1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-06-28 | The Moto G42 is a newer device by about 1 year and 5 months. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 160.4 x 73.5 x 8 mm | Moto G42 is larger overall. The S21 is more compact and easier to handle for some. |
| Weight | 169g | 175g | S21 is slightly lighter, which may be preferable for prolonged holding. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.4" | Moto G42 provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. S21 more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer same sharpness. |
| PPI | 421 | 411 | Both provide similar pixel density, resulting in comparable display clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 has smoother scrolling and animations. Noticeable in gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 is significantly brighter, making it much easier to view the screen in direct sunlight. No data on G42, though the spec sheet implies the brightness is less. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | S21 has much better processing power, resulting in quicker app launches, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 249,000 | S21 is significantly faster in everyday use, heavy apps and gaming. Moto G42 is considerably less performant in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 610 | S21 has a much more powerful GPU, offering a smoother and more detailed graphics performance in gaming and graphically demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor (Sony IMX555), 1.80 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor (Samsung S5KJN1), 0.64 µm pixel size | Moto G42 has higher resolution but S21 has a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor (Samsung Bright S5KGW2), 0.80 µm pixel size | None | S21 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait shots. G42 does not have this. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor (Sony IMX374), 1.22 µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.2, sensor size and pixel size unavailable | Moto G42 has higher resolution for selfies. S21 has larger pixel size potentially better low-light performance. Sensor information for G42 is not provided. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor (Sony IMX563), 1.40 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.2 | G42 includes a wide angle and macro lens where S21 has one ultra wide lens and no macro lens |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Moto G42 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography where S21 doesn't |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, multiple HDR and EIS modes, stereo sound, slow-mo up to 960fps | 1080p@30fps, no HDR, No EIS | S21 offers significantly better video recording quality, stabilization and slow motion. |
| DxOMark Scores | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 90. Selfie: 132, Photo: 125, Video: 145 | No data available | S21 has been tested and gets a reasonable score on both front and back cameras while the G42 has not been rated. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical Zoom, OIS, RAW, Night Mode, etc | Digital zoom, LAF, standard features | S21 offers more professional features like 4k/8k video recording, optical zoom and optical stabilisation. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G42 has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. S21 offers more advanced charging features. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 20W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | S21 charges faster. Actual charging times vary. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charger in-box | Non-removable | S21 offers wireless and reverse charging. Neither phone includes an in-box charger. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 | Moto G42 has a newer OS out of the box, but S21 is upgradable for several years |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | S21 has faster WiFi speeds, lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE, many advanced audio features | Bluetooth 5.0 LE, A2DP, LE | S21 offers more advanced Bluetooth features which is good for high-fidelity audio transfer and better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | S21 offers more precise and reliable GPS due to support for multiple bands. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB, No expandable storage | 64GB/128GB, No expandable storage | S21 offers more internal storage. Neither phone allows for external storage expansion. |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB/6GB | S21 has more RAM, better multitasking. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | S21 offers better quality audio recording. Both include stereo speakers with spatial audio |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Moto G42's side-mounted sensor might be more convenient to use. Both offer reasonable biometric security. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21 includes a barometer, useful for tracking altitude, atmospheric pressure. Both have the standard set of motion and proximity sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers a dramatically higher benchmark score, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Advanced Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness (1300 nits) provide a much smoother, more vibrant viewing experience, particularly outdoors.
- Better Camera System: The S21 boasts an optically stabilized telephoto lens, more advanced video capabilities (8K recording and slow-mo), and higher-quality sensors.
- Enhanced Audio and Features: Includes noise cancellation microphones, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, more Bluetooth features, and a barometer.
- Higher RAM and Base Storage: 8GB of ram compared to 4 or 6 and more storage available
Practical Implications: The S21 is the obvious choice for demanding users who prioritize performance, gaming, camera quality, and premium features.
Motorola Moto G42 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000 mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer version of Android, though the S21 is upgradable.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: May be more ergonomic for some users.
- Macro and Ultra-wide lenses: Gives different photography options.
Practical Implications: The G42 is better for users who prioritize long battery life, a basic but capable camera, and don't need top performance and premium features, and need different photography options.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21's higher price point is a considerable factor.
- The Moto G42 trades performance and display quality for battery life and price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who use their phone for demanding tasks, including gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Individuals who prioritize camera quality and video features, including zoom capabilities and slow-motion recording.
- Frequent Travelers: The better GPS and the brighter display makes it suitable for outdoor use.
- Users who want advanced features: The wireless charging, reverse charging, etc, are useful to many.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games with smoother performance.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
- Enjoying a responsive and fluid user interface.
- Using the phone for high-fidelity wireless audio and Bluetooth devices.
Motorola Moto G42 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who want a capable smartphone at a lower price point.
- Users with Moderate Needs: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks, social media, and occasional photography.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Individuals who value long battery life over performance and advanced features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Browsing the web and social media.
- Casual photography and video recording.
- Longer battery life when traveling or away from charging sources.
- A second phone/backup phone.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 offers a higher price-to-value for power users due to its superior performance, display, and camera.
- The G42 offers a better price-to-value for budget-conscious buyers, offering key features for less.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The S21 is more expensive and likely to depreciate slower while the G42 is more affordable.
- How important is performance for you? The S21 has much higher performance in all categories, while the G42 is better at battery and affordability.
- What are your priorities when using the camera? The S21 offers more features and superior quality while the G42 is more basic.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Performance: If gaming is a priority, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better option due to its significantly more powerful processor and better display.
- Scenario 2: Long Battery Life: If you need the longest battery life possible and are less concerned with performance or a superior display, the Motorola Moto G42 is suitable.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you need advanced camera features, telephoto lens and optical image stabilization, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is better.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User: If price is the most important factor and you're happy with a more basic but capable smartphone, the Motorola Moto G42 is a better option.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Motorola Moto G42 is newer and has a larger battery, the performance difference between the two is significant. The S21's superior processor, 120Hz display, and more versatile camera system offer a noticeably better user experience in day-to-day use and especially for demanding tasks. I would be willing to sacrifice a bit of battery life for the enhanced performance and features of the S21. Additionally, given my use cases and priorities (which would be focused on multi tasking, camera, and media consumption) the S21 is a much more suitable device.
