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Motorola Moto G42

Specifications

Motorola Moto G42
Motorola Moto G42 (Moto G Series)
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G 8 x 1.8 - 2.4 GHz, Kryo 265 Gold (Cortex-A73) / Silver (Cortex-A53)
Graphics adapter
Memory
4 GB 
, LPDDR4X
Display
6.43 inch 20:9, 2400 x 1080 pixel 409 PPI, capacitive, AMOLED, FHD , glossy: yes, HDR, 60 Hz
Storage
64 GB UFS 2.2 Flash, 64 GB 
, 48 GB free
Connections
1 USB 2.0, USB-C Power Delivery (PD), Audio Connections: USB-C, Card Reader: microSD up to 1 TB, 1 Fingerprint Reader, NFC, Brightness Sensor, Sensors: proximity, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer (compass), DRM Widevine L1, Camera2 API Level 3
Networking
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/ax = Wi-Fi 6/), Bluetooth 5.0, 2G (Band 2/3/5/8), 3G (Band 1/2/5/8), 4G (Band 1/2/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41), LTE Cat. 13 DL/Cat. 5 UL, head SAR 0.58 W/kg, body SAR 1.12 W/kg, Dual SIM, LTE, GPS
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 8.3 x 160.6 x 73.5 ( = 0.33 x 6.32 x 2.89 in)
Battery
5000 mAh Lithium-Ion, 18-watt charging
Charging
fast charging / Quickcharge
Operating System
Android 12
Camera
Primary Camera: 50 MPix Triple: 50 MP main camera (f/1.8, 0.64 µm, PDAF); 8 MP ultra-wide angle camera (f/2.2, 1.12 µm); 2 MP macro camera (f/2.4), videos up to 1080p@30fps
Secondary Camera: 16 MPix f/2.2, 1.0 µm, videos up to 1080p@30fps
Additional features
Speakers: stereo, Keyboard: virtual, 20-watt charger, USB Type-C cable, guides, SIM tool, protective case, 24 Months Warranty, IP52 rating, Dolby Atmos, fanless
Weight
175 g ( = 6.17 oz / 0.39 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
250 Euro

 

Price comparison

Average Score: 75.06% - good
Average of 14 scores (from 21 reviews)
price: 61%, performance: 68%, features: 54%, display: 86% mobility: 89%, workmanship: 83%, ergonomy: 79%, emissions: 95%

