Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs. Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | Moto G Power is slightly thicker and may feel bulkier; difference in hand feel is marginal. |
| Weight | 193g | 206.5g | A42 is lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use and affect portability |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.6" | Identical screen size for both phones |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 720 x 1600 | Both have same resolution; pixel density is adequate for most daily tasks but won't be the sharpest |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A42's AMOLED offers more vibrant colors, better contrast, and deeper blacks, which are beneficial for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both are standard 60Hz, so they won't have the smoothness of higher refresh rate screens |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | A42's Snapdragon 750 5G is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking & gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 178,220 | The A42 has more than double the benchmark score, showing a significant performance gap between the two |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | A42's better GPU handles more graphically demanding tasks and gaming |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have same capacity, suggesting similar battery life (actual battery life will vary depending on usage). |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 15W fast charging | Both support 15W, which is reasonable for daily use but not the fastest charging available. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 10W charger in-box | The Moto G Power includes a charger in the box which is convenient; both have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.80µm | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | Moto G Power's slightly wider aperture (f/1.7) might capture slightly better images in low-light |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | A42 has a much higher resolution selfie camera for more detailed shots; Moto G has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | A42 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile shooting options. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A42 has a higher resolution depth sensor, which can help with better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A42 has a higher resolution macro camera for better close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 1080p@30fps & 1080p@60fps | A42 records at a higher 4K resolution, offering more detailed video capture. |
| Slow Motion | 480fps | 60fps | A42 offers higher slow motion capture rates, for more dramatic effects. |
| Features | 4K Video, Quadruple camera | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Laser autofocus (LAF) | A42 has 4K video recording and a quadruple camera system. The Moto G has digital image stabilization for video and laser autofocus for improved focusing. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradeable to 13 | Android 10, not upgradeable | A42 is upgradable to Android 13, while the Moto G is not; A42 gets extended software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support similar Wi-Fi standards; A42 has additional Wi-Fi Direct and Dual-Band support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | A42 supports a broader range of Bluetooth profiles. Moto G supports Bluetooth LE. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | A42 supports Beidou, providing more satellite options, while the Moto G supports SUPL. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Single SIM | A42 has dual SIM support, ideal for those managing two numbers |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB | 32GB or 64GB | A42 has a larger 128GB internal storage, offering more space for apps, media and files; Moto G has less storage capacity. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 3/4GB | A42 has a higher RAM configuration that is beneficial for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both have basic audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Moto G Power has a more advanced, convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection is unknown for both. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The A42 has a geomagnetic sensor in addition to the other sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750 5G chipset and Adreno 619 GPU offer significantly better performance for demanding apps and gaming, as indicated by the benchmark scores.
- Superior Display: AMOLED display provides much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than the Moto G Power's IPS LCD display.
- Better Camera Setup: Higher resolution sensors across the main, selfie, wide-angle, depth, and macro cameras, along with 4K video capabilities, offer more versatile photo and video options.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher RAM capacity and 128GB of internal storage offer a smoother user experience and more storage for files, apps and media.
- Better Software Support: Android 13 upgrade availability.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows use of two SIM cards simultaneously
- More Connectivity Options: A42 offers additional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options compared to the Moto G Power.
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and potentially faster unlock compared to the standard sensor on the A42.
- Wider Aperture Main Camera: f/1.7 main camera aperture could result in slightly better low-light performance compared to the f/1.8 on the A42.
- Included Charger: Ships with a charger in the box.
- Laser Auto Focus: Better focus on moving subjects
- Lower Cost: This phone is often more affordable than the Galaxy A42 5G.
Trade-offs:
- A42: Higher price, lacks a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, may not be needed if performance is not a priority
- Moto G Power: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, basic camera setup, less internal storage, limited software updates, single SIM, lower video resolution
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Users who need a phone for demanding tasks, gaming, and media consumption.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile camera system with a variety of lenses and modes.
- Media Consumers: Users who want an excellent display for watching videos and browsing content.
- Users who use dual sim capabilities
Users who prioritize long term software support
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, social media content creation, frequent movie/TV show streaming, professional photography/videography (casual).
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who need a reliable smartphone for basic tasks, email and web browsing, and don't require high performance.
- Users that want the convenience of an included charger
Casual Photographers: Users who need decent photo quality for everyday shots but aren't demanding.
- Use Cases: Basic web browsing, social media, calling/texting, email, casual photography, general media consumption.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The A42 is the more expensive option but has better performance, display and camera.
- How important is performance? If gaming, intensive apps, and smooth multitasking are critical, the A42 is the clear choice.
- How important are display and camera quality? If vibrant colours and versatile cameras are important, the A42 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance-Driven): If the user is primarily focused on performance, gaming, and multitasking the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is recommended.
- Scenario 2 (Budget-Focused): If the user needs a phone for basic tasks and their budget is limited, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is recommended.
- Scenario 3 (Camera focused): If camera quality and versatility is a priority then the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is recommended.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has a slightly wider aperture for the main camera and an included charger, its advantages do not outweigh the significant performance, display, and camera advantages of the A42. As a user who values performance for gaming and app usage, as well as a good quality display for media consumption, the A42 provides a much more well rounded experience for its price. The fact it supports 4K video is also a key factor. Even though I am budget-conscious, I would spend more for the better experience provided by the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G.
