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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a higher-quality camera and longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A42 is the better choice. However, if you prefer smoother performance and a phone with a more premium feel due to its glass back and higher refresh rate screen, the OnePlus 9 would suit you more, even though it is slightly less expensive than the Galaxy A42. Keep in mind that the OnePlus 9 has a more powerful processor and more RAM, which can be important for multitasking and overall speed, but the Samsung Galaxy A42 provides more battery usage time per charge. Both phones run on Android, so your choice may come down to these specific preferences. 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 9
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.0
5.3
The OnePlus 9 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The OnePlus 9 offers a good overall camera experience with a special highlight on selfies, performing well in dynamic range, low light, and versatility, though it lags in video microphone quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 has only a fair performance in selfies, and its camera experience is let down by poor dynamic range and low light performance, but it provides a good software experience for photos.
Photo Quality
6.7
5.3
The OnePlus 9 takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The OnePlus 9 takes fair photos with a good selfie quality, whereas the Samsung Galaxy A42 also yields fair photos but with poor selfie quality. Both phones have limitations in dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, but the OnePlus has a better software experience for photos.
Video Quality
5.9
5.2
The OnePlus 9 and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor videos, though the OnePlus 9 takes somewhat better videos.
The OnePlus 9 takes fair videos partly due to its good video stabilization and dynamic range along with excellent mic quality, although its low light performance is poor. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos which could be attributed to its only fair stabilization and mic quality, and its performance in dynamic range and low light is also poor.
Battery
6.9 Hours
10.7 Hours
The OnePlus 9 has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$360
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The OnePlus 9 has a price of $399 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The OnePlus 9 has a screen size of 6.55 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
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How the OnePlus 9 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 26, 2021 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 402 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 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 | 6.29" x 2.92" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.77 oz | 6.81 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 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, 20, 25, 28, 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 | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Astral Black, Arctic Sky, Winter Mist | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
OnePlus 9
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
David Lumb | April 2021
"If you’re hunting for the best Android camera phone at this price, and one that doesn’t skimp on specs the OnePlus 9 is worth considering. Courtesy of a partnership with Hasselblad, the cameras offer better color correction, and both regular and ultra-wide photos look great. The OnePlus 9’s battery fully charges in under 30 minutes over a cable, and in 45 minutes using wireless charging. If you hate waiting for hours to charge your phone, you'll love the OnePlus 9."
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 OnePlus 9 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.
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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
153,000
Recommendations made
86,700
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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