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Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prioritize a more compact design and superior processing power, and are comfortable with iOS, the iPhone SE (2022) is a suitable option, though it comes with higher cost. On the other hand, if you prefer a larger screen with OLED technology, longer battery life, and the flexibility of Android, at a lower price point, the Samsung Galaxy A42 would be a better fit. Keep in mind that the iPhone SE (2022) has a smaller LCD screen and the camera is adequate for most users, whereas the Galaxy A42 offers a more versatile camera setup with a higher megapixel count. 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 SE (2022)
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Video Quality
6.6
5.2
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) performs better in video recording than the Samsung Galaxy A42 due to superior video stabilization, dynamic range, and microphone quality. While both phones have similar low-light video performance, the iPhone's video software experience is significantly better, contributing to its overall higher capability in video creation.
Battery
4.9 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a screen size of 4.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$429
$360
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
5.7
5.3
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor overall cameras quality.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has fair cameras with downsides including poor dynamic range and low light performance, though it offers a very good selfie camera. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy A42 also has fair cameras, suffering from poor selfie quality, and like the iPhone SE, exhibits poor photos dynamic range and low light capabilities, which might not suit those seeking high-quality imagery in various conditions.
Photo Quality
5.5
5.3
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor photos.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Samsung Galaxy A42 both take fair photos, mainly due to their average selfie quality; neither excels in capturing self-portraits, which is a very important aspect of overall photo performance. Additionally, both phones exhibit limitations in other key areas like dynamic range and low light performance, affecting their ability to capture high-quality images across different lighting conditions.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 18, 2022 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 4.7" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.9 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2018 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.45" x 2.65" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.08 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)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 | Fingerprint sensor: Front | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Midnight, Starlight, Red | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Samuel Axon | March 2022
"Thanks to the inclusion of the A15 chip, the SE is likely to be supported for years to come. That makes it the best deal in smartphones today for folks who just want something simple and don't care about the frills. The iPhone SE is a great deal if you're more interested in the basics than the latest flashy features.. It's also a great option for people who prefer to use their phones one-handed—a dying breed, we know."
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 SE (2022) 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
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,100
Recommendations made
86,190
Consumer hours saved
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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