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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority, the iPhone 14 Plus has a better overall camera system with higher photo and video quality compared to the Galaxy A42. However, if you're looking for longer battery life and a more affordable option, the Galaxy A42 might suit your needs. The A42 also has the flexibility of a headphone jack and an SD card slot, which the iPhone lacks, and it supports 5G. The iPhone, on the other hand, has a more premium build quality with a glass back versus the A42's plastic, and offers a larger screen size. Keep in mind, the iPhone uses iOS while the A42 uses Android, so consider which operating system you prefer. 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 14 Plus
- 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
8.0
5.3
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus offers an outstanding selfie camera experience and excellent photo versatility, supported by high-quality performance across dynamic range, low light, and overall photo and video software experience. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 delivers a fair selfie experience, with relatively lower performance in dynamic range and low-light situations, and less versatile camera options.
Photo Quality
7.9
5.3
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus delivers better photo quality than the Samsung Galaxy A42 because it provides a superior software experience, which enhances overall image results, and it scores much higher in selfie quality, which is very important for self-portrait photography. Conversely, the Galaxy A42's camera capabilities are hampered by weaker software support and a lower selfie quality score, indicating less impressive performance in crucial areas such as dynamic range and low-light situations.
Video Quality
8.8
5.2
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus outshines the Samsung Galaxy A42 in video recording due to its top-tier video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, ensuring smooth, well-exposed videos even in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the iPhone 14 Plus delivers a superior video software experience and mic quality, ensuring clear audio and user-friendly video capture, as opposed to the Galaxy A42 which falls short in these aspects.
Battery
9.3 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus has 9.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$729
$360
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus has a price of $729 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus 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 14 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$729 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 7, 2022 | 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 | No | 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 | 8.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 9.3 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4325 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 | 7.16 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 | 5.3 | 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 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, Yellow, Midnight, Starlight, Red | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | October 2022
"If it’s time for an upgrade and you’ve been eyeing the big iPhone, but you’d rather get the best battery life possible than the very latest features, then the iPhone 14 Plus is for you. You get a significant boost in battery life, no matter what iPhone you’re upgrading from. That’s a combination of features that a lot of people will find appealing, and the 14 Plus delivers on its promises."
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 14 Plus 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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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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