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Updated February 12, 2024·
If budget is your main concern and you would prefer a larger screen with longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A42 could be a good choice. It offers a 6.6-inch screen and a 5000mAh battery but has a lower screen resolution and plastic back material. The A42 also provides budget-friendly camera capabilities and a 3.5mm headphone jack. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is significantly more expensive but offers a premium glass back, a higher resolution smaller 6.2-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and superior camera performance. The S24 also features more advanced video recording options, including 4K at 60fps and 1080p at 240fps. Keep in mind the S24’s battery capacity is lower at 4000mAh. Both run on Android, but the S24 has a more powerful processor and double the base storage at 128GB. Choose the A42 for cost savings and basic functionality or the S24 for higher performance and camera quality.To best assist you, I need to review the relevant information. Let me begin by examining the details of the Samsung Galaxy A42 and Samsung Galaxy S24 to provide you with the advice you need. Please hold on while I look up the necessary details. 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 S24
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Best in class performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42's fair selfie camera performance indicates it may not satisfy consumers looking for high-quality self-portraits, as it performs poorly compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24's very good selfie capabilities. Additionally, the overall camera experience, which includes photo resolution, dynamic range, low light performance and versatility, is better on the Galaxy S24, but for those conscious about pricing, the Galaxy A42 may be a more cost-effective choice despite its lower-rated cameras.
Photo Quality
5.3
8.5
The Samsung Galaxy S24 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 takes fair photos mainly because of its lower quality in selfie capabilities compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24, which has very good selfie quality. In addition, the overall photographic experience, including factors like dynamic range and low light performance, which are poorer in the A42, contribute to a better photo-taking experience with the S24.
Video Quality
5.2
7.9
The Samsung Galaxy S24 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has limited video capabilities due to its lower resolution and frame rate, less advanced video software, poor video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, along with fair microphone quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S24, while offering superior video software experience and better stabilization, also struggles with dynamic range and low light situations, yet with very good microphone quality.
Battery
10.7 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24 has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S24 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$360
$800
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 costs $800.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $800 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | January 24, 2024 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 416 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD8G3 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 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" | 5.79" 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 | 5.3 | |
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, 276 | |
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 | Sandstone Orange, Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sapphire Blue | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy S24
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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