Motorola Moto G42vsMotorola Moto g Play

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Motorola
Motorola Moto G42
Moto G42
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (SM6225)
RAM:4GB
Storage:128GB

Quick Stats

The Moto G42's impressive battery life, lasting over a day and a half, is its standout feature.
The Motorola Moto G42's impressive display is its strongest selling point, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.
The Motorola Moto G42's macro camera is subpar and an insult to consumers, failing to deliver genuine value.
The Motorola Moto G42 offers reliable performance for everyday use, despite some limitations with RAM and connectivity.
Motorola
Motorola Moto g Play
Moto g Play
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 460
RAM:3GB
Storage:32GB

Quick Stats

The Motorola Moto G Play offers impressive battery life with up to two days of moderate use on a single charge.
The Motorola Moto G Play's display is adequate for everyday use, with decent visuals and responsiveness.
The Motorola Moto G Play's camera system excels with quick autofocus, macro mode, and high-quality image and video recording capabilities.
The Motorola Moto G Play offers decent performance for everyday tasks but falls short in demanding areas.
Key Differences

Processor Speed

Winner
Motorola Moto G42
2.40 GHz
Motorola Moto g Play
1.80 GHz

RAM

Winner
Motorola Moto G42
4GB
Motorola Moto g Play
3GB

Storage

Winner
Motorola Moto G42
128GB
Motorola Moto g Play
32GB

Weight

Winner
Motorola Moto G42
174g
Motorola Moto g Play
204g
Specifications Comparison
Specification
Motorola Motorola Moto G42
Motorola Motorola Moto g Play
Model
Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (SM6225)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 460
CPU
4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold + 4x1.9GHz Kryo 265 Silver
4x Kryo 240 1.8 GHz + 4x Kryo 240 1.5 GHz
Type
Octa-Core
Octa-Core
Nanometer
6
11
Frequency
2.40
1.80
64 Bits
Yes
Yes
GPU
Adreno 610
Qualcomm Adreno 610
RAM
4
3
Type
LPDDR4X RAM
LPDDR4X RAM
Capacity
128
32
Type
N/A
eMMC 5.1 Storage
Fingerprint security
Yes, on the side
Yes, in the back
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Proximity sensor
Yes
Yes
Light sensor
Yes
Yes
Accelerometer sensor
Yes
Yes
Compass sensor
Yes
Yes
Gyroscope sensor
Yes
Yes
Audio
Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers
2 microphones
Antutu Score
249000
138156
Antutu Version
Antutu v9
Antutu v8
Antutu Standing
Overall performance better than 59% of devices
Overall performance better than 51% of devices
Cooling system
No
No
Gaming buttons
No
No
Extras
N/A
N/A

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Motorola Moto G42

Strengths

The phone comes with a nice inclusion, a 20W charger and a Type-C to Type-A cable.
The device has a pretty decent display, a 6.4-inch AMOLED display at a resolution of 1080 x 2400, which is great for its price (around €200).
The phone's battery size is impressive, with a 5000mAh capacity, making it suitable for heavy users.
The charging speed is not bad at all, with a 20W charger that can quickly top up the battery.
The display is also quite good in terms of color accuracy and brightness.
The device has a triple camera setup, which might appeal to some users.
The phone's design is sleek and slim, making it comfortable to hold.

Weaknesses

The phone's RAM capacity is on the lower side, with only 4GB available.
There is no 5G connectivity, which is a drawback in today's market where most phones already have this feature.
The secondary camera (8MP ultra-wide) and macro camera (2MP) are not very impressive and can be considered as 'garbage sensors' by the reviewer.
The phone's chipset is a Snapdragon 680, which might not be powerful enough for demanding users.
The macro camera's performance is particularly disappointing, with the reviewer unable to take a clear photo even at close range.

Motorola Moto g Play

Strengths

I'm really happy here with what we're getting
You can definitely capture images that are plenty good for social media maybe you're on vacation you want to capture your various memories and preserve them for the long term I definitely think that the cameras here are perfectly adequate for that
The video and audio quality is pretty good especially for a lower end phone like this one we do have very fast autofocus and video mode as well which is awesome
The speakers get decently loud and it's great to see a headphone jack

Weaknesses

Only 32 gigs of storage which I pointed out in this video
No 5G which I definitely have to be only one of the main shortcomings for me
No NFC so if you're okay with those very shortcomings and you don't want to spend too much on a smartphone then I do think the Moto G play 2023 is worth considering
The phone is made completely of plastic besides the display which is glass, so keep that in mind so you definitely will want to pair this phone up with some sort of case just because plastic is more prone to getting scratched up
Read Full Reviews

Motorola Moto G42

The Motorola Moto G42 is a budget-friendly smartphone that punches above its weight class. With a 6.4-inch AMOLED display, the phone offers impressive visuals for a device in this price range. The spec list leans towards affordability, with a Snapdragon 680 chipset and 4GB of RAM. A 5000mAh battery and 20W fast charging are also notable features. However, the absence of 5G connectivity is a drawback, as is the inclusion of a subpar macro camera sensor.

Motorola Moto g Play

The Motorola Moto G Play is an affordable smartphone that packs a punch despite its modest price tag. With a large display, decent camera capabilities, and impressive battery life, this device is perfect for those who want a reliable phone without breaking the bank. However, like any budget-friendly option, it comes with some compromises, such as limited storage space, no 5G connectivity, and the absence of NFC capabilities. This review will delve into the pros and cons of the Moto G Play to help you decide if it's the right choice for your needs.

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Motorola Moto G42 ReviewRead Motorola Moto g Play Review

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