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Updated January 10, 2024·
If a stylus is important to you and you prefer a more recent model with greater built-in storage, the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) is suitable and generally more affordable. However, if longer battery life and an OLED screen for deeper blacks and more vivid colors are a priority, then the Samsung Galaxy A42 may be worth the higher price. Both phones have a similar screen size and plastic body, but the Galaxy A42's camera has a slightly higher overall quality. The Motorola has a higher refresh rate which is great for smoother scrolling and better gaming performance. Both run on Android and have similar functionality with a few differences in camera features and charging capabilities. 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 Moto G Stylus (2023)
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.7
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) both have poor overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) has poor overall camera capabilities including dynamic range, low light performance, camera versatility, and selfie quality, which are all below average. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers fair camera versatility and selfie quality, although it also struggles with poor dynamic range and low light performance, but it still rates slightly higher than the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) in these aspects.
Photo Quality
4.8
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) both have poor photos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better photos.
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) has a lower selfie quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42, impacting its overall photo-taking performance negatively. Furthermore, camera versatility and low light performance are poor for the Motorola device, whereas the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers fair capabilities in these aspects, resulting in a better photo experience overall.
Video Quality
4.4
5.2
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better videos.
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy A42 both produce poor videos largely because they have issues with video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance. Additionally, while the Motorola has fair video resolution/framerate and mic quality, the Samsung matches in mic quality but is only rated as good for video software experience, suggesting that overall, users may find the video capabilities of both phones to be underwhelming for different reasons.
Battery
7.8 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$230
$360
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) has a price of $230 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
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How the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 2, 2023 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 399 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD6G1 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 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 | 6.41" x 2.91" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.13 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 | 5.1 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 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 | Cosmic Black | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
Shopping
Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
John Velasco | July 2023
"Now in its third generation iteration, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) takes the incremental step of being taken more seriously — backed by a cleaner design, upgraded chipset, and a 120Hz display refresh rate. What makes it different from other phones today is that it’s packaged with a stylus that tucks inside of the phone when it’s not being used."
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 Moto G Stylus (2023) 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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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
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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