A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If photography is a passion, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) has a superior camera system, offering higher quality for both still photos and videos than the Samsung Galaxy A42. However, if you're budget-conscious and can compromise on camera capabilities, the Galaxy A42 is more wallet-friendly. The Motorola Edge+ (2023) boasts a more vibrant screen with a higher refresh rate, enhancing your viewing and gaming experiences, but comes at a higher price. For battery life, the Galaxy A42 edges ahead, which could be crucial if you're often on the go and away from charging options. Both phones are Android-based, so your software experience will be quite similar. If you prefer a larger storage capacity and better performance, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) is your choice, but the Galaxy A42 offers a cost-effective alternative with decent 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 Motorola Edge+ (2023)
- Good display quality
- Excellent performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.3
5.3
The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Motorola Edge+ (2023) edges out the Samsung Galaxy A42 with a better selfie camera experience, which is very important for many users, making it an appealing choice for selfie enthusiasts. However, when looking at factors like camera software, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, both phones offer a fair experience, with the Motorola showing slightly better performance in versatility and selfie quality, while their video capabilities are similarly ranked, with no clear winner between the two.
Photo Quality
6.2
5.3
The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Motorola Edge+ (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy A42 both take fair selfies because of their similar selfie quality levels; however, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) has slightly better camera versatility, which includes features such as more camera types and zoom capabilities. Both phones show limitations in photo software experience and dynamic range, and while the Motorola has a fair performance in low light conditions, the Samsung struggles more in this aspect.
Video Quality
5.8
5.2
The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor videos, though the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) takes somewhat better videos.
The Motorola Edge+ (2023) offers better video resolution and frame rate, enhanced video software, and superior video stabilization, contributing to its fair video performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 has lower video resolution and frame rate, a reduced video software experience, and less effective video stabilization, resulting in its poor video performance.
Battery
9.3 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) has 9.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$500
$360
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) has a price of $500 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Screen Size
The Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) has a screen size of 6.67 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$500 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 19, 2023 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 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 | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8G2 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 512 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.3 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5100 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.35" x 2.91" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.16 oz | 6.81 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 7 | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 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: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Interstellar Black | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
DigitalTrends
Joe Maring | May 2023
"Just about everything I want in a high-end Android phone is here. The Edge Plus looks and feels [sic] great, the display is outstanding, performance is rock-solid, the software is organized and helpful, battery life is phenomenal, and it doesn’t take too long to get the phone back to 100% when it does eventually die. The best part? You get all of that for hundreds of dollars less than similar phones from Google and Samsung."
Samsung Galaxy A42
See more
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 Motorola Edge+ (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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) vs. OnePlus 12R
VS
Compare Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) vs. Google Pixel 7a
VS
Compare Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023) vs. OnePlus 9 Pro
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy A42 vs. Samsung Galaxy A23
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy A42 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21+
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy A42 vs. OnePlus 9
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
125,100
Recommendations made
70,890
Consumer hours saved
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.
Seth Peoples
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.
Featured in
