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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a superior camera setup compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42, offering higher resolution and better performance in various conditions. However, if battery life is more important, the A42 has a larger battery, which generally means it can last longer on a single charge. The Note20 has a larger screen, which can enhance your viewing experience for media or productivity tasks, but it will come with a higher price tag. Both devices run on different versions of the Android operating system, and choosing one would ultimately hinge on balancing your preferences in camera capability, screen size, battery longevity, and budget. 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 A42
- Best in class battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Samsung Galaxy Note20 both have fair cameras primarily due to their average performances in key areas such as dynamic range and low light capabilities. However, the Galaxy A42 falls short with a poor selfie camera and modest versatility, while the Note20 offers a slightly better selfie experience and substantially better video quality attributes, including stabilization and software experience.
Photo Quality
5.3
6.4
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 takes fair photos partly because it has good software, but its selfie quality, dynamic range, and low light performance are poor, indicating weaknesses in varying lighting conditions and self-portraits. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 also captures fair photos and although it has a better selfie quality and dynamic range, its poor low light performance and only fair camera versatility suggest it may not excel across all photographic situations.
Video Quality
5.2
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos due to lower resolution and framerate capabilities, along with mediocre video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 provides fair video quality with better resolution and framerate, enhanced video software experience, video stabilization, and dynamic range including superior low light performance and microphone quality.
Battery
10.7 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Cost
$360
$286
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 costs $286.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 is 6.7 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy Note20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $286 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | August 21, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 393 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD865+ | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.7 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4300 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.47" x 2.99" | 6.36" x 2.96" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 6.77 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (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 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black, Gray, White | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
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."
Samsung Galaxy Note20
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Mike Lowe | October 2020
"We think pretty much anyone picking up the Note 20 to take photos will be very happy with the sharpness and appearance of the shots. If you're looking for a phone with an integrated stylus then there's little better than the note-taking potential of this phone. Sure, its 'glasstic' rear and lack of higher refrsh-rate screen are little red marks against its specification, but you can buy the step-up Ultra model if you see that as a problem - although we prefer the smaller price and smaller camera lump of this 'entry' Note model."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy Note20
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
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
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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