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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy S22, while slightly more expensive, offers a significantly better camera system, higher screen quality with a faster refresh rate, and a stronger performance due to its more advanced processor and higher RAM. It also includes premium features like a glass back, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. On the other hand, the Galaxy A42 has a larger screen, which may be preferable for media consumption and productivity, a longer battery life to get you through the day, and a 3.5mm headphone jack which is absent in the S22. If budget is a concern and you prefer a simple, reliable phone with a longer battery life and larger screen, the A42 is a solid choice; otherwise, if you value a more premium experience with enhanced display, camera, and performance, the S22 is the better choice. 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 S22
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S22 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 boasts superior camera capabilities, including better software for photo processing, superior images in low light, enhanced dynamic range, and a more versatile camera set-up compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42. Most notably, the Galaxy S22's selfie camera produces much higher quality images, making it a robust choice for customers prioritizing selfie performance.
Photo Quality
5.3
7.6
The Samsung Galaxy S22 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 takes very good photos because it offers a better overall photos software experience, better performance in dynamic range and low light conditions, and higher camera versatility and selfie quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42 which only takes fair photos with lower performance in these aspects. The Galaxy S22's enhancements in camera software and hardware result in a more capable and versatile photography experience.
Video Quality
5.2
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S22 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poorer videos due to its fair video resolution/framerate, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and video software experience, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S22, which has best-in-class video resolution/framerate, excellent video stabilization, very good video software experience, and superior dynamic range and low light performance, resulting in high-quality videos. Additionally, the mic quality on the Galaxy S22 is good, ensuring clearer audio in video recordings as opposed to the fair mic quality of the A42.
Battery
10.7 Hours
5.3 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has 5.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22 is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$360
$699
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 costs $699.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy S22 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | February 25, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 425 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD8G1 | |
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 | 7.7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.7 Hours | 5.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3700 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" | 5.75" x 2.78" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 5.89 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 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6e | |
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)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
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 White, Bora Purple, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
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 S22
See more
Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Lance Ulanoff | February 2023
"The 6.1-inch Galaxy S22 is just what smaller hands ordered, so if you find most modern mobiles too big, this is a great alternative. The Samsung’s chipset will give you loads of power for gaming, video editing or anything else that needs lots of juice."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy S22
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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