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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prefer a phone with a more advanced camera, including better photo and video quality, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ is the better option. However, this comes at a higher cost compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42. The Galaxy A42 offers longer battery life, which may be important if you prioritize having a phone that can last longer on a single charge. Additionally, the A42 is a bit heavier and has a plastic back, whereas the S22+ offers a glass back, which may feel more premium. If having a higher screen refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animation is important, the S22+ also has that advantage with its 120Hz display compared to the A42's 60Hz. Keep in mind that both phones support 5G connectivity for faster internet speeds. 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+ has very good cameras due to its excellent software experience that enhances photo quality, dynamic range, and low light performance, alongside a high selfie quality and versatile camera options. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 has fair cameras with more basic photo improvement software, lesser dynamic range and low light capabilities, and a poorer selfie camera, which makes it less suitable for diverse photography needs.
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+ is better at taking selfies, thanks to its superior selfie camera capabilities compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42. Additionally, the S22+ benefits from better photo-processing software, dynamic range, and low-light performance across all its cameras, which contributes to its ability to take very good photos.
Video Quality
5.2
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S22+ takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S22+ takes better videos than the Samsung Galaxy A42 as it has superior video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, as well as a higher video resolution and framerate, which contributes to smoother and more detailed recordings. Additionally, the S22+ provides a better video software experience and microphone quality, enhancing the overall video capturing experience compared to the A42.
Battery
10.7 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22+ has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$360
$433
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ costs $433.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ is 6.6 inches.
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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 | $433 | ||
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" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 393 | |
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 | 6.4 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" | 6.2" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 6.88 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, Green, Pink Gold | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A42
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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+
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Android Police
Daniel Bader | March 2022
"It has an incredible display, best-in-class performance, and some awesome value adds, like an improved main camera sensor over last year and some of the best haptics you can find in the Android ecosystem. This is one of the best Android phones you can buy and will only get better over its four years of promised platform updates."
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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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
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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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