1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | The Motorola is slightly smaller, making it more pocketable and easier to handle for most people. The Samsung is noticeably bulkier. |
| Weight | 193g | 186g | The Motorola is lighter, which is slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The Motorola offers a marginally larger viewing area, which might be preferable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1220x2712 | The Motorola's display is significantly sharper, with much more detail and less pixelation. |
| PPI | 266 | 446 | The Motorola's higher pixel density means text and images appear significantly clearer and more refined. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both use high-quality OLED technologies that provide good contrast and colors. The difference in real-world terms is negligible. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. This is a noticeable difference in fluidity. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The Motorola has significantly higher brightness, making it much easier to see in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Motorola’s chip is much more powerful and efficient, resulting in faster app launches, better multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 392,400 | 866,863 | The Motorola has significantly better performance in demanding tasks, such as gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 720 | The Motorola’s better GPU results in better gaming performance and smoother graphics rendering. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Both offer good resolution; the difference here is marginal, although the Edge 50 Pro has a wider aperture for better low light shots. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.4 | The Motorola's wider aperture will capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance and shallower depth of field in photos. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 2.00 µm | The larger pixel size of the Motorola translates to better light capture and detail, especially in low light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 50MP | The Motorola offers significantly higher selfie resolution for better quality images and video. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | The Motorola's wider aperture will allow more light into the selfie camera for better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | Yes (10MP) | The Motorola provides optical zoom capabilities, offering better quality at a distance compared to digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | 13MP | The Motorola’s wide-angle lens has much more resolution, leading to more detailed shots. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | Yes (5MP) | No | The Samsung includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | Yes (5MP) | No | The Samsung includes a macro lens for close up photography |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@30/60/120fps with HDR, EIS | The Motorola has more flexible and higher quality video capture options with HDR and electronic image stabilization. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | The Motorola has video stabilization while recording, which will result in less shaky footage. |
| Slow Motion | Yes, 480fps | Yes, 240fps | The Samsung has a higher slow motion frame rate, for more detail in slow motion videos |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Dual capture, RAW, Night Mode | The Motorola has more advanced features like optical zoom, image stabilization, raw capture, and night mode for superior photography and videography. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Samsung's larger battery will potentially last longer between charges. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 125W fast charging | The Motorola charges significantly faster, which is incredibly convenient. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | The Motorola offers a more versatile set of charging options, including wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10, upgradeable to 13 | Android 14, upgradeable to 17 | The Motorola provides a more modern and up-to-date operating system with more years of support for updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | The Motorola supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 LE | The Motorola has a newer and more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC | The Motorola has a more comprehensive suite of satellite positioning systems, resulting in more accurate GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The Motorola provides the flexibility of an eSIM, while the Samsung uses two physical SIMs |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128GB | 256/512/1024GB | The Motorola offers significantly more storage for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 12/16GB | The Motorola has significantly more RAM, which leads to better multitasking and smoother performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Motorola has far superior audio with features like stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both use fingerprint sensors for secure unlock |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Motorola has a much more durable screen for protection against damage |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have a comprehensive sensor suite, with the Samsung having an additional Geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers slightly better battery life, which is beneficial for users who need long periods of use without charging.
- Slightly More Slow Motion: Shoots at 480fps rather than 240fps for high detail slow motion videos.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Camera: Has a dedicated depth and macro camera for more detailed portrait and close up shots.
- Geomagnetic Sensor: Includes a Geomagnetic sensor for additional functionality
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher refresh rate, and much higher brightness display results in a noticeably better visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: A newer, more powerful processor and much more RAM provides faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gameplay.
- Much Faster Charging: 125W charging provides much faster recharge times, minimizing downtime.
- Better Cameras: Superior main, ultrawide and selfie camera specifications, plus a dedicated telephoto lens that provides better image quality, low-light performance, and versatility.
- Wireless Charging: Offers both wireless and reverse wireless charging, adding flexibility and convenience.
- Modern Software: Comes with Android 14 and is guaranteed for future updates for a more modern and feature-rich user experience.
- Better Connectivity: Has the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- Superior Audio: Includes stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos for an immersive audio experience.
- More Storage: Available in 256/512/1024 GB options compared to only 128 GB
Trade-offs
- The Samsung prioritizes battery life and a dedicated depth sensor while the Motorola prioritizes performance, camera quality, display, charging speed, and software.
- The Motorola lacks a dedicated macro lens and depth sensor which the Samsung has.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who prioritize affordability and need a basic 5G phone with a decent battery.
- Users with basic photography needs: Users who don't require high quality photos, or use a dedicated depth or macro camera frequently.
- Users who want the most battery life: Those who prioritize long battery life between charges.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Long travel periods where access to chargers is limited.
- Casual gaming.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance enthusiasts: Users who demand fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and heavy app usage.
- Photography lovers: Those who value a great camera system for capturing detailed, high-quality photos and videos.
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Users who are always on the go and need to charge their phone quickly.
- Multimedia consumers: Users who value a high-quality display and audio experience for watching videos and listening to music.
- Users who want a modern user experience: Those who want the latest software with regular updates.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming and other resource-intensive tasks.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Professional use where fast performance is essential.
- Viewing media in bright sunlight.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., basic communication, content creation, mobile gaming)
- How important is camera quality and display to you?
- Is fast charging more important than battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious & Battery Focused: If budget and battery life are the primary concerns, and high performance, or a high-quality camera aren't needed, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is a suitable option.
- Performance and Camera Enthusiasts: If you need the best performance, a high-quality camera system, and prefer a premium display with a fast charge, then the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the superior choice.
- Multimedia and Gaming Focused: If you plan on doing a lot of multimedia consumption and gaming, the Motorola's superior display, faster processor, and faster refresh rate make it the obvious choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a slightly larger battery and a few additional camera sensors, the Edge 50 Pro is superior in almost every other aspect. The performance is significantly better, the display is far superior in both clarity and brightness, the camera is more versatile, and the fast charging is incredibly convenient. While the Samsung might offer slightly longer battery life, the fast charging on the Motorola minimizes this trade off. The modern software and superior build quality also make the Motorola more future-proof. Given my use cases, the Edge 50 Pro offers the best overall user experience.
