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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for premium features like a better camera, the iPhone 15 Pro is superior with its advanced photography capabilities, but it comes at a higher price. The iPhone also tends to have better performance and a more recent release, meaning more current software and potentially longer support. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A42 is more budget-friendly with a larger screen and significantly longer battery life due to a larger battery capacity, making it a good choice if you prioritize screen real estate and battery endurance over camera quality and processing power. The Galaxy A42 also has a plastic build which might be less premium feeling than the iPhone's materials but may also be more durable. The operating systems are different, with the iPhone on iOS and the Galaxy A42 on Android, which may influence your decision based on your ecosystem preference. 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 15 Pro
- Best in class for taking photos
- Best in class for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
9.5
5.3
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro has best in class overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro features outstanding camera performance across the board, excelling in software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, selfie quality, and camera versatility, making its overall camera system significantly superior. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers a fair camera experience with its performance lagging behind, particularly in dynamic range, low light photography, and selfie quality, which are far from the iPhone's high standards.
Photo Quality
9.5
5.3
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro delivers the best selfies with top-notch software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance while also providing a more versatile camera system. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers fair selfie quality with good software experience and dynamic range but underperforms in low light conditions and camera versatility.
Video Quality
10.0
5.2
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro takes best in class videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is known for its superior video capabilities due to its higher video resolution and framerate, a more refined video software experience, better video stabilization, greater dynamic range, enhanced low light performance, and superior microphone quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 does not match up in these aspects, offering a lower quality video experience across resolution and framerate, software, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone capabilities.
Battery
7.3 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro has 7.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$900
$360
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro has a price of $900 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$900 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 461 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A17 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 9.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 10/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.3 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3274 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 | 5.77" x 2.78" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.60 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 | 6e | 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 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 Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2023
"The iPhone 15 Pro is the one to get if you want a powerful flagship you can easily use it with one hand. Not only is the titanium design stronger and lighter, Apple made the design smaller with slimmer bezels. You also get very strong cameras with night mode and portrait improvements, blazing performance from the A17 Pro chip and a smart Action button."
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 15 Pro 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
68
Phones evaluated
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
86,190
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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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