Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs. Motorola Moto G34
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Motorola Moto G34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 162.7 x 74.6 x 8 mm | The Galaxy A42 is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. The Moto G34 is more compact and lighter. |
| Weight | 193g | 179g | The Moto G34 is 14g lighter, which is noticeable during extended use and may make it more comfortable for one-handed usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Minimal difference in screen size; both are suitable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both offer HD+ resolution which is standard for the price range, adequate for most uses but not the sharpest available. |
| PPI | 266 | 270 | Both have very similar pixel densities, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The AMOLED display of the Galaxy A42 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better energy efficiency when using dark themes compared to the IPS LCD of the G34. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G34’s 120Hz display provides smoother scrolling, animations and is more responsive compared to the Galaxy A42’s 60Hz display, beneficial for gaming and media. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical, but since display technology is different, brightness perception may differ |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 695 in the Moto G34, while a slightly lower series than the 750, offers a newer architecture and thus better power efficiency and potentially better real-world performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 424,100 | The Moto G34 has a marginally higher AnTuTu score, suggesting slightly better overall performance for general tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Both phones use the same GPU, so graphical performance is similar. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The Moto G34 charges faster with its 20W capability, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Moto G34 has a higher resolution sensor (50MP vs 48MP), though real-world image quality will depend on the sensor quality and image processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 16MP | The Galaxy A42 has a higher resolution front camera (20MP vs 16MP). However, real-world performance will depend on the sensor quality and image processing. |
| Wide-angle lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | No Wide angle lens | The Galaxy A42 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, providing more versatility in shooting scenarios, while the G34 lacks this. |
| Portrait lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | No Portrait lens | The Galaxy A42 has a dedicated portrait lens, while the G34 lacks this. |
| Macro lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Galaxy A42 has a higher resolution macro lens(5MP vs 2MP), potentially capturing better details. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 1080p@30fps | The Galaxy A42 is capable of 4K video recording, which provides much better clarity and detail than the 1080p of the Moto G34. Also, Galaxy A42 supports 480fps slow motion. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | The Moto G34 comes with Android 13 out of the box, while the Galaxy A42 was originally on Android 10 and may no longer receive updates, making the G34 more future-proof. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Moto G34 supports Wi-Fi 6, which offers faster speeds and more efficient connections, particularly in crowded environments, vs Wi-Fi 5 in Galaxy A42. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | The Moto G34 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, offering improved connection stability and potentially better power efficiency (LE = Low Energy). |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Galaxy A42 supports Galileo satellite system in addition to GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS and Beidou, improving location accuracy in areas with weak signal. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64GB / 128GB / 256 GB | The Moto G34 offers more storage capacity, especially for users with large media libraries, and the choice between 64GB, 128GB or 256GB. The Galaxy A42 only has 128GB. |
| RAM | 4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB | 4 GB / 8 GB | Both offer RAM options suitable for multitasking; 8GB versions provide smoother operation with multiple apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage, which may be limiting for users with large media libraries |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Motorola has better audio with Dolby Atmos, dual speakers, and enhanced microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Motorola G34 has an advanced fingerprint sensor placement, potentially faster and more convenient to use. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer | Galaxy A42 includes a compass and gyroscope, making it more suitable for more advanced applications (such as navigation and games that use motion). |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- AMOLED Display: Superior color reproduction, contrast, and power efficiency with dark mode.
- 4K Video Recording: Higher video quality, which is much better than the Moto G34.
- Wide-Angle, Macro and Portrait Lenses: More camera versatility with the ability to capture wide-angle shots, detailed close-up shots, and better portrait mode, which the Moto G34 lacks.
- More Sensor: Has Gyroscope and Compass.
Motorola Moto G34 Advantages:
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Significantly smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid and responsive experience.
- Faster Charging: 20W charging allows faster replenishment of the battery, reducing downtime.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13, offering the latest features, security updates, and better future-proofing than the older Android 10 on the Galaxy A42.
- Potentially Better Performance: The newer Snapdragon 695 chip, despite being a "lower series", offers improved efficiency and a more robust real-world experience.
- Wi-Fi 6: Supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster wireless connections.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and two microphones.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A42 offers an AMOLED display and 4K video recording with a wide-angle lens and portrait lens, but lacks the smoother refresh rate and future-proof software of the Moto G34.
- The Moto G34 provides a more fluid experience and faster charging, but its display doesn't have the visual fidelity of AMOLED, has less camera versatility and has lower resolution video recording.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is ideal for:
- Users who value display quality: Those who prioritize deep blacks, vibrant colors, and power efficiency, even if it means a standard refresh rate.
- Casual photographers: Users who want more camera options, especially a wide-angle, macro and portrait lens.
- Users who record video: Those who want higher video quality.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows where the AMOLED screen makes a difference.
- Casual photography and users who enjoy editing photos with their mobile.
- Daily use when battery optimization for dark theme is important.
Motorola Moto G34 is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize smoothness and responsiveness: Gamers, social media users who scroll through feeds frequently.
- Users who value battery and faster charging: Those who need their phone ready quickly.
- Value seekers: Users looking for a budget-friendly device that offers good performance with modern features such as WiFi 6 and the latest version of Android.
- Audio Enthusiasts: People who listen to music, podcasts and watch videos frequently.
Specific Use Cases:
- Fast-paced gaming and media consumption where a smoother refresh rate is preferred.
- Users who don't want to wait too long for a charge.
- Users who prefer the latest android version with enhanced audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Display Preference: Do you prefer the superior colors and contrast of an AMOLED screen or the smoothness of a 120Hz display?
- Camera Versatility vs. Overall Smoothness: Is a higher quality video recording, wide-angle lens, macro lens and portrait lens more important than a smoother user experience and the latest software?
- Future-Proofing and Software: Do you prioritize having the latest Android version and potential for updates?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual media consumption, occasional photo taking, limited gaming: The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G might be the better choice for its AMOLED screen, but the Motorola Moto G34 will be better for day to day usage with its smoother experience.
- Scenario 2: Gaming, daily social media, and heavy phone usage: The Motorola Moto G34 with its 120Hz refresh rate and faster charging would be preferable.
- Scenario 3: Photography, video recording and high-resolution content consumption: The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G with its 4k video recording and multiple lenses would be preferable
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Moto G34. While I appreciate the AMOLED display of the Galaxy A42 5G and its superior video recording quality, the 120Hz refresh rate and faster charging of the G34, combined with a newer chipset and the latest Android version and better audio, make it a more practical choice for my daily use. I also prefer the future-proofing and improved wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi 6. I personally do not use the video recording or the wide-angle lens enough to value it above the smoothness and convenience offered by the Motorola. Also, the Dolby Atmos feature of the Moto G34 would improve the overall experience.
