Both the Motorola one 5G UW ace and the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G target the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. While both leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset, key differences in charging speed and display characteristics create distinct user experiences. This comparison dives deep into these nuances to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola one 5G UW ace emerges as the better choice. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 750G processor and similar battery endurance ratings, the ace’s 20W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the A42 5G’s slower 15W charging. This makes the Motorola a more practical daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 48, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Verizon, USA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 08 | 2020, September 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 08 | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76 x 9.9 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.39 in) | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 213.5 g (7.51 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10 | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.94", 0.8µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
2 MP (macro), AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/2.78", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Volcanic Gray | Prism Dot Black, Prism Dot White, Prism Dot Gray |
| Models | - | SM-A426B, SM-A426B/DS, SM-A4260, SM-A426U, SM-A426U1, SM-A426N |
| Price | About 250 EUR | € 279.99 / £ 139.10 |
| SAR EU | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 144h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.1 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 324686 (v8)
GeekBench: 1910 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola one 5G UW ace
- Faster 20W charging for quicker top-ups
- Identical Snapdragon 750G performance to the A42 5G
- Competitive price point within the budget 5G segment
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially lacking brightness
- Camera details are limited, making image quality assessment difficult
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
- Measured 570 nits peak display brightness
- Identical Snapdragon 750G performance to the Motorola
- Long battery endurance rating of 144 hours
- Slower 15W charging significantly increases downtime
- Camera details are limited, and likely includes a low-resolution macro lens
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 570 nits, offering potentially better visibility in direct sunlight. However, the Motorola one 5G UW ace’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. Both devices feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of IPS LCD panels. Without knowing the panel technology or color accuracy of the Motorola, the A42 5G holds a slight edge based on measured brightness alone, but this advantage is likely marginal for indoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS). This makes a meaningful camera comparison impossible based on the provided data. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A42 5G is a common, but often underwhelming, feature in this price segment. Without further information, it’s safe to assume camera performance will be comparable, leaning towards adequate for casual photography rather than exceptional image quality.
Performance
Both the Motorola one 5G UW ace and the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G are powered by the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. This means performance will be virtually identical for most tasks, including everyday apps, social media, and light gaming. Thermal management will likely be similar, as the 8nm process node offers good efficiency. The absence of LPDDR5x RAM specifications for either device suggests they likely utilize LPDDR4x, which is sufficient for the chipset's capabilities.
Battery Life
Both the Motorola one 5G UW ace and the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G achieve an endurance rating of 144 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Motorola significantly differentiates itself with 20W wired charging, compared to the A42 5G’s slower 15W charging. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time for the Motorola, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed is a more impactful differentiator than a slight capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola one 5G UW ace if you prioritize quick charging and minimizing downtime. Its 20W charging capability is a significant advantage for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G if a slightly brighter display is paramount, and you aren’t concerned about slower charging speeds. The A42 5G’s 570 nits peak brightness may be preferable for outdoor use, though the difference is likely subtle.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 750G in the Motorola one 5G UW ace powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for most users. Expect some frame drops during intense scenes, but overall, it's a capable gaming chipset.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G with its 15W charger?
Based on typical 15W charging rates and a likely battery capacity around 5000mAh, expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. This is significantly slower than the Motorola one 5G UW ace’s 20W charging, which can achieve a full charge in around 1.5 to 2 hours.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
While the Snapdragon 750G supports carrier aggregation, the specific bands and implementation depend on the carrier and region. Check with your mobile carrier to confirm which 5G bands are supported and whether carrier aggregation is enabled for optimal 5G performance on the A42 5G.