Reviews for the Motorola Moto G42

80.8% Motorola Moto G42 smartphone review: OLED lightweight with 700 nits at a bargain price | Notebookcheck
The Motorola Moto G42 is impossible to beat, at least from the perspective of its mid-range rivals. With its bright OLED panel, a 5,000 mAh battery, and a 50 MP camera, the 6.4-inch smartphone offers a lot of features, but it's available for just under 200 Euros (~$205).
62% Motorola Moto G42 review
Source: Phone Arena English
Motorola’s Moto G42 without a doubt lacks in more than one department. Its cameras produce generally underwhelming results both with videos and photos, it comes with a very chipset inside that affects the overall user experience, and it doesn’t help that the display is only capable of a 60Hz refresh rate. That being said, this budget phone knows what it wants to be (unlike its sibling, the Moto G62 5G) — a great device for consuming any kind of visual media for an affordable price. Even though you don’t get that much maximum brightness and a higher refresh rate, the OLED display featured here pairs perfectly with the surprisingly good stereo speakers to offer the user an above-average experience. We also can’t forget how power efficient the Moto G42 is, which when combined with the massive battery onboard makes this phone an endurance champion.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/02/2022
Rating: Total score: 62%
Motorola Moto G42 Smartphone Review
Source: OI Spice Tech News English
The Motorola Moto G42 is well defined 4G phone for sure, while at the same time, the near-stock android will render one of the cleanest UI experiences in the Android ecosystem, after pixel phones. It’s basically a phone that has subtle specs according to the price point. However, it can’t be denied that there are a few phones that provide 5G connectivity in the same price range. Although, you have to compromise will lots of things just to get that 5G tag. It’s best to go with a 4G phone like Moto G42 if you have a long-term plan of using the smartphone. The Moto G42 is a great choice with an ample set of features. On the other hand, if you are looking for an alternative, check out the Vivo T1x for customization features and specs.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/14/2022
75% Moto G42 review: A decent phone for your parents
Source: India Today English
Overall, the Moto G42 is a decent smartphone and the best thing is it does not put a hole in your pocket. It is ideal for elderly customers with modest requirements like a good battery and reliable display to watch videos on YouTube. So, if you're looking for a new phone for your parents or anyone who does not have high requirements like gaming or great cameras, it is worth recommending at Rs 13,999. Young customers looking for a relatively more powerful phone with better cameras can check out the Moto G52. You can also refer to our recent list of smartphones under Rs 20,000 in India.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/29/2022
Rating: Total score: 75%
70% Moto G42 review: back to the basics
Source: 91mobiles English
The Moto G42 retails for Rs 13,999 and for the price, gets a few things right. Be that as it may, the handset faces stiff competition from a ton of devices, including but not limited to the Tecno Pova 3 and POCO M4 5G. The former trumps the Motorola smartphone with a 7,000mAh battery, 33W fast charging solution, and 90Hz screen refresh rate, while the POCO M4 rocks a 5G-capable MediaTek Dimensity chipset and 90Hz display. All said and done, buyers vying for an AMOLED screen and clean software will find plenty to like about the Moto G42.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/06/2022
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 60% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 60%
60% Motorola Moto G42 Review: Desperate times for Motorola?
Source: The Times of India English
If you have less than Rs. 15,000 to spend on a phone right now, the Moto G42 is a good option to consider. Battery life on the Moto G42 is great, and so is the display quality as well as the overall Android experience. Even the IP52 certified water-resistant body is a big plus if you are very careless with your phone. For someone seeking a no-frills phone, the Moto G42 is a nice deal. But this is not the best value you can obtain from a phone of this price. Our all-time favourite, the Redmi Note 11, is still a better bet, considering its faster 90Hz OLED display, a faster 33W charging, and slightly better camera performance – all that starting at Rs. 12,999. The Realme Narzo 50 is an even better deal for the same price, considering you get a smoother 120Hz LCD display, a faster Helio G96 chip, a 5000mAh battery, and a 33W wired charger. Even Motorola’s own Moto G52 at Rs. 14,999 is a better option with the same specs but a bigger and better 90Hz pOLED display. The Moto G42, then, is not an easy recommendation, unless you are restricted to that price of Rs. 13,999 and seek nothing other than a Motorola device.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/06/2022
Rating: Total score: 60%
71% Moto G42 Review: Impressive Phone, But Not For Power Users
Source: Think Digit English
The Motorola Moto G42 is an extremely impressive smartphone under ₹15,000. Not only do you get a premium-looking smartphone, but you also get an array of features such as an AMOLED display, stereo speakers with Dolby support, near Stock Android experience, good battery life, and decent real-world performance. All at the competitive price of ₹13,999. However, the camera experience is mediocre, at best.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/06/2022
Rating: Total score: 71% price: 71% performance: 73% workmanship: 71%
Moto G42 First Impressions: Looks Familiar
Source: NDTV Gadgets English
The Moto G42 seems like a decent contender in this segment when you consider the long-term update commitment from Motorola and the pleasing design. However, I feel Motorola is going to have a tough time attracting buyers towards the G42, when the Moto G52 is available for just Rs. 500 more. It essentially has the same specs and features as the G42 but does a few better by offering a larger pOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a lighter body, and 33W fast charging. The Redmi Note 11 is another strong competitor at this price with very similar features but with a better display and more RAM.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 07/04/2022
Motorola Moto G42 Specifications, Pros and Cons
Source: OI Spice Tech News English
The Motorola Moto G42 is announced in June 2022, and the expected price of the phone is $211 (Rs 16,490 in India) approx. As far as the primary specs are concerned, you are getting a 6.4 inches AMOLED panel with 411-pixel density. The Motorola Moto G42 runs on the latest Android 12 OS. Under the hood, the phone is powered by a 6nm – Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G chipset that provides Adreno 610 GPU support. Only a single variant of 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage is there in Motorola Moto G42, while you can expand storage with a dedicated microSDXC card slot. You also get a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security. The Motorola Moto G42 smartphone is equipped with a triple rear camera consisting of a 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. On the front side, you get a 16MP selfie camera on this phone, while you can record 1080p videos at 30fps from both cameras. In terms of the color variant, you can pick from the Blue and Rose color options. Speaking of battery life, the phone is powered by a Li-Po 5000 mAh battery with a 20 W fast charging support.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/14/2022

Foreign Reviews

83% Motorola G42
Source: Chinahandys.net German DE→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/09/2023
Rating: Total score: 83% performance: 90% display: 85% mobility: 80% workmanship: 85%
76% Motorola G42, análisis y opinión
Source: Computerhoy Spanish ES→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/05/2022
Rating: Total score: 76% features: 60% display: 100% mobility: 90% workmanship: 100%
83% Moto g42 5G, análisis: modestia aparte
Source: MuyComputer Spanish ES→EN
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/19/2022
Rating: Total score: 83% performance: 65% display: 90% mobility: 90% workmanship: 90%
Motorola Moto g42. Pros y contras
Source: Ofertaman Spanish ES→EN
Positive: Good price / hardware ratio; long battery life; great display. Negative: Slow charging; no 5G supported.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 12/16/2022
Motorola Moto g42. Pros y contras
Source: Ofertaman Spanish ES→EN
Positive: Good price; powerful hardware; long battery life; big screen; OLED panel. Negative: Slow charging; unsupported 5G; poor display.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/10/2022
50% Motorola Moto G42
Source: Tudo Celular Portuegese PT→EN
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/26/2023
Rating: Total score: 50% price: 50%
Review Moto G42 | Um Moto G perdido entre tantos outros
Source: Canaltech Portuegese PT→EN
Positive: Beautiful design; light weight; long battery life; nice speakers. Negative: Average performance; poor cameras; mediocre display.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/20/2022
84% Recenzja Motorola moto g42 — tanio i dobrze
Source: Android.com.pl Turkish PL→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/14/2022
Rating: Total score: 84% performance: 70% display: 70% mobility: 100% workmanship: 90%
86% Najlepszy telefon do 1000 zł? Test Motorola moto g42!
Source: GSM Maniak Turkish PL→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/28/2022
Rating: Total score: 86% performance: 75% display: 95% mobility: 90%
85% Recenzja Motoroli moto g42. Dobra cena, lepsza jakość
Source: Tabletowo Turkish PL→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/07/2022
Rating: Total score: 85%
85% Обзор Nokia G42: недорогой и сбалансированный смартфон на «чистой» Android 13
Source: ITC UA RU→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/18/2023
Rating: Total score: 85%
Motorola Moto G42 review: smartphone de buget cu ecran OLED și autonomie bună
Source: Go4it.ro →EN
Positive: Good price; nice OLED display; great battery life; decent cameras; stereo speakers.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/31/2022
Motorola Moto G42: ieftin și bun, urmează oferte de neratat
Source: Computerblog.ro →EN
Positive: Long battery life; nice cameras; memory card slot; headphone jack; FM radio; good price. Negative: Slow charging; poor macro camera.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/31/2022

