A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a larger screen and longer battery life, and do not mind a lower resolution and less powerful processor, the Samsung Galaxy A42 could be the phone for you. However, if a higher-resolution screen, better performance, and more advanced camera capabilities are more important to you, and you are fine with a slightly smaller screen and lower battery capacity, then the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE would be a suitable choice despite it being typically more expensive. Both phones have OLED displays and run on Android, but the Galaxy S20 FE offers a high refresh rate for a smoother experience. 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 S20 FE
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
6.2
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has fair cameras due to its poor dynamic range, poor low light performance, and limited camera versatility, but offers a good software experience overall; whereas the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, while having comparable dynamic range and low light performance, adds better software experience and video capabilities, making its cameras also fair considering all the important aspects like selfie quality, resolution, and versatility.
Photo Quality
5.3
6.3
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42's fair photo quality stems from decent photo software, but its dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility are underwhelming; even its selfie camera's performance is not impressive despite having a decent megapixel count. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE offers good photo software and camera versatility, with a better selfie camera performance, but it too struggles with dynamic range and low light conditions.
Battery
10.7 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has 7.8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$360
$198
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE costs $198.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Video Quality
5.2
5.5
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 records videos with lower resolution/framerate, less effective stabilization, narrower dynamic range, and poorer low light performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, which results in a less crisp and stable video experience, especially in challenging conditions. Additionally, the Galaxy S20 FE benefits from superior video software and microphone quality, enhancing audio capture and the overall video recording experience.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is 6.5 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $198 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | October 2, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 405 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD865 | |
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 | 6.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
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 | 7.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 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" | 6.29" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 6.70 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 | 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)2, 5, 41, 66, 71 | |
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 | Cloud Navy, Cloud Red, Cloud White, Cloud Orange, Cloud Lavendar, Cloud Mint | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A42
See more
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 S20 FE
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Eric Zeman | March 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is a fine phone. The flat display glass may turn off some, but the 120Hz refresh rate turned me on. I really liked the overall size and usability of the phone, and the six different colors mean you’ll likely find a version to suit your personal style. Other pros include solid performance, excellent battery life, and straightforward software."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Samsung Galaxy A42 vs. Samsung Galaxy A23
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy A42 vs. Google Pixel 6a
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy A42 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21+
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S20 FE vs. Samsung Galaxy A15
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S20 FE vs. Samsung Galaxy A14
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S20 FE vs. Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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.
Featured in
