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Updated January 10, 2024·
If a better camera is essential to you, consider the Apple iPhone 12 mini, which offers higher photo and video quality than the Samsung Galaxy A42. However, if you prioritize a longer battery life and a larger screen size, the Samsung Galaxy A42 might suit you better. The iPhone 12 mini operates on iOS, while the Galaxy A42 uses Android, so your preference for the operating system should also influence your decision. Additionally, if the build materials are important to you, note that the iPhone 12 mini has a glass back, whereas the Galaxy A42 comes with a plastic back. Keep in mind, both phones fall in a similar budget price range and have comparable storage capacity. 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 12 mini
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
5.3
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini is noted for its excellent selfie camera and overall superior photos software experience, featuring good dynamic range and low light performance, which makes it a compelling choice for users prioritizing photography capabilities. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers fair cameras with poorer low light performance and dynamic range, reflected by its lower selfie quality; however, it maintains a fair overall camera versatility similar to the iPhone 12 mini.
Photo Quality
7.1
5.3
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini provides a significantly better selfie experience, offering very good selfie quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42's fair selfie quality. This difference can be attributed to a combination of the iPhone's higher overall camera quality, including better software, dynamic range, and low light performance, while the Galaxy A42 falls short in these areas.
Video Quality
7.2
5.2
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini delivers superior video quality with high video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, as well as better microphone quality, contributing to a smoother and more vivid video capture experience. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A42 trails behind with a lower video software experience and stabilization, less dynamic range, inferior low-light performance, and poorer microphone quality, which collectively lead to less impressive video recordings.
Battery
5.1 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$300
$360
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 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 | 5.1 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 12 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.18" x 2.53" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 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 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (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 | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12 mini
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | September 2022
"If you’re going to opt for an iPhone and you want a smaller device without buying up the latest iPhone 13 mini, this is the perfect option for you – and it’s one of the smallest 5G phones on the market too. The camera is versatile, the screen is fantastic, it comes with reams of power and the added benefits of 5G and MagSafe mean this is a phone that will last you for years to come."
Samsung Galaxy A42
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Dig into reviews and images
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 12 mini 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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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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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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