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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a better camera and longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A42 would be the better pick, even though it's generally more expensive than the Motorola Edge (2020). However, if saving money is your main concern and you're willing to compromise on camera performance and battery longevity for a lower price tag, then the Motorola Edge (2020) could be the right choice for you. Both devices feature plastic bodies, OLED screens, and run on Android but the Motorola has a slightly larger screen and a higher refresh rate which could mean smoother visuals. Keep in mind that the Samsung has more than three extra hours of battery life, which can be crucial if you're often on the move and away from charging points. 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 (2020)
- Good display quality
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 Edge (2020) both have poor overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Motorola Edge (2020) has poorer camera capabilities primarily due to a lower selfie score which is very important and the phone's overall poor performance in photos resolution, photos dynamic range, and photos low light performance. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers fair cameras with a somewhat better selfie experience, and a fair rating in camera versatility and video software experience, despite both phones having limitations in video resolution and stabilization, as well as microphone quality.
Photo Quality
4.8
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Edge (2020) both have poor photos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better photos.
The Motorola Edge (2020) has a poor selfie score due to lower performance in selfie photo quality, which is considered very important, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 manages a fair selfie score, signifying slightly better performance in important factors like selfies resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance.
Video Quality
4.2
5.2
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Motorola Edge (2020) both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better videos.
The Motorola Edge (2020) suffers in video quality due to a low video software experience, while the Samsung Galaxy A42's shortcomings in video can be partly attributed to its poor microphone quality. Both phones are hampered by their limited video capabilities and lack of refinement in video-related features such as stabilization and dynamic range.
Battery
7.8 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2020) has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$120
$360
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Motorola Edge (2020) has a price of $120 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2020) has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
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How the Motorola Edge (2020) and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Edge (2020) | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$120 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 29, 2020 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 385 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD765G | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 64 megapixels | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 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 | 6.36" x 2.8" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.63 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, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 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 | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Solar Black | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
Shopping
Motorola Edge (2020)
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TechRadar
Tom Bedford | July 2020
"The Motorola Edge has a battery that won’t leave you wanting, whether you just want to take some pictures, or play games and record videos for much of the day, so if you don’t want to worry about having to top up your device all the time, the Edge might be a good choice. Leaving aside its impressive specs and features, the Motorola Edge just looks pretty good, and it feels great in the hand too, so if ‘style’ is a factor in your phone-buying decisions the Edge is well worth a look."
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 (2020) 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
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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.
Jason Lew
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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
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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