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Updated January 12, 2024·
If saving money is a priority for you, the Motorola Moto G (2023) is the more budget-friendly option compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42. However, the Galaxy A42 offers a slightly larger screen and an OLED display, which generally provides better colors and contrast than the LCD screen on the Moto G. In terms of cameras, both phones have similar main camera capabilities, but the Galaxy A42 has a higher resolution front camera, which could be important if you take a lot of selfies. Both phones have the same battery size, so battery life should be comparable. The Galaxy A42 has a slightly older, but more powerful processor, which could be better for gaming or heavy usage. Keep in mind that the Galaxy A42 was released earlier and may not receive updates for as long as the newer Moto G. Both run on Android, and each model includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. 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 Moto G (2023)
- Good display quality
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.5
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) both have poor overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Motorola Moto G (2023) has poor overall camera performance, including a poorly rated selfie camera, limiting its photography versatility and quality in various conditions such as dynamic range and low light scenarios. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers a better selfie camera along with a fair overall camera performance, suggesting a more reliable photography experience across similar conditions.
Photo Quality
4.5
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) both have poor photos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better photos.
The Motorola Moto G (2023) has a poor photos software experience and selfie quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers a better photos software experience resulting in fair selfie quality. This suggests that the Galaxy A42 will typically produce better selfie photos compared to the Motorola Moto G (2023), particularly due to software optimization in processing the images.
Video Quality
4.3
5.2
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better videos.
The Motorola Moto G (2023) and Samsung Galaxy A42 both take poor videos because they have low video resolution/framerate capabilities, poor video software experience including features and ease of use, subpar video stabilization, limited dynamic range making it difficult to handle contrast in bright or dark scenes, and inadequate low light performance resulting in grainy or unclear footage. Additionally, both phones have only fair microphone quality which affects the audio clarity of recorded videos.
Battery
8.9 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has 8.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$200
$360
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has a price of $200 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
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How the Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$200 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 25, 2023 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 270 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD480+ | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.9 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 | 6.46" x 2.95" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.67 oz | 6.81 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | No | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 7, 12, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 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 | Ink Blue | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
Shopping
Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023)
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Android Authority
Ryan Haines | September 2023
"If you're after Motorola's simplest, most affordable 5G experience, you'll find it in the Moto G 5G (2023). It covers the basics nicely and holds onto creature comforts like a headphone jack and expandable storage, though Motorola's update promise is still lacking and there's still no NFC for contactless payments. An upgraded 120Hz refresh rate, decent primary camera, and battery-sipping processor help to make the Moto G 5G (2023)'s price cut even more valuable."
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 Motorola Moto G (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.
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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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