1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | Motorola is slightly smaller, might feel more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 193g | 197g | Negligible difference in weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Motorola offers slightly more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1220x2712 | Motorola has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 266 | 446 | Motorola provides a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density, less pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Similar quality displays, rich colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola offers much smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Motorola's screen is much easier to read in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Motorola offers significantly faster processing and better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 1,523,879 | Motorola is drastically faster, apps load faster, better for multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 735 | Motorola has much better graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3" sensor | Motorola has slightly better low-light performance with a larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76" sensor | Motorola takes much sharper, more detailed selfies, performs better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.4, 1/2" sensor | Motorola offers optical zoom capabilities, while Samsung relies on digital zoom. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" sensor | Motorola captures much wider, higher resolution images. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung includes depth data for portrait mode photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung can capture very close-up macro shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@960fps | Motorola has advanced recording and stability options, also offers better slow-motion options. |
| DXOMARK Score | Not available | 146 (Mobile) | Motorola offers significantly better photo and video quality based on DXOMARK benchmarks. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera | Triple camera, OIS, Optical Zoom, Night Mode | Motorola has more advanced features for a broader range of photographic scenarios. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Samsung has slightly larger battery capacity, potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 125W | Motorola offers significantly faster charging, minimizes downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | None | 50W | Motorola offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, max 13 | Android 14, max 17 | Motorola has a more up-to-date OS with longer support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 5 | WiFi 7, WiFi 6E | Motorola supports much faster and more reliable WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Motorola offers better range and energy efficiency, advanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Motorola offers more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Motorola offers more flexible carrier options via eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB | 512GB or 1024GB | Motorola offers significantly more storage space for apps, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | 12GB or 16GB | Motorola is much better for multitasking, running demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Motorola provides better overall audio quality, including immersive sound and better microphone clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint sensor security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola offers enhanced screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola has a standard sensor setup while Samsung has an additional geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides a marginally longer battery life.
- Depth and Macro Lenses: Dedicated depth and macro lenses can be useful for specific photography scenarios.
- Geomagnetic Sensor: This extra sensor provides additional compass precision for mapping and navigation.
Practical Implications: The Galaxy A42 5G is designed as a reliable phone, and its advantages are in its battery and specific camera functions. It's better for longer battery life.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness offer a much better viewing experience.
- Much Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers much higher processing and graphics performance, making it far better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Significantly Better Cameras: Higher resolution sensors, wider apertures, telephoto lens, and advanced video features offer superior photo and video quality.
- Much Faster Charging: 125W wired charging and wireless charging capabilities minimize downtime.
- More Modern Software: Android 14 with extended updates ensures longer software support.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards for faster, more reliable connections.
- Significantly More Storage: The 512GB or 1024GB of storage offer ample room for all your content.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and a triple-mic array provide better sound.
- Advanced Build: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen protection.
- eSIM Support: Allows for more flexible carrier options.
Practical Implications: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is a high-performance flagship phone with cutting-edge features. It excels in all areas, offering a superior user experience.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung sacrifices performance and display quality for slightly better battery life and extra camera lenses.
- Motorola sacrifices a little bit of battery capacity but compensates with much faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who need basic smartphone functionality and prioritize battery life.
- Casual Users: People who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media and do not need high-performance gaming or demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate the inclusion of dedicated macro and depth lenses for creative photography.
Use Cases:
- Extended daily use with minimal charging.
- Basic photo and video capture.
- Reliable communication.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power Users: Users who need top-of-the-line performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who consume a lot of video content, needing a high quality display, sound, and fast connectivity.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want high-quality photos, videos, and advanced features.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who value cutting-edge technology.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- High-quality video recording and editing.
- Demanding productivity tasks.
- Fast and reliable wireless connections.
- Viewing content in bright sunlight.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung A42 5G is likely to be a budget option, providing basic features at a low price, suitable for users who want a functional device and value battery life.
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is a premium phone that commands a higher price but delivers a superior experience in almost every way. Its value is in advanced features and top performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Basic calls/texts vs. gaming/multimedia)
- How important is display quality to you? (Sharpness, brightness, refresh rate)
- What is your budget? (Entry-level vs. high-end)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User on a Budget.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G. Its solid battery life and standard camera capabilities will be sufficient for light use.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia Enthusiast on a Moderate Budget.
- Recommendation: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is worth the price increase. The phone offers a superior display and better performance in areas that would matter most.
- Scenario 3: High-Performance User with a Premium Budget.
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is clearly the better choice, thanks to its significantly better performance, display, and camera system.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. Despite the slightly smaller battery, it excels in nearly every other aspect, offering a superior display, much better performance, vastly improved cameras, faster charging, and more advanced connectivity options. The significantly higher AnTuTu score and the higher refresh rate of the screen is very important to me. Although the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a larger battery, the Motorola's fast charging makes up for it. The Motorola is far more capable for both work and play, aligning better with my needs as a tech enthusiast and a power user. While the Samsung has some niche camera features and a slightly larger battery, these trade-offs are not significant enough to overshadow the vast improvements offered by the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.