Comment

Model:

The latest to join the Motorola family is none other than the Motorola Moto G42. In terms of its design, this model does not only look sleek, but also offers a slight resistance to the fingers, which makes it possible to hold the smartphone relatively securely in the hand without using the included protective case. In addition, the back cover is not too susceptible to fingerprints too. Apart from that, the IP52 certification ensures that the Moto G42 is protected against dust and splashing water. This smartphone comes in few colour variants which includes the Metallic Rosé and Atlantic Green, which is quite appealing due to its good build quality and subtly glossy plastic surfaces.

As for its build, the plastic chassis makes the Moto G42 pleasantly light. This 6.4-inch phone has been equipped with AMOLED panel with 2400 x 1080 pixels. The triple camera setup protrudes a few millimetres further from the chassis as compared to the Moto G41, which makes the smartphone wobble more easily on flat surfaces. It is also worth mentioning that the Moto G42 no longer has the Google Assistant button which can be found on the Moto G41. As for the fingerprint scanner, it is located in the power button. In comparison to the Moto G41 which takes up about 83% on the front for the display, the Moto G42's display takes up almost 86%, which is due to the display diagonal having been minimally increased from 6.4 to 6.43 inches. Therefore, the screen's bezels are a bit narrower, but the difference is only noticeable when both the smartphones are directly placed next to each other. However, the most striking thing between the two has to be the punch-hole selfie camera which is surrounded by a silver ring in the Moto G41 and that is definitely missing in the Moto G42.

In terms of its performance, this model is powered by the mid-range Snapdragon 680 4G SoC, which is supported by 4 GB of RAM along with a 64GB of storage. In addition, the Adreno 610 is used as the graphics unit. This overall hardware foundation helps the device to achieve a solid system performance. While there are minor delays during use at times, but it is not that bad. As for its camera, the Moto G42's selfie camera has a resolution of 16 MP, and it can record videos in Full HD at 30 frames per second. While there is not much to expect from the picture quality, the camera manages decent selfies, and it blurs the background reliably in Portrait mode. However, it is quickly overshadowed by low-light conditions. The back cover of the phone carries a 50 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultra wide-angle camera, and a 2 MP macro camera. While the latter is more of a nice addition than something actually useful, it is not at all bad at its job given its limited capabilities. In a nutshell, it is a great phone to be explored depending on the need and preference of the user.

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

Qualcomm Adreno 610: Integrated (in the Snapdragon 665) graphics card based on the Adreno 600 architecture. The performance of the GPU is between the Adreno 510 and 512/612 and therefore in the lower mid range. Supports DirectX11_1, Vulkan 1.0, OpenCL 2.0, OpenGL ES 3.2.

Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


SD 680: Fast mid-range ARM SoC with 8 CPU Kryo 265 cores (four fast 2.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A73 based cores in a cluster and four power saving ARM Cortex-A53 based cores at 1.8 GHz) and a rather slow Adreno 610 GPU. Manufactured in 6 nm.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


6.43":

It is a small display format for smartphones. You shouldn't be severely defective in vision, and you won't see much detail on the screen and only have a small resolution available. For that, the device should be small and handy, easy to transport.

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


Motorola: Founded in 1928, the US-based company mainly focuses on communication technology such as smartphones. The original company Motorola Inc was split up in 2011. Motorola Mobility got the smartphone division and was taken over by Google in 2012 and Lenovo in 2014.

The company is known for its cell phones and other electronic devices such as smartwatches, tablets and accessories. Motorola was one of the first companies to produce cell phones, and in recent years has also innovated in the areas of 5G technology and modular smartphones (Moto Mods). Motorola is also active in public safety and professional communications, providing solutions for government agencies, businesses and other organizations. The company has operations in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America and employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. 


75.06%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.


» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

 

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Stefan Hinum (Update: 2022-09- 9)