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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more cost-effective option, the Samsung Galaxy A42 is a solid choice. However, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the better device if camera quality is important to you, offering superior still photo and video abilities. For those who value long battery life, the A42 has a slight edge. Screen resolution is another differentiator; the S23+ boasts a higher resolution and refresh rate for a crisper and smoother viewing experience. On the flip side, the A42 offers a headphone jack, which the S23+ lacks. Both phones have large screens of the same size and support 5G. 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 S23+
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has fair photo-taking abilities with its limited camera features and poor photo software experience, resulting in lower quality selfies, dynamic range, and low light performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23+, which offers excellent camera features and very good software experience, ensuring high-quality selfies and better performance in various shooting conditions.
Photo Quality
5.3
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ delivers excellent photos thanks to its superior selfie quality, better resolution, enhanced software experience, greater dynamic range, and stronger low light performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42, which takes fair photos because it has lower scores in these areas, including a significant gap in selfie quality, which is very important. Additionally, the S23+ boasts camera versatility that further improves photo quality, a feature where the A42 scores moderately.
Video Quality
5.2
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 produces poor video quality largely because it falls short in areas such as resolution and frame rate, software experience for video, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ excels in these aspects, offering high resolution and frame rate, an advanced video software experience, impressive stabilization, better dynamic range, superior performance in low light, and higher microphone quality.
Battery
10.7 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$360
$1,000
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is 6.6 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $1,000 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | February 17, 2023 | |
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 | 390 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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 | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4700 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" | 6.21" x 3" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 6.91 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 | 5.3 | |
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, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 285 | |
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 | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Lime, Graphite | |
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 S23+
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Axel Metz | March 2023
"Despite not boasting the same camera credentials as its pricier sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus will remain a top-tier handset for several years thanks to its industry-leading processor and magnificent display. It may prove an attractive proposition for Galaxy newcomers in the market for a big-screen all-rounder."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy S23+
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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