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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera performance and are willing to pay more, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers significantly better photo and video quality, with numerous camera features including high megapixel counts, telephoto and periscope lenses, and HDR video. The Galaxy A42, while much more affordable, provides adequate camera capabilities for standard use. For battery life, both phones are comparable. The S23 Ultra has a larger, higher-resolution, and brighter display with a higher refresh rate, ideal for enthusiasts who value screen quality, whereas the A42 has a modest screen that may suffice for everyday tasks. The S23 Ultra also boasts more power and storage, making it suitable for demanding apps and games, in contrast to the A42's more modest performance. If budget is a constraint and your needs are basic, the A42 is an economical choice, but if you seek top-notch features and performance, the S23 Ultra justifies its premium price. 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
- The Samsung Galaxy A42 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
9.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a very good selfie camera, coupled with high performance in photos resolution, software, dynamic range, low light, and camera versatility, making it excel in capturing quality images across various conditions.
Photo Quality
5.3
9.5
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers excellent photos due to its superior camera system which includes a versatile set of lenses and advanced photo software that enhances dynamic range and low light performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42's camera capabilities are more modest, with fair versatility and good photo software, contributing to fair overall photo quality, especially noticeable in selfie quality.
Video Quality
5.2
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes excellent videos due to superior video software experience, video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, along with better mic quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42's video capabilities are negatively impacted by poorer performance in all these areas.
Cost
$360
$1,200
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Battery
10.7 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $1,200 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 501 | |
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 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.7 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 8.25 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, 270 | |
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, 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 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | March 2023
"The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t just want a place at the top right now; it expects to stay there. Samsung’s excellent update commitment and connectivity standards will keep its flagship feeling fresh for years to come, and the high-end materials will put up with more than their share of wear and tear. It might be more than most users need in terms of size, power, and cost, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
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
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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.
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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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