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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choose the Galaxy A42 if a larger screen and longer battery life are important to you, and you're fine with a plastic body. However, the Galaxy S10+ offers a higher display quality with a sharper and brighter screen, better overall camera quality, and a more premium glass back. Both phones share Android OS, but the S10+ has more RAM for improved performance. The S10+ is older and typically less expensive, making it a balanced option if you prefer a mix of quality and value. 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 S10+
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Battery
10.7 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S10+ has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S10+ is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$360
$234
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S10+ costs $234.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
5.4
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a fair selfie camera, meaning it takes decent self-portraits, while the Samsung Galaxy S10+ has a poor selfie camera, resulting in lower quality self-portraits. Additionally, despite both having poor camera versatility, suggesting limitations in different photography scenarios, the A42 offers a satisfactory overall camera experience, surpassing the S10+ which struggles with versatility and overall performance.
Photo Quality
5.3
5.4
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a 'fair' selfie score, suggesting it can take decent self-portraits, while the Samsung Galaxy S10+ has a 'poor' selfie score, indicating its front-facing camera is less capable. Both factors such as camera resolution and software, dynamic range, and low-light performance contribute to these assessments, with the A42 performing somewhat better in these regards for selfies despite both having their challenges with photo quality.
Video Quality
5.2
5.5
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos due to fair video resolution/framerate, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, alongside fair microphone quality. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S10+ does not perform well in video due to its stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, even though it has very good video resolution/framerate and fair microphone quality.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy S10+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy S10+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | March 8, 2019 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 3040 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 522 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD855 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 5.5/10 | |
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 | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4100 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" | 6.2" x 2.92" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 6.17 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
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 | 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 | N/A | |
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 | Prism Black, Prism White, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Flamingo Pink, Ceramic Black, Ceramic White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
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 S10+
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | August 2020
"This handset gives you a big and immersive full-screen experience, very capable cameras and fast performance in a slick design. Samsung also deserves credit for how seamlessly the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and Wireless PowerShare features work."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy S10+
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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