1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | The Moto G 5G is slightly taller and thicker, making it feel bulkier in hand. The A42 5G is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 193g | 212g | The A42 5G is noticeably lighter, leading to more comfortable prolonged use, especially for one-handed operation. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The Moto G 5G's slightly larger screen offers a marginally more immersive experience for content consumption, but the difference is small. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | The Moto G 5G has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. Noticeable difference in detail. |
| PPI | 266 | 393 | The higher pixel density of the Moto G 5G makes the display noticeably crisper, impacting how smooth text and images appear. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The A42 5G's AMOLED panel offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Moto G 5G's IPS LCD. More vivid and power-efficient display for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard refresh rate, meaning the scrolling and animations will appear similarly smooth. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness at 0 nits, therefore comparison is not possible |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | While similar, the "G" variant in the Moto G 5G might offer slightly enhanced graphics performance, though the difference isn't significant in day-to-day use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 390,000 | Near identical scores suggest comparable processing power, suitable for smooth everyday tasks and moderate gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Both have the same graphics processor, providing similar gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.8 | 48MP f/1.7 | Moto G 5G has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better for low-light photography by letting in more light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.2 | The A42 5G's higher resolution sensor will capture more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 | The Moto G 5G's wide-angle lens captures higher resolution and more detailed wide shots. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP f/2.4 | None | The A42 5G offers a dedicated depth sensor, potentially creating better portrait effects with background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | The A42 5G's macro lens has higher resolution, resulting in more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | Both record 4K, but Moto G has Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) and also has the option to record 1080p@60fps, leading to steadier footage and more options. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Quadruple camera | Digital image stabilization, Laser autofocus (LAF), RAW, Night Mode, Triple Camera | The A42 5G offers 4K and a dedicated Quad camera setup with a depth sensor while Moto G has digital stabilization and other features such as RAW and Night mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar capacity suggests similar battery life, both will generally last a full day of average use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The Moto G 5G charges faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Both non-removable. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10, Upgradable to 13 | Android 10, Upgradable to unknown | The A42 5G is confirmed to be upgradable to Android 13, whereas the Moto G 5G upgrade path is unclear. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support standard WiFi, no major differences. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Moto G 5G's newer Bluetooth offers slightly better efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | The A42 5G supports Beidou for potentially better location accuracy in certain regions. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM for managing two numbers. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128GB | 64GB or 128GB | Both come with 128GB variants, but Moto G comes with a 64GB variant at a lower cost. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB | The A42 5G is available with 8GB RAM which is suitable for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage, limiting long-term storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | 2 microphones | The Moto G 5G has a slight edge with dual microphones for clearer calls and voice recording. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have a fingerprint sensor that provides biometric security but the Moto G has a better position for the fingerprint reader |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Details on screen protection are missing. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have all the essential sensors, but A42 5G features a geomagnetic sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast for a more engaging viewing experience.
- Lighter Build: The lighter weight makes it more comfortable for extended use and easier to handle.
- More RAM: 8GB RAM options enable better multitasking and smoother gaming, especially if running many apps or heavy games.
- Portrait Mode Depth Sensor: Dedicated depth sensor provides better bokeh effects when taking portrait shots.
- Selfie Camera: Higher resolution selfie camera captures more detailed photos.
- Macro Lens: Higher resolution macro lens for better close-up shots.
- Confirmed Software Updates: Guaranteed update to Android 13.
- Additional Sensors: Geomagnetic sensor.
- Quad Camera: Additional depth sensor and overall better camera setup.
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a noticeably clearer display with finer details.
- Wider Aperture Standard Lens: Better performance in low-light conditions for standard camera shots.
- Video Stabilization: Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) results in smoother video recordings, even when in motion.
- Faster Charging: The 20W fast charging reduces downtime, charging the phone more quickly.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 offers slightly better efficiency.
- Dual Microphones: Better audio quality for calls and voice recording with dual microphones.
- Laser Auto Focus: Laser Auto Focus (LAF) for faster and more accurate focus.
- Night Mode & RAW: Features like night mode and the ability to shoot in RAW provide more flexibility for photographers.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Higher resolution for wider perspective shots.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung A42 5G: Trades sharpness for display quality.
- Motorola Moto G 5G: Trades premium display technology for sharper image. Lacks the dedicated depth sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
- Ideal User: Casual user, frequent social media browser, or content consumer who values vivid colors and lighter form factor over maximum display sharpness.
- Use Cases:
- Watching videos and movies where the vibrant AMOLED screen shines.
- Taking selfies and portrait photos with good quality.
- General social media browsing and daily tasks due to the lighter build.
- Users who value confirmed software updates and long-term support.
- Users who need better multitasking with 8GB RAM model.
- Price-to-Value: Good option if you can find it at a discounted price, especially considering the AMOLED display and lighter build.
Motorola Moto G 5G
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a crisp, high-resolution display for reading and viewing images, also for the user who wants better camera features.
- Use Cases:
- Reading e-books, documents, and browsing websites where high clarity matters.
- Photography enthusiasts who appreciate camera features like night mode and RAW capture, and also the wider aperture.
- Users who want a steadier video recording with EIS.
- Users who value faster charging.
- Users who use their phone for calls and voice recordings with the dual microphones.
- Users who need quick and reliable focusing using Laser Auto Focus.
- Price-to-Value: Attractive if you can find the 64GB variant at a reduced price or if high-resolution screen and camera features are more important than display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize vibrant colors and deep blacks (AMOLED) or maximum sharpness and clarity (higher resolution)?
- Camera Needs: Do you take more selfies and portraits (A42 5G) or low-light and wider angle shots (Moto G 5G) or steadier video with EIS?
- Usage Style: Do you value a lighter phone for comfort (A42 5G) or faster charging and better audio (Moto G 5G)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Content Consumption: If you primarily watch videos and movies, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G's AMOLED display is superior.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Photography: If you need better low-light performance, sharper wide-angle, and more video stabilization, the Motorola Moto G 5G is preferable, along with features like RAW and Night Mode.
- Scenario 3: Daily Use & Multitasking: If the lighter phone and a confirmed software update matter, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is better. If you value a higher resolution display and faster charging, the Motorola Moto G 5G is a solid choice.
- Scenario 4: Gaming: If you need smoother gaming and more app switching ability, the 8GB RAM option in the A42 5G is beneficial.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G 5G.
While the AMOLED display on the Samsung A42 5G is tempting, the sharper display, faster charging, and superior camera features like EIS, RAW and night mode on the Motorola Moto G 5G better align with my typical use case, especially with a slightly better standard lens aperture. I also prefer the rear fingerprint reader as it's easier to reach and the dual microphone setup is useful for voice calls. Although, the trade-off is no confirmed OS upgrade to Android 13.
