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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a phone with a better camera system, Apple iPhone 11 would be the superior choice compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42 as it offers higher quality in both still photo and video capture. The iPhone 11 also has a more powerful processor, which could translate to better overall performance. However, if battery life is a higher priority for you, the Galaxy A42 boasts a longer battery life. The Galaxy A42 also offers features like 5G connectivity and an SD card slot for expandable storage, which the iPhone 11 lacks. The iPhone 11 has an LCD screen, while the Galaxy A42 offers an OLED display, which typically provides better contrast and deeper blacks. Lastly, the operating system could be a determining factor, with the iPhone 11 running iOS and the Galaxy A42 running Android. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 11
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6
5.3
The Apple iPhone 11 has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 11 has a good selfie camera quality but a poor camera software experience, dynamic range, and low-light performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers a fair selfie camera quality with generally poor photo capabilities across dynamic range, low-light performance, and versatility.
Photo Quality
6.2
5.3
The Apple iPhone 11 takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy A42 both offer fair photo quality; however, the iPhone 11 takes better selfies due to its higher selfie quality, although its overall camera versatility is limited. The Galaxy A42, while having more modest selfie performance, struggles with dynamic range and low light conditions, resulting in less vibrant and clear photos compared to those taken by the iPhone.
Video Quality
6.8
5.2
The Apple iPhone 11 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 11 provides a better video software experience, including superior stabilization and dynamic range, leading to fair video quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 struggles in these areas as well as in low light performance, resulting in poor video quality.
Battery
7.1 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 11 has 7.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 11 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$271
$360
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Apple iPhone 11 has a price of $271 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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How the Apple iPhone 11 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 11 | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$271 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 20, 2019 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1792 x 828 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A13 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.1 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3110 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.94" x 2.98" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 oz | 6.81 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | N/A | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black, White, Green, Purple, Red, Yellow | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 11
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2021
"The iPhone 11 delivers superb cameras, fast performance and excellent battery life, making it the iPhone to buy for many people. The cameras are very good, thanks to an ultra-wide lens and a Night mode for better low-light performance. This device also has IP68-rated water resistance, which means that it can withstand 2 meters of water for 30 minutes, and is one of the best waterproof phones out there."
Samsung Galaxy A42
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Android Central
Ara Wagoner | July 2021
"I need a battery that won't care if I forget to charge it every night, and I need a nice big screen for watching my shows on the go. The 5,000mAh battery will let you get two full days out of the A42. The A42 is right up your alley as an affordable 5G phone that won't die just because you had to crash at a friend's and forgot your phone charger at home."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 11 or the Samsung Galaxy A42
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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