1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm | Moto G24 is slightly more compact, may feel better in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 193g | 181g | Moto G24 is lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.56" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1612 | Both offer similar clarity, not the sharpest available. |
| PPI | 266 | 269 | Both have similar pixel density, good for everyday use |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A42 has deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto G24 has smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 500 nits | Moto G24 is significantly brighter, better for outdoor viewing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | A42 5G has a faster processor, better for gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 266,894 | A42 5G offers notably faster performance in benchmarks and real usage |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G52 MC2 | A42 5G will have better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Similar main camera, differences are minor. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | A42 5G has much higher selfie resolution for sharper detail. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A42 5G offers more detail in wide angle shots. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A42 5G can produce better portrait photos with background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A42 5G captures more detailed close-up macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | A42 5G records in higher quality 4K resolution for video recording. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 15W | Similar charging times. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | Moto G24 has the newer Android version, potentially with extended software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, dual-band | 802.11ac, dual-band | Similar Wi-Fi connectivity; A42 has Wi-Fi Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Both offer similar Bluetooth 5.0, Moto G24 has LE for better battery life. A42 5G has a wider range of protocols |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Similar GPS, Moto G24 has additional SUPL support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Moto G24 has a larger 256 GB storage variant, if needed |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB/8GB | Both have similar ram options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Moto G24 provides a superior audio experience with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos enhancement. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Moto G24 offers a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection is not specified for either. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | A42 has additional Geomagnetic sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to IPS LCD, leading to a more immersive viewing experience.
- Stronger Performance: The Snapdragon 750G provides significantly better performance for everyday use, gaming and multitasking.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution in the selfie camera, wide-angle lens, macro lens, and the inclusion of a depth sensor offer more versatile photography capabilities, especially in selfies and portrait mode.
- Higher Video Recording Quality: Ability to record 4K videos for a sharper and more detailed video capture compared to 1080p.
- Wider Range of Bluetooth Profiles - Supports more types of bluetooth connections.
- Geomagnetic sensor
Practical Implications: The A42 5G is better suited for users who value a high-quality visual experience, enjoy gaming, and take lots of photos and videos and benefit from faster processing.
Motorola Moto G24 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 500 nits brightness provides dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a smoother visual experience, making scrolling and animations appear less choppy.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, which may provide more recent features and potentially longer software support compared to the A42 5G's older Android 10 (upgradable to 13).
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide more immersive audio experience.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A more modern and convenient fingerprint sensor placement than the rear sensor in the A42 5G.
- 256 GB variant for storage
Practical Implications: The Moto G24 is a better choice for users who spend a lot of time outdoors, appreciate smooth scrolling, want the latest Android version, and prioritize quality audio playback.
Trade-offs:
- The A42 5G sacrifices display brightness and refresh rate for better color reproduction, camera quality, and higher performance.
- The Moto G24 sacrifices camera quality and overall processing performance for a brighter display, smoother animations, better audio, and newer software.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize visual quality, gaming, and camera features and need the extra performance in daily tasks.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, social media consumption, taking photos/videos, watching movies and streaming content, multitasking with multiple apps, content creators that need better video resolution.
- Price-to-Value: While older, it offers great performance for the price if found at a discounted rate.
Motorola Moto G24:
- Ideal User: Users who frequently use their phone outdoors, value a smooth visual experience, are content with an everyday camera, and prioritize better audio.
- Use Cases: Outdoor use, audio playback, casual media consumption, everyday social media and communication apps, general smartphone usage.
- Price-to-Value: A good value for those seeking a modern user experience with a brighter, smoother screen and good audio quality at a more budget-friendly price point.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions buyers should consider:
- Display Preference:
- Do you prefer deeper blacks and vibrant colors (AMOLED on A42 5G), or a brighter display and smoother scrolling (90Hz IPS LCD on Moto G24)?
- Performance Needs:
- Do you require a device for gaming and heavy multitasking (A42 5G) or is smoother basic performance good enough for your needs (Moto G24)?
- Camera Priority:
- Do you need high-quality selfies and multiple camera features (A42 5G) or is a basic camera enough for your needs (Moto G24)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast: If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the Moto G24's brighter display is much better.
- Scenario 2: Gaming Enthusiast: If you play games or require high processing performance, the A42 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Buff: If you enjoy taking lots of selfies and other photos, the A42 5G's better cameras will serve you better.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User: If you're looking for value with a modern experience, the Moto G24 with its newer software, better audio and smoother display could be the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G. My preference is driven by several factors: First, the AMOLED display on the A42 5G is a significant advantage. As someone who consumes a lot of media, the deeper blacks, vibrant colors and better contrast will give me the better viewing experience. I also value the higher processing power and performance the A42 5G provides due to the Snapdragon 750G chipset for better multitasking and smoother performance, also the superior camera capabilities with its higher-resolution selfie camera and better macro & wide angle lenses, along with the ability to record 4k video is also appealing. Even though the Moto G24 has a smoother refresh rate and brighter screen, the overall advantages that the A42 5G has makes it more appealing to me. While the Moto G24 has advantages in audio quality, display brightness and software, the A42 5G offers features more aligned with my personal preferences and use cases.
