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 G31 and the Moto G42. Which one offers the best bang for your buck?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto G42 emerges as the winner thanks to its more efficient chipset, faster charging, and improved display. While the G31 offers a larger battery, the G42's overall performance and modern features make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66 - LATAM, Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/150 Mbps | 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 | 2021, November 18 | 2022, June 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 06 | Available. Released 2022, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 2.91 x 0.34 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 | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| | Water-repellent design | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | 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 11, upgradable to Android 12 | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 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 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 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 | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mineral Grey, Baby Blue | Atlantic Green, Metallic Rose |
| Models | XT2173-3 | XT2233-2 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Motorola Moto G31
- Larger battery capacity
- Slightly larger screen
- Generally more affordable
- Less efficient chipset
- Slower charging
- IPS LCD display
- Lower overall performance
Motorola Moto G42
- AMOLED display
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 680)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Improved camera performance
- Modern design
- Slightly smaller battery (though comparable in real-world usage)
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Moto G42 boasts a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and deeper blacks compared to the G31's 6.4-inch IPS LCD display. The G42's AMOLED panel provides a noticeably better viewing experience, especially for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 50MP main camera, but the G42's image processing and overall camera system are generally considered superior. The G42 often produces more detailed and accurate photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The G31's camera is decent, but lacks the refinement of the G42.
Performance
The Snapdragon 680 in the Moto G42 is significantly more efficient than the Helio G85 in the G31. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness. The G42's 6nm process also contributes to improved power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Moto G31 has a larger 5000mAh battery compared to the G42's 5000mAh battery. However, the G42's more efficient chipset allows it to achieve similar or even better battery life in real-world usage. The G42 also supports 18W fast charging, while the G31 is limited to 10W.
Buying Guide
The Moto G31 is a good option for users prioritizing maximum battery life and a slightly larger screen on a tight budget. The Moto G42 is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, faster charging, and a more modern design, even if it means a slightly smaller battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Moto G42, thanks to its Snapdragon 680, generally offers better and smoother gaming performance compared to the Moto G31.
❓ Is the Moto G42's AMOLED display worth the extra cost?
Yes, the AMOLED display on the Moto G42 provides a significantly better viewing experience with vibrant colors and deeper blacks, making it worthwhile for most users.
