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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a high priority, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a significantly better camera system, but if budget is a concern, the Samsung Galaxy A42 is much less expensive but comes with a lower-quality camera. The iPhone also has a more robust processor, which will be faster and more efficient for multitasking or demanding apps. However, the Galaxy A42 does have a good battery life because of its larger battery capacity. When it comes to display size, both phones have large screens, but the iPhone has a higher resolution and more vibrant display technology. Keep in mind that the iPhone runs on iOS and the Galaxy A42 on Android, which could affect your choice based on your preference for operating systems and available apps. 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 Pro Max
- Good for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
5.3
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts superior selfie quality, higher resolution photos, more advanced photo software, and more effective low-light performance, making it the preferable option for those seeking a robust camera experience. However, the Samsung Galaxy A42 is less expensive, which could make it a more attractive choice for customers prioritizing budget over camera capabilities.
Photo Quality
7.8
5.3
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is known for excellent camera versatility and notably good low-light performance, which contribute to its high-quality photos. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy A42 has limited camera capabilities with lower performance in areas like low light and dynamic range, leading to fair photo quality.
Video Quality
8.6
5.2
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max delivers excellent video quality with top-notch stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, which is further complemented by its superior microphone quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers fair video capabilities with less effective stabilization and dynamic range, and it struggles in low light conditions, paired with only modest microphone performance.
Battery
9.6 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has 9.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$639
$360
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has a price of $639 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$639 | $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 | 6.7" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 458 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.6 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4352 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 | 6.33" x 3.07" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.47 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, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 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 | Alpine Green, Graphite, Sierra Blue, Gold, Silver | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
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Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | March 2023
"The iPhone 13 Pro Max is that rare phone that gets a 5-star rating from us. You get blistering performance and a very responsive 120Hz display. Plus, the battery life is among the best we’ve seen from a 5G flagship. Some may simply prefer the iPhone 13 Pro because it’s smaller and lighter, as there are no other functional differences between the two handsets. But if you prefer a bigger screen, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the closest thing to perfect you can get in a phone."
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 13 Pro Max 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.
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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.
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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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