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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera quality and battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A42 is the better option as it offers marginally better overall camera quality and longer battery life. However, if you prefer a crisper display with higher refresh rates, you might lean towards the Samsung Galaxy A23, which has a superior screen quality and a higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations. Both phones have a large screen of the same size, plastic bodies, and support 5G connectivity. They run on Android with similar storage capacities and neither has wireless charging, but the A23 is newer and lighter, which may offer a more modern design and slightly enhanced portability. Keep in mind that the A23 is typically cheaper, so if budget is a significant factor for you, it may be the more attractive choice. 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 A23
- Good display quality
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.7
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Samsung Galaxy A23 both have poor overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has poor cameras because it rates poorly across several important aspects, including software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, which significantly impacts the overall image and video quality. In contrast, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 also has limitations in low light performance and dynamic range, it offers a fair camera experience due to a better selfie camera and software experience.
Photo Quality
4.7
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Samsung Galaxy A23 both have poor photos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A23 provides a less satisfying camera software experience and a lower selfie photo quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42. The A42 has a fair advantage in handling varying lighting and creating detail in pictures, while the A23 struggles with dynamic range and low-light performance, adding to its poor selfie results.
Video Quality
4.3
5.2
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Samsung Galaxy A23 both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A23's videos are lacking due to poor ratings in video resolution/framerate, video software experience, video stabilization, video dynamic range, and video low light performance, with only a fair microphone quality. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy A42 falls short in video quality, although it has a good video software experience, its video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality are all rated as fair.
Battery
9.3 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has 9.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$350
$360
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has a price of $350 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A23 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A23 | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$350 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 2, 2022 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2408 x 1080 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 400 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD695 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.3 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 | 6.51" x 3.03" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.95 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 | 5.1 | 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, 30, 66, 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 A23
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Police
Connor Nolan | October 2022
"With four years of security updates, a Snapdragon 695, and far and away the best display at this price point, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is one of the best values in the budget category you're likely to see for quite a while. Buy it if you want a super long support life for your budget phone."
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 A23 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
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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.
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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.
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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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