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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a high-quality camera is crucial for you, the Google Pixel 7a would be a better choice because it offers superior photo and video quality overall, including features like RAW output and HDR video. However, if you're looking for more value and a larger screen at a more affordable price, the Samsung Galaxy A42 might be more appealing. It also has a longer battery life and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which the Pixel 7a lacks. Both phones are made of plastic, have OLED displays, and run on Android, but the Pixel has a higher refresh rate and slightly more compact dimensions, potentially offering a smoother visual experience. 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 Google Pixel 7a
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
5.3
The Google Pixel 7a has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 7a delivers a superior camera experience with high-quality photo software, better performance in low light, and greater overall camera versatility, including a much higher selfie quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42, which offers fair camera capabilities but is weaker in these areas.
Photo Quality
8.0
5.3
The Google Pixel 7a takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Google Pixel 7a offers a superior selfie experience, with a high selfie quality score, indicative of better performance in resolution, dynamic range, and low light. The Samsung Galaxy A42, despite sporting a higher-resolution selfie camera, falls behind with a lower selfie quality score due to less effective software, lower dynamic range, and weaker low-light capabilities.
Video Quality
7.3
5.2
The Google Pixel 7a takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 7a provides a superior video experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42 due to its higher scores in resolution/framerate, video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, in addition to better microphone quality. These various aspects contribute to better overall video quality, particularly in challenging conditions like low light, making the Pixel 7a a stronger choice for video recording.
Battery
6.9 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 7a has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 7a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$499
$360
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Google Pixel 7a has a price of $499 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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How the Google Pixel 7a and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 7a | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$499 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 10, 2023 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG2 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 64 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4385 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 | 5.98" x 2.87" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 oz | 6.81 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | 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, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (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, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Sea, Snow, Coral, Charcoal | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 7a
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | May 2023
"The Pixel 7a is the best midrange Android phone — period. The camera doesn’t always nail it, but it’s impressively capable for this class. And even though it’s pricier than last year’s model, it comes with some serious upgrades not often seen in this class, like wireless charging."
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 Google Pixel 7a or the Samsung Galaxy A42
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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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8
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Recommendations made
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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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