The Motorola Moto G series consistently delivers excellent value in the budget smartphone market. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Moto G13 and the Moto G42. Which one offers the best bang for your buck?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto G42 edges out the G13 thanks to its more efficient 6nm chipset, slightly better camera performance, and overall smoother experience. While the G13 boasts a larger screen, the G42’s Snapdragon 680 provides a noticeable performance advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66 - LATAM, Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 24 | 2022, June 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 24 | Available. Released 2022, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) | 160.4 x 73.5 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183.5 g (6.49 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| | Water-resistant design | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W or 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Charcoal, Blue Lavender, Rose Gold | Atlantic Green, Metallic Rose |
| Models | - | XT2233-2 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Motorola Moto G13
- Larger Display
- Good Value for Money
- Decent Battery Life
- Less Efficient Chipset
- Slightly Slower Performance
- Average Camera
Motorola Moto G42
- More Efficient Chipset
- Better Performance
- Improved Camera Quality
- Sleeker Design
- Smaller Display
- Slightly Higher Price
Display Comparison
The Moto G13 features a larger 6.6-inch display, offering more screen real estate for videos and games. The Moto G42 has a 6.4-inch display. Both utilize an FHD+ resolution, but the G42's panel is generally considered to have slightly better color accuracy and brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a triple-camera setup. The G42 generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, thanks to its more advanced image processing capabilities. Both have a main 50MP sensor, but the G42's software optimization is superior.
Performance
Here's where the G42 shines. The Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is significantly more efficient than the Helio G85 (12nm) in the G13. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the G42. The G13 can handle everyday tasks, but may struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
The Moto G13 has a larger 5000mAh battery compared to the G42's 5000mAh. However, the G42's more efficient chipset means it often delivers slightly better battery life in real-world usage. Both offer similar charging speeds (18W for G42, 20W/10W for G13).
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto G13 is ideal for users prioritizing a larger display for media consumption and gaming on a tight budget. The Motorola Moto G42 is a better choice for those seeking a more responsive and efficient device with a slightly improved camera, even if it means a smaller screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Moto G42 is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful and efficient chipset. However, neither phone is a gaming powerhouse.
❓ Does the Moto G13 support 5G?
No, neither the Moto G13 nor the Moto G42 support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G LTE devices.
❓ What are the software updates like on these phones?
Motorola typically provides timely software updates for its devices. Both phones run Android with Motorola's My UX overlay, offering a near-stock Android experience.
