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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple iPhone 13 is a high-end device with a better overall camera quality, including excellent video capabilities and a higher-quality display but at an upper midrange price. It's designed for those who prefer a more premium experience with iOS and are willing to pay for it. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A42 is more budget-friendly with a larger screen and longer battery life. It's made with a plastic back and has a lower camera quality but is a solid choice for an Android user looking for value. Consider the iPhone 13 if camera and display quality are priorities and budget isn't a major concern; opt for the Galaxy A42 if you're after a larger screen, longer battery life, and a more affordable price with decent performance. 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 13
- Good for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.7
5.3
The Apple iPhone 13 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 13 boasts superior camera capabilities with excellent software, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, which contributes to its very good selfie quality. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers fair cameras with more modest performance in these aspects and a lower selfie quality, thus making it less versatile for various photography conditions.
Photo Quality
7.5
5.3
The Apple iPhone 13 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 13 takes very good photos primarily due to superior software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and a higher selfie score. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42's overall photo quality is considered fair, with its software experience for photos being just good, and it has lower scores in dynamic range, low light performance, and selfie quality.
Video Quality
8.0
5.2
The Apple iPhone 13 takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 13 offers a superior video recording experience with very good stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, as well as the best video software experience and mic quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 falls short in video quality, with only fair stabilization, poor dynamic range, and low-light performance, accompanied by good video software experience but fair mic quality.
Battery
7.1 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 13 has 7.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 13 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$630
$360
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 13 has a price of $630 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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How the Apple iPhone 13 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 13 | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$630 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 24, 2021 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.1/10 | 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 | 3240 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.14 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, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 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, Pink, Midnight, Starlight, Green, Red | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 13
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | September 2022
"The iPhone 13 isn’t a game changer for Apple’s series of smartphones, but it’s an important iteration that offers better battery life, a better processor and an upgraded camera setup than iPhones that have gone before it. If you’re looking for a fast and capable smartphone, and don’t need the extra features of the pricier Pro model, this is a top choice."
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 13 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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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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