A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 13, 2024·
The OnePlus 12 carries a higher price but offers a more advanced camera system with features like a higher number of cameras and better overall performance. It has significantly more storage capacity, a larger, crisper screen with a higher refresh rate, a more powerful processor, and more RAM, which translates into faster performance. The Samsung Galaxy A42, while more budget-friendly, has a longer battery life, a lighter weight due to its plastic body, and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which the OnePlus 12 lacks. If budget is less of a concern and you prefer a high-performance phone with better camera capabilities and a more premium build, the OnePlus 12 would be the choice. However, if you're looking for a phone that is more wallet-friendly, has a simple camera setup, and a headphone jack, the Galaxy A42 would be a practical option. 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 OnePlus 12
- Good for taking photos
- Good 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
7.8
5.3
The OnePlus 12 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The OnePlus 12's inferior camera performance is due to its selfie quality, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility, all rated as just "Good", contrasting with its software experience. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy A42, while having a fair software experience and dynamic range, is let down by its poor selfie quality, low light performance, and versatility.
Photo Quality
7.8
5.3
The OnePlus 12 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The OnePlus 12 takes poor photos due to its low scores in the selfies category, which is very important, even though other aspects like resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance are rated good. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A42 shows fair photo capabilities with a poor rating for selfies and subpar performance in other key areas like software experience and dynamic range, which are also important for overall photo quality.
Video Quality
7.0
5.2
The OnePlus 12 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The OnePlus 12 struggles with video capture due to just adequate stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, although its microphone quality stands out. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 falls short in video resolution and frame rate, alongside poorer stabilization and dynamic range, which contributes to its overall lesser video capability.
Battery
8.2 Hours
10.7 Hours
The OnePlus 12 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$800
$360
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The OnePlus 12 has a price of $800 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Screen Size
The OnePlus 12 has a screen size of 6.82 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the OnePlus 12 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| OnePlus 12 | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$800 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 6, 2024 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.82" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3168 x 1440 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 510 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8G3 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.2 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5400 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 50 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (10 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.47" x 2.98" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.76 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 | 5.4 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 7 | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 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 | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Silky Black, Flowy Emerald | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A42
See more
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 OnePlus 12 or the Samsung Galaxy A42
About OnePlus
OnePlus, established in 2013, is a smartphone brand that first became known for providing flagship-like devices, at a fraction of the cost compared to more expensive Android competitors. OnePlus focuses on creating smartphones with powerful hardware at reasonable prices. They also bring hardware features normally not seen in other Android phones sold in the US, such as their ultra-fast “Warp Charge” and the beloved “Alert Slider”.
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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.
Featured in
