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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more premium device and can afford it, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ might be the better choice, as it offers a higher-quality camera, a more powerful processor, and more RAM, which translates into better overall performance and camera capabilities. It also has a higher resolution and higher refresh rate display which means smoother visuals. The S21+ also has a glass back compared to the A42's plastic, giving it a more high-end feel. Conversely, if battery life is a priority, the A42 has a longer battery life, and a larger screen size, but with a lower screen resolution and refresh rate. Both phones run Android, but the S21+ is a newer model and may receive updates longer. If expandable storage is important to you, the A42 has an SD card slot while the S21+ does not. 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 S21+
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ boasts a superior camera system, with better overall scores in essentials such as software experience, camera versatility, and low light performance, all of which contribute to its good photo dynamic range and excellent selfie quality. The Samsung Galaxy A42, while more budget-friendly, has lower performance in these areas, resulting in a less versatile camera setup and poorer selfie quality.
Photo Quality
5.3
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ produces better photos than the Samsung Galaxy A42 as it has a better software experience, enhanced dynamic range, superior low light performance, and greater camera versatility. Although both have similar selfie camera quality, the overall camera capabilities of the S21+ are superior due to its higher photo resolution and more advanced photo processing technology.
Video Quality
5.2
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos largely due to its fair performance in video resolution and framerate, poor ratings in video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ records good videos as it has the best marks for video resolution and framerate, along with good stabilization, dynamic range, low light capability, and mic quality.
Battery
10.7 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$360
$340
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $340 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | |
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 | 394 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD888 | |
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 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
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 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4800 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 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
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, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 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 | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
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 S21+
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy S21+
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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Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
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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.
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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