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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Given the price difference, the Motorola Edge (2021) offers a much larger, higher-refresh-rate screen, which makes for smoother visuals. It also provides a higher-resolution main camera and potentially better performance due to more RAM. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A42's advantages include a longer battery life and an OLED screen that typically displays more vivid colors and deeper blacks. Both phones are made by reputable manufacturers, have plastic backs, and run on Android. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize a high-refresh-rate display and camera capabilities over battery life and screen quality, considering the price difference. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Motorola Edge (2021)
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Battery
8.7 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$165
$360
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a price of $165 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
5.2
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Edge (2021) both have poor overall cameras quality.
The Motorola Edge (2021) generally underperforms in camera capabilities with lower ratings in all considered aspects, particularly in selfie quality, which is very important, as well as in dynamic range and low light performance. While the Samsung Galaxy A42 also struggles with dynamic range and low light performance, it offers a better selfie camera and overall fair camera versatility which might slightly edge it out over the Motorola for photography enthusiasts.
Photo Quality
5.3
5.3
The Motorola Edge (2021) and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor photos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a lower photo software experience and lower selfie quality, which results in its poor photo capturing abilities. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy A42, despite also having lower scores in dynamic range and low light performance, provides a better photo software experience and fair selfie quality, leading to its fair photo performance.
Video Quality
4.7
5.2
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Edge (2021) both have poor videos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) and the Samsung Galaxy A42 both take poor videos mainly due to subpar video stabilization and video software experience. The Motorola Edge struggles with microphone quality, and the Samsung A42 has issues with low-resolution and framerate for videos, making their video output less than ideal.
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
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How the Motorola Edge (2021) and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Edge (2021) | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$165 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 2, 2021 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2460 x 1080 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 395 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD778G | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.7 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.65" x 2.98" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 6.81 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Nebula Blue | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Motorola Edge (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | October 2021
"If you've overlooked Motorola's higher-end phones in the past, the Motorola Edge 5G UW does a very good job at trying to regain your attention. Improvements to the main camera impress. I'm also impressed by how quickly the phone recharges. It's the affordability that ultimately wins the day for the Motorola Edge. this phone offers enough premium features to put it at the forefront of midrange options."
Samsung Galaxy A42
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Ara Wagoner | July 2021
"I need a battery that won't care if I forget to charge it every night, and I need a nice big screen for watching my shows on the go. The 5,000mAh battery will let you get two full days out of the A42. The A42 is right up your alley as an affordable 5G phone that won't die just because you had to crash at a friend's and forgot your phone charger at home."
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2021) or the Samsung Galaxy A42
About Motorola
Motorola, a well-known name in the smartphone world, has a long-standing legacy in the industry, with a history dating back to the early days of mobile phones. The brand is mostly known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as providing a clean and straightforward interface with their software skin on top of Android. While they have traditionally been prominent in the budget and midrange categories, Motorola has also occasionally ventured into the high-end category for smartphones.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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