1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 160.4 × 73.5 × 8 mm | S21+ is slightly taller and wider, G42 is slightly thicker. Minimal difference in overall hand feel, but the G42 could be slightly easier to grip for some. |
| Weight | 200g | 175g | The Moto G42 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | The S21+ has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both have the same resolution. |
| PPI | 394 | 411 | Both offer similar sharpness, though the G42 will be slightly sharper due to the smaller screen. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks thanks to AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The S21+'s 120Hz refresh rate provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+'s significantly higher brightness makes it much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. The G42's brightness is not available, but will be inferior. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Exynos 2100 offers significantly higher performance for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking; The Snapdragon 680 is more energy-efficient for light use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 249,000 | The S21+ offers much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | S21+ has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics performance for gaming and other visually intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | The G42 has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 20W fast charging | S21+ charges slightly faster and has wireless charging capabilities. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | None | S21+ can wirelessly charge other devices, a feature not available on the G42. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The G42 has a higher resolution sensor, while S21+ has a larger sensor, potentially resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | S21+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots and portrait mode, a feature not available on G42. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 16MP, f/2.2 | The G42 has a higher resolution front-facing camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | The S21+ has a dedicated ultra-wide lens that combines macro capabilities. The G42 has a separate wide-angle and macro. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The G42 includes a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots, not available on the S21+ |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | The S21+ offers much higher resolution video recording and more advanced video features. |
| DXOMARK (Mobile) | 111 | Not Tested | The S21+ has a camera with a high DxOMark score. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Optical Zoom, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | Digital zoom, PDAF, LAF, HDR, etc. | S21+ offers advanced camera features like 4K/8K video, OIS, and optical zoom, which are absent on the G42. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 | The G42 comes with a newer OS version, but the S21+ is upgradeable to Android 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | The S21+ supports a newer Wi-Fi standard, resulting in faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, includes APT-x, ANT+ | 5.0 LE | The S21+ has more advanced Bluetooth codecs and additional profiles. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, SUPL | The S21+ has dual-band GPS and more precise satellite location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | The S21+ offers an eSIM option for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 64/128GB | The S21+ offers up to 256GB of storage while the G42 maxes out at 128GB. |
| RAM | 8GB | 4/6GB | S21+ has more RAM, resulting in better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The S21+ offers better audio features with Hi-Res Audio and noise-canceling microphone, resulting in clearer calls and immersive audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The G42 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ offers superior screen protection against scratches and cracks. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Geomagnetic, Hall | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | The S21+ offers more sensors, including Barometer, and hall sensor for advanced use. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides much higher processing power, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 680 in the Moto G42.
- Enhanced Display: The 120Hz refresh rate, superior brightness and HDR support offer a dramatically better visual experience, particularly in bright outdoor conditions.
- Advanced Camera System: The S21+ features a versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens, optical zoom, 8K video recording, and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) that outperforms the G42 in image quality and video capabilities.
- Additional Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, higher quality audio, a barometer sensor, and Wi-Fi 6 support, offering a more premium experience.
- More RAM: 8GB vs 4GB/6GB means it can handle more apps running simultaneously.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better protection from drops and scratches.
Motorola Moto G42 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: Easier to handle for extended use.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Offers potentially better battery life.
- Newer OS at Launch: Launched with Android 12, although the S21+ is upgradeable to Android 15.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers the ability to take close-up shots.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: For easier access and usability.
- Lower Price: Likely to be considerably more budget-friendly.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ prioritizes performance, display quality, and camera capabilities at a higher price point, while the Moto G42 focuses on being more affordable.
- The S21+ provides a premium experience but may be heavier and less comfortable for prolonged use, while the G42 offers comfortable usability but with compromises in performance and advanced features.
- The G42 has a lower resolution standard camera, but better resolution selfie. It also lacks telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who values high performance, a premium display, and advanced features.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with demanding graphics.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Smooth multitasking and app usage.
- Bright outdoor usage due to the high brightness display.
- Using multiple apps and switching between them quickly.
- Availing wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Price-to-Value: Justifies its higher price with superior performance, display, camera, and additional premium features.
Motorola Moto G42:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, casual users, those who prioritize battery life and comfortable handling, or users who need a good quality, no-frills phone.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday smartphone usage (browsing, social media, messaging).
- Extended battery life for day-long usage.
- Taking close-up macro photos.
- Comfortable usage due to lighter weight.
- Users who don't need the highest levels of performance or display quality.
- Price-to-Value: Offers great value for budget-conscious buyers who need good performance for basic tasks at a reasonable price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S21+ is a premium phone that will cost more than the G42, which is in the budget friendly category.
- How important is performance? The S21+ is better suited for heavy users who game or multitask, while the G42 is better for casual users.
- What camera features do you need? The S21+ has a much more versatile camera system with telephoto zoom, OIS, and advanced video capabilities, whereas the G42 has a decent main and macro camera but lacking in zoom or high-end video capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming & Multimedia: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its superior chipset, 120Hz display, and high-quality audio and camera features.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User with Basic Needs: Choose the Motorola Moto G42 for its affordability, decent display, comfortable design and adequate battery life for daily use.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its advanced camera system with telephoto lens, OIS, and 8K video capabilities.
What I Would Choose and Why:
For me, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear choice, even though it is older. While I appreciate the affordability and lightweight design of the Motorola Moto G42, my daily usage includes demanding tasks such as extensive multitasking, mobile gaming, photography and video creation, and content consumption in various lighting conditions.
The S21+ offers superior performance with its Exynos 2100 chipset, a smoother and more vibrant visual experience with its 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness display, and a more versatile camera system that allows me to capture high quality photos and videos in diverse scenarios. The added benefits of wireless charging, higher quality audio, and the superior build quality make the S21+ the better fit for my needs despite its higher cost. I value the features and performance of the S21+ more than the lightweight build of the G42, and the additional RAM will make multitasking more efficient. Although the G42 is newer, the performance of the S21+ coupled with future OS upgrades make it a much better long term investment.
