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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a better camera and longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A42 may be the right choice as it offers a higher quality camera system and longer battery life compared to the Galaxy A13. However, it often comes at a higher price. On the other hand, if you are looking to save money, the Galaxy A13 is considerably less expensive and still provides decent camera capabilities and battery life. Both have similar screen sizes and resolutions, but the Galaxy A42 features an OLED screen which generally displays more vivid colors and deeper blacks than the LCD screen on the A13. Keep in mind that the A42 also has 5G connectivity, which can allow for faster internet speeds if your area supports it. 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 Samsung Galaxy A13
- The Samsung Galaxy A13 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy A42.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.4
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Samsung Galaxy A13 both have poor overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A13's camera performance suffers due to its poor scores across important factors like selfie quality, photo resolution, dynamic range, low-light performance, and camera versatility; whereas the Samsung Galaxy A42 shows improvement with a fair selfie quality and slightly better versatility, though both share underwhelming aspects in photo software experience and low light capabilities. The A42's OLED screen also contributes to a richer viewing experience for photos and videos when compared to A13's LCD display.
Photo Quality
4.4
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Samsung Galaxy A13 both have poor photos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A13 takes poor photos mainly because of its lower selfie quality, combined with weak photo resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The Samsung Galaxy A42, while having only fair photo capabilities, provides a better balance with superior selfie quality and camera versatility, leading to generally more satisfactory images, particularly for users valuing front-camera performance.
Video Quality
4.0
5.2
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Samsung Galaxy A13 both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A13 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 take poor videos mainly because both have low scores for video resolution/framerate and video stabilization, essential for capturing smooth and clear footage. Additionally, they struggle with dynamic range and low light performance in videos, which affects recording quality in various lighting conditions, and they only offer fair microphone quality for audio capture.
Battery
8.7 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A13 has 8.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$120
$360
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Samsung Galaxy A13 has a price of $120 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A13 has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A13 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$120 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 3, 2021 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 270 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | D700 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.7 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.48" x 3.01" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.88 oz | 6.81 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 2, 5, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77 | (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: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A13
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Police
Taylor Kerns | March 2022
"Should you buy it? Yes. I like this phone a lot more than I expected to. Performance is great for the price, battery life is really strong, and compared to other phones in this price range, its cameras aren’t bad at all."
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 Samsung Galaxy A13 or the Samsung Galaxy A42
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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