1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 164 x 75 x 8.4 mm | Virtually identical size; both feel similar in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 193g | 189g | Negligible weight difference; both feel similarly substantial. |
| Build | Unknown | Unknown | No info available to determine difference, both should feel mostly similar. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Minor size difference; both offer a large screen for media consumption, browsing. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 720 x 1600 | Identical resolution on both displays, resulting in similar levels of clarity and sharpness in daily usage. |
| PPI | 266 | 270 | Very similar pixel density; both display similar visual clarity and sharpness for most viewing scenarios. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers deeper blacks, superior contrast, and more vibrant colors, resulting in a more visually pleasing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Motorola Moto G (2023) provides smoother scrolling and animations, which can make the phone feel more responsive and fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have the same reported peak brightness, which unfortunately we cannot accurately compare at this time. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 750 5G slightly edges out the Snapdragon 480+ 5G with better CPU performance, enabling faster app load times and better handling of intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 380,000 | Both offer nearly identical performance levels with very minor differences that would not be noticeable in normal use. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Both have identical graphics performance, which means gaming and graphic-intensive apps should perform similarly. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM2, 0.80 µm pixelsize | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80 µm pixel size | Motorola Moto G (2023) has a slightly wider aperture, which should allow for slightly better low-light performance, but both have 48MP sensors with 0.8µm pixel size. The specific sensor model is not known for the Motorola. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, Hynix HI-2021, 1.00 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixel size | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has significantly higher resolution, resulting in more detailed selfies; Motorola offers better light-gathering from its larger pixels but its sensor model isn't known. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K4HA, 1.12 µm pixel size | None | Samsung offers a wide-angle lens, which offers a versatile camera array for capturing a wider field of view. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC5035, 1.12 µm pixel size | None | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a dedicated depth sensor, which can improve the quality of portrait mode photos, allowing for better separation of subject and background. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC5035, 1.12 µm pixel size | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G macro is higher resolution; Motorola macro has bigger pixel size for low light photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps, Slow-motion: 480fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: No | Samsung provides more versatile video recording options, including higher resolution 4K capture, higher slow motion capabilities and faster fps recording, resulting in sharper, more detailed videos. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, PDAF, HDR, etc. | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, PDAF, HDR, RAW, etc | Samsung has more cameras and supports 4K video. Motorola has digital image stabilization and RAW support for more control in post-processing. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer a large battery capacity, suggesting comparable all-day battery life under typical usage conditions. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | Both devices provide the same charging speed; Samsung uses a Li-Polymer battery while Motorola uses a Li-Ion, which impacts their lifespan and performance. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the Moto G's IPS LCD.
- More Versatile Camera System: Features a wide-angle lens, depth sensor, and a higher-resolution selfie camera, providing more creative options for photography. Also shoots up to 4k.
- Higher Video Recording Quality: Can record up to 4K resolution, offering more detailed and high-quality video capture.
- Potentially More RAM: Samsung A42 has options for 6GB or 8GB of RAM, while Motorola only has 4 GB of RAM, leading to better multitasking and gaming performance.
- More Advanced Features: Offers 4k video recording, better slow motion and more cameras for versatility.
Practical Implications: The A42 offers better media consumption and richer photography options, making it a better pick for those who prioritize display quality and camera versatility.
Motorola Moto G (2023) Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations significantly smoother than the A42's 60Hz.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 LE offers potentially better power efficiency and connectivity compared to Bluetooth 5.0.
- Stereo Speakers: Offers a more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers, ideal for media consumption.
- Newer Software: Starts with a more recent Android version (13) compared to the A42 (10), promising more security patches and potentially longer software support.
- RAW Support: Allows users more control over post-processing of images.
Practical Implications: The Moto G (2023) prioritizes a smooth user experience with the 120Hz display, enhanced audio for media, and RAW photo capabilities for better image quality.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Display Technology: The Galaxy A42's AMOLED is superior to the IPS LCD of the Moto G (2023), but comes with the drawback of only a 60Hz refresh rate.
- Camera Versatility vs. RAW: The A42 provides a more versatile camera setup but lacks RAW support and digital image stabilization, while the Moto G offers RAW support and stabilization but has fewer cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Ideal User:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who watch a lot of videos or movies and appreciate a vibrant display.
- Photography Lovers: Users who like to take different types of photos, such as wide angle, portrait mode, and selfies.
- Occasional Gamers: Those who enjoy playing games and appreciate higher RAM options for better gaming performance.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and shows in vibrant color.
- Taking a variety of pictures with different lenses.
- Playing graphically intensive games.
Motorola Moto G (2023) Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: Those who value smooth scrolling and a responsive user interface.
- Audio Lovers: Users who appreciate the enhanced audio experience of stereo speakers.
- Mobile Photographers: Those who value having RAW photo format available for better image editing.
Specific Use Cases:
- Browsing social media and websites with smooth scrolling.
- Enjoying music or podcasts on the phone's stereo speakers.
- Editing photos for enhanced quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize a vibrant AMOLED display with better contrast, or a smoother refresh rate with an IPS LCD?
- Camera Needs: Do you require a versatile camera setup with multiple lenses or are you more interested in having RAW image processing support?
- Audio Importance: How much do you value the audio experience, and will the stereo speakers of the Motorola make a big difference?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Movie Buff: If your main goal is to enjoy media consumption with vivid colors and deep blacks, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is the better pick because of its superior AMOLED display.
- Scenario 2: Social Media User: If you spend a lot of time scrolling through social media and want a smooth experience, the Motorola Moto G (2023) will be a more responsive and fluid daily companion due to the 120hz display.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If your primary focus is versatility in photography and capturing different kinds of photos, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is better with its additional lenses; but if your primary focus is control of image quality and post processing, the Motorola Moto G (2023) is better because of its RAW image capture.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Moto G (2023). While the AMOLED display of the Samsung A42 is enticing, the 120Hz refresh rate of the Moto G makes a noticeable difference in daily use, making it a more enjoyable experience overall. I also value the stereo speakers for media consumption. Although I appreciate the camera versatility of the Samsung A42, I prefer the RAW support of the Motorola. Considering I am not a heavy mobile gamer, the slightly less RAM of the Motorola wouldn't be a major issue for my usage patterns. The newer Android version, the better audio, and the smoother display edges out the Samsung's superior camera array and vibrant display for my specific needs.
