Motorola’s recent phone launches have been a flurry of activity, and the Moto G42 is the latest addition to their popular G series in India. Slotted between the Moto G22 and the Moto G52, this new 4G smartphone comes at a price of Rs. 13,999 and is available in a single variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Motorola has a reputation for striking a harmonious balance between specifications and pricing in its G series offerings, so let’s delve into the Moto G42 to see if it manages to uphold this standard.
Moto G42: Design and Build
Motorola is clearly aiming for the Moto G42’s design to stand out from the crowd, and I believe they’ve achieved a commendable result. This phone boasts a sleek 8.26mm profile and a featherweight of just 174.5g. The Atlantic Green color I received for review possesses a unique charm, and the matte finish applied to the frame and acrylic back panel adds a touch of refinement. While my experience is still in its early stages, I haven’t encountered any significant fingerprint issues, and the absence of sharp edges contributes to a comfortable grip.
The Moto G42 boasts a pleasing design and comes with a 20W charger in the box
The buttons on the right side of the Moto G42 provide satisfactory feedback, although I found the volume buttons a bit challenging to reach. The phone features stereo speakers enhanced with Dolby Atmos, a headphone jack, and a dedicated microSD card slot within the dual-SIM tray. The raised camera module on the back of the Moto G42 has undergone a subtle redesign, incorporating sharper lines and housing three camera sensors.
Moto G42: Display and Features
The Moto G42 showcases a visually appealing AMOLED display, delivering vibrant colors and adequate brightness. It’s a 6.4-inch panel with a full-HD+ resolution, but unfortunately, it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. This might not pose an issue if you’re upgrading from a phone with a 60Hz display, but if you’re accustomed to a 90Hz screen, the lack of fluidity in system animations and scrolling can feel jarring. With smartphones equipped with 90Hz displays becoming increasingly common within this price range, the G42’s lack of this feature might feel a bit inadequate.
The Moto G42 boasts several noteworthy features, including an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance and a capacitive fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. The phone also supports carrier aggregation, NFC, and FM radio.
Moto G42: Software and Performance
A hallmark of Motorola smartphones has always been their clean and efficient Android experience, and the Moto G42 continues this tradition. The phone runs Android 12 with Motorola’s lightweight customizations. Motorola has committed to providing an upgrade to Android 13 and a generous three years of security updates for the G42.
The user interface of the phone appears polished and, generally, runs smoothly. However, I did notice occasional stutters in animations when accessing the notifications panel or switching between apps. Further usage will be necessary to determine if this is a recurring issue. Powering the phone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC, a relatively power-efficient chip. We have some insight into the expected performance since the Moto G52 also utilizes this processor. The Moto G42 draws power from a 5,000mAh battery and supports 20W fast charging. Motorola includes the compatible charger in the box, alongside other accessories like a clear case.
Moto G42: Camera
The cameras on the Moto G42 appear quite promising on paper. There’s a 16-megapixel front-facing camera, and on the rear, you’ll find a 50-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. A comprehensive review will be necessary to deliver a definitive judgment on their true capabilities.
Moto G42: Conclusion
The Moto G42 seems like a decent contender within its segment, especially when considering Motorola’s long-term update commitment and its aesthetically pleasing design. However, I believe Motorola will face a challenge in attracting buyers to the G42, particularly given the availability of the Moto G52 for just Rs. 500 more. The G52 essentially offers the same specifications and features as the G42 but surpasses it in several areas, including a larger pOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a lighter body, and 33W fast charging. The Redmi Note 11 presents another formidable competitor at this price point, offering very similar features but with a better display and more RAM.
Our in-depth review of the Moto G42 will follow shortly, so stay tuned for a detailed analysis of its performance and camera capabilities. In the interim, considering the alternatives available in this price range, the Moto G42 might struggle to stand out from the crowd.
The Moto G42 features a vivid AMOLED display but only a 60Hz refresh rate
