Motorola Moto X40 vs Moto G42: A Clash of Titans (and Budget Phones)

Motorola offers a wide range of smartphones, catering to different budgets and needs. The Moto X40 represents their flagship ambitions, while the Moto G42 targets the budget-conscious consumer. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto X40 is the clear winner in terms of performance and features, boasting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and blazing-fast charging. However, the Moto G42 offers incredible value for its price, making it a compelling option for those on a tight budget. It depends on your priorities and budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto X40 Motorola Moto G42
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66 - LATAM, Brazil
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India
Launch
Announced2022, December 152022, June 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 22Available. Released 2022, June 28
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)160.4 x 73.5 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)175 g (6.17 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)Water-repellent design
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+AMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 610
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, MYUI 6.0Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256GB/512GB-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF50 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)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Ready For 3.5 support-
Battery
Charging125W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 7 min 15W wireless 5W reverse wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueAtlantic Green, Metallic Rose
ModelsXT2301-5XT2233-2
PriceAbout 540 EURAbout 170 EUR

Motorola Moto X40

  • Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • 125W SuperFast Charging
  • Likely High Refresh Rate AMOLED Display
  • Premium Build Quality (likely)
  • Superior Camera Performance

  • Higher Price Point
  • Potentially Larger Size/Weight
  • May lack expandable storage

Motorola Moto G42

  • Affordable Price
  • Decent AMOLED Display
  • Reliable Performance for Basic Tasks
  • Compact and Lightweight
  • Expandable Storage (likely)

  • Slower Performance
  • Slower Charging
  • Less Impressive Camera
  • Plastic Build (likely)

Display Comparison

The Moto X40 likely features a high refresh rate AMOLED display (estimated 144Hz) with vibrant colors and excellent contrast, potentially with a curved edge. The Moto G42 has a standard 6.4-inch AMOLED display, likely with a 60Hz refresh rate. The X40 offers a significantly smoother and more immersive visual experience.

Camera Comparison

While both phones have multiple cameras, the Moto X40's sensor sizes and image processing capabilities are likely superior. Expect better low-light performance, more detail, and more dynamic range from the X40. The G42 offers a decent camera for its price range, but it won't compete with flagship-level performance.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Moto X40 provides a massive performance advantage over the Snapdragon 680 in the Moto G42. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and effortless gaming on the X40. The G42 is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Moto X40's 125W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. While the Moto G42 has a respectable battery capacity, its 18W charging is considerably slower. Both phones likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Moto X40 is ideal for power users, gamers, and anyone who demands top-tier performance and cutting-edge features. The Motorola Moto G42 is perfect for students, first-time smartphone buyers, or anyone seeking a reliable and affordable device for everyday tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Moto X40 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, fast charging, and a premium experience, the Moto X40 is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget, the Moto G42 offers excellent value.
❓ Does the Moto G42 have expandable storage?
Yes, the Moto G42 typically includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage, a feature often missing in higher-end phones.