Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs. Motorola Edge 30
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 159.4 x 74.2 x 6.8 mm | Motorola Edge 30 is more compact and significantly thinner, making it easier to handle and pocket. |
| Weight | 193g | 155g | Motorola Edge 30 is much lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Minimal difference in screen size; both provide ample screen real estate for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Motorola Edge 30 offers a much sharper display with significantly more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 405 | Motorola Edge 30's higher pixel density results in clearer text, images, and smoother visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, making media look good. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 30 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more fluid and responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. Without brightness data it is impossible to compare in bright scenarios. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G (8nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Motorola Edge 30 offers significantly faster processing and improved overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 609,900 | Motorola Edge 30 is much more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | Motorola Edge 30 has a more powerful GPU, leading to better graphics performance, especially for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a larger battery that may last longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Motorola Edge 30 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime waiting for the phone to power up. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | Motorola Edge 30 has a slightly higher resolution, larger sensor, and bigger pixels potentially leading to better low-light performance |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | 32MP, f/2.25, 0.70µm | Motorola Edge 30 has higher resolution but smaller pixels, while Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has wider aperture |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Portrait Depth | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has higher resolution sensor for portrait shots |
| Macro lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | None | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a dedicated Macro lens for detailed close up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Motorola Edge 30 has a combined wide-angle and macro lens for versatile photography |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS | Both offer 4K video recording, Motorola Edge 30 has image stabilization and HDR options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Motorola Edge 30 has a more recent Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Up to Wi-Fi 5 | Up to Wi-Fi 6 | Motorola Edge 30 offers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Motorola Edge 30 has a newer Bluetooth version with better energy efficiency and some advanced codec support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB | 128GB or 256GB | Motorola Edge 30 offers the option of double the storage, which is useful for media storage and app usage. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | Both have options with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards, storage is limited to built-in capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Motorola Edge 30 has better audio with higher quality output and voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola Edge 30 uses a superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Comprehensive sensor suite for both phones |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers a 5000mAh battery, potentially providing longer battery life, beneficial for users who are often away from a charger.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro Lenses: Provides more versatility for photography with dedicated lenses for different types of shots.
Motorola Edge 30 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Features a much faster processor (Snapdragon 778G+), translating to a smoother experience with apps, multitasking, and gaming.
- Sharper and Smoother Display: Offers a higher resolution and refresh rate, providing a more enjoyable viewing experience with sharper visuals and more fluid animations.
- Faster Charging: Supports 33W fast charging, significantly faster than the A42 5G's 15W charging.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and two microphones for superior audio output and voice capture.
- More Storage Options: Available with up to 256GB of storage, beneficial for those with large media libraries or who frequently install many apps.
- Superior Screen Protection: Comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for better scratch and damage protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A42 5G trades faster performance and a superior display for a larger battery and more versatile camera lenses. The Motorola Edge 30 prioritizes performance and media consumption at the expense of a larger battery and some dedicated camera lens capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is ideal for:
- Users with Long Battery Needs: People who prioritize battery life and need a phone that can last through a full day or more on a single charge without frequent charging.
- Casual Photographers: Individuals who want versatile camera options like a wide-angle and macro lens for different types of shots, without the need for top-tier image quality.
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Users who prioritize affordability and essential smartphone functionalities over advanced features like high performance and refresh rate.
Use Cases:
- Heavy social media users, basic navigation, casual gaming, users who want the option to take a variety of shots, or anyone who needs to be able to go long periods between charges.
Motorola Edge 30 is ideal for:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Individuals who prioritize speed and responsiveness for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Media Consumers: Users who frequently watch videos, play games, or browse content and want a sharp, smooth, and immersive visual experience.
- Users Who Value Premium Audio: Those who listen to music and podcasts or watch videos often and want high quality speakers, spatial audio, and good voice capture.
- Users who Value Quick Charging: Individuals who don't have time to wait for their phone to charge and would rather be able to quickly top up their phone.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gamers, regular media streamers, individuals who use their phones for work, users who value fast charging, or people who value a crisp, smooth display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my main priority: Battery life or Performance?
- If you need the longest battery life, the Samsung A42 5G is better. If you want the best performance, display quality and fast charging, choose the Motorola Edge 30.
- How important is display quality and smoothness to my daily use?
- If a sharp, smooth display is essential, the Motorola Edge 30 is superior. If you are okay with a lower resolution and refresh rate, then the Samsung A42 5G will be sufficient.
- Do I need wide-angle and macro camera lenses, or are other factors more important?
- If you need the versatility of multiple dedicated camera lenses, the Samsung A42 5G offers them. If you want high-quality photo and video performance and stabilization without the need for those specific features, the Motorola Edge 30 is a better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a Casual User Primarily Concerned with Battery Life: The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is the better choice, offering good enough performance with long battery life, although the display experience will be sub-par to the Motorola Edge 30
- For a User Who Values Performance and Multimedia: The Motorola Edge 30 is the better option with its smooth display, faster performance, high-quality audio and fast charging making it a superior phone for these purposes.
- For a User Who Needs Both Good Battery Life and Good Performance: Neither phone clearly excels in both aspects simultaneously. However, the Motorola Edge 30 provides fast charging to mitigate the smaller battery.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30. While the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G does offer a larger battery, the advantages of the Motorola Edge 30 are more impactful for my personal use case. The smoother display, faster performance, superior audio, and quicker charging would enhance my daily mobile experience significantly. I tend to use my phone for media consumption and gaming more than just basic tasks, and the Motorola Edge 30 is clearly superior for this purpose. While the battery might be slightly smaller, the fast charging capability is a welcome addition to quickly mitigate the battery issues. I value the overall responsiveness and fluidity of the phone more than slightly longer battery life, and I prioritize superior display and audio. The lack of a dedicated wide angle lens on the Motorola edge 30 is a non-issue for my needs due to the combination wide angle + macro lens it offers.
