1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 158.5 x 72 x 7.5 mm | Motorola is more compact and easier to handle; Samsung is larger and slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 193g | 168g | Motorola is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long-term use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.55" | Very similar screen sizes; negligible difference in practical use. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Motorola has a much sharper display with significantly more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 402 | Motorola offers noticeably clearer text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; minimal practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola provides much smoother scrolling and animations; more fluid gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Motorola screen is much easier to see outdoors under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | Motorola's chipset is much more powerful, leading to faster app loading and better performance in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 904,900 | Motorola performs significantly better in benchmarks, indicating substantially faster overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 660 | Motorola has a much more powerful GPU for graphics intensive tasks, such as gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | Samsung has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Motorola charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00µm | Motorola has a larger sensor with bigger pixels for better low-light performance, in addition to slightly higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | Motorola has significantly higher resolution and might be better for social media posting of photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Motorola offers a much higher resolution wide angle camera for better landscape photos. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Samsung has higher depth sensor resolution. Motorola has slightly better light capture thanks to the bigger pixel size, however, might not be a noticeable difference |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | Not present | Samsung has dedicated macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | Motorola records higher resolution video with more frame rate options. |
| Video Stabilization | No | EIS | Motorola offers electronic image stabilization, minimizing video shake. |
| Slow Motion | 480 fps | 960 fps | Motorola offers smoother and slower slow motion recordings. |
| Other Features | Quad Camera, PDAF | Triple Camera, OIS, LAF, RAW, Night Mode, PDAF | Motorola has OIS for less blurry photos and videos, night mode for low-light pictures, laser autofocus, and raw image capture capability. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 13) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Motorola has a newer OS out of the box. Both will receive upgrades to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Motorola supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and better connectivity, especially in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Motorola has a newer, more power-efficient Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1) | Motorola has more precise GPS and has faster location locks with added dual band GPS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB | 128/256GB | Motorola has an optional larger storage capacity. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 8/12GB | Motorola has a higher RAM configuration available, making it better for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Motorola delivers better sound quality, spatial audio and clarity thanks to the additional hardware and Dolby audio enhancement. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security through fingerprint sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life for users who prioritize endurance.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro camera provides close up, detailed photos.
- Lower cost May be more affordable for budget-conscious users.
Practical Implications: The Samsung is more suited to users that need a phone that lasts for a long time.
Motorola Edge 30 Fusion Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness result in a much more vibrant, sharp, and smooth display.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 888+ chipset offers substantially faster performance for all tasks, especially demanding games and applications.
- Faster Charging: 68W fast charging drastically reduces charging time.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution sensors (main, selfie, wide-angle), optical image stabilization, and more advanced features like 8k video and RAW image capture.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos provide a richer audio experience.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the latest WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Lighter Design: More ergonomic for one-handed use and extended periods.
- Newer Software: Launched with a more up-to-date version of Android.
Practical Implications: The Motorola is better for users who need a high-performance device for gaming, photography, and media consumption.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung: Trades performance, screen quality, and camera features for a larger battery and lower price.
- Motorola: Trades battery capacity for significantly better overall performance and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A42 5G:
- Budget-conscious users who need a 5G phone and prioritize battery life.
- Individuals who don't need high-end performance or high-quality camera features.
- Users that prefer a more budget friendly device
Use Cases:
- Basic social media, web browsing, and video streaming.
- Long periods away from a power outlet, such as camping or extended trips.
- Casual mobile gaming and basic productivity tasks
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 30 Fusion:
- Users who prioritize performance, high-quality display, and advanced camera features.
- Mobile gamers and social media users who demand the best possible experience.
- Content creators who need the ability to capture high-resolution photos and videos.
- Users that frequently use their phone for work purposes
- Users that do lots of outdoor activities
- Users who want better audio quality
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming with smooth graphics and quick response times.
- Capturing high-quality videos and photographs in a range of scenarios.
- Media consumption of high-resolution videos and content.
- Demanding productivity tasks like video editing or intense multitasking.
- Better connectivity when using public Wi-Fi
Price-to-Value:
- Samsung: The A42 5G offers good value if budget is the primary concern.
- Motorola: The Edge 30 Fusion delivers superior performance and features for a higher price tag.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Samsung is likely more affordable.
- How important are display quality and performance? The Motorola excels in these areas.
- How important is battery life vs. fast charging? The Samsung has longer battery life, but the Motorola has much faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If price is the driving factor and you need 5G connectivity and longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is a decent choice.
- Performance-Oriented User: If you want the best performance, display, camera, and features for gaming, multimedia, and general use, the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is the clear winner.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion's camera features and superior video quality make it the better choice for photography and videography.
- Casual User: If battery is the primary concern and you will do very little demanding tasks the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G would be a better budget friendly option.
Which Phone Would I Choose and Why?
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion. While the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G offers a larger battery, the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is superior in almost every other aspect that matters for my personal use. The significantly faster chipset, combined with the much better display (higher resolution, smoother refresh rate, and better brightness), would greatly improve my daily experience when using the phone. The superior camera system with OIS, 8k video, and night mode features would also be invaluable to me as I take a lot of pictures and videos. While the battery capacity is smaller, the 68W fast charging would minimize any inconvenience. The superior audio experience and newer connectivity standards make it a well-rounded device that delivers a premium experience.
