual photography with a wide-angle or macro lens.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Playing graphically intensive games with smooth frame rates.
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos with better zoom capabilities.
- Fast-paced work environments that require a powerful and responsive device.
Price-to-Value: Given the newer chipset, significantly better display, and camera features, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro offers a better value proposition if its performance and camera quality are prioritized. While the Samsung offers a larger battery and more lenses, its hardware is older.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, daily use, etc.)
- How important is display quality to you? (Do you prioritize sharpness and refresh rate?)
- How much do you value battery life vs. performance? (Are you willing to trade battery capacity for speed and responsiveness?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Daily Use with Basic Photography: If you want a reliable phone for everyday use with casual photography and good battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is suitable, especially if budget is a constraint.
Scenario 2: Gaming and Demanding Tasks: If you are a heavy gamer or need a high-performance phone for resource-intensive tasks, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is the much better choice because of the superior chipset, RAM and refresh rate.
Scenario 3: Photography and Video: If you want to take high quality photos and videos with optical zoom and 8K capabilities, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is the recommended choice.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Edge 20 Pro.
My reasoning is as follows:
- Performance is Key: For my usage, which involves a mix of productivity, gaming and media consumption, the Snapdragon 870 chipset in the Motorola is significantly more powerful and would provide a much better experience. This impacts day-to-day smoothness, app loading times, and overall fluidity of the operating system.
- Display Quality: The higher resolution display with a higher refresh rate is a must-have. The smoother and sharper visuals of the Motorola would be much more enjoyable when watching videos and playing games.
- Camera Versatility: Although the Samsung has more lenses, the optical zoom and better main camera in the Motorola means better image quality. Plus, its ability to record in 8K and 4K at 60fps would make it a better choice for video recording.
- Longevity: The Motorola Edge 20 Pro's newer technology means it's likely to have a longer software support window.
While I appreciate the Samsung's larger battery and extra camera lenses, the trade-off in performance and display quality is not worth it to me. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro offers a better overall package for a modern user like myself. The faster charging, better Wi-Fi and screen protection are also huge bonuses.
