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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a larger screen and longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A42 could be a better pick with its 6.6-inch display and longer usage time. However, if a higher camera quality appeals to you more, and you prefer a more compact device with a smaller 5.8-inch display, the Samsung Galaxy S10e is the one to go for. Note that while the Galaxy A42 supports 5G for potentially faster network speeds, the Galaxy S10e offers superior display sharpness. Both phones have similar processing power, but the S10e offers more internal storage and has wireless charging, which the A42 lacks. Despite the A42's higher price point, consider these features and how they align with what you value most in a phone. 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 S10e
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Battery
10.7 Hours
6.9 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S10e has 6.9 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S10e is 5.8 inches.
Cost
$360
$145
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S10e costs $145.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy S10e and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42's camera has fair selfie performance, which is a step above the poor selfie performance of the Samsung Galaxy S10e, making the A42 a better choice for selfie enthusiasts despite both having subpar ratings in photos dynamic range, photos low light performance, and camera versatility. While both phones have similar camera capabilities regarding photo and video features, the A42 is the preferred option for selfie quality, which has been marked as very important.
Photo Quality
5.3
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and Samsung Galaxy S10e both have poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 offers a better selfie experience than the Samsung Galaxy S10e, despite both having relatively low resolutions, limited dynamic range, and weak low-light performance. The Galaxy A42's photo software provides a better overall experience, which might explain its fair photo quality, compared to the poor quality of photos from the Galaxy S10e.
Video Quality
5.2
5.5
The Samsung Galaxy S10e and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 records videos that are generally fair in terms of resolution and framerate, software experience, stability, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S10e performs slightly better, earning a good rating for video software experience, but falls short in video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, with mic quality also considered fair.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy S10e compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy S10e |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $145 | ||
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" | 5.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 2280 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 438 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.7 Hours | 6.9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3100 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" | 5.6" x 2.75" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 5.29 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: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black, Gray, White | Prism Black, Prism White, Prism Blue, Prism Green, Flamingo Pink, Cardinal Red, Cannary Yellow | |
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 S10e
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Natt Garun | March 2019
"You’re getting nearly the full S10 experience without spending as much money and in a size that’s a lot more appealing across demographics. If you’re looking for a good, small Android, this is a phone that I think most people will enjoy without sacrificing much in quality."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy S10e
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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