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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 12, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with a larger battery and adequate storage for everyday use, the Samsung Galaxy A42 would be a solid choice. However, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ offers a superior camera system, more advanced processing power, ample storage, and a high-quality display with a faster refresh rate, which is great for those who prioritize performance and media consumption. It's important to note that the Galaxy S24+ comes with a heftier price tag, reflecting its premium features like a glass body, HDR video support, and advanced connectivity options. Both phones run on Android and offer features like a 5G connection, but the A42 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is absent in the S24+. If cost is not a barrier and you prefer premium camera capabilities and display quality, the Galaxy S24+ is the better choice. Otherwise, for essential smartphone functionality without the premium cost, the A42 is quite adequate. 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 has better selfie capabilities which are considered very important; it has been rated as having fair selfie quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S24+ falls behind with poorly rated selfie quality. In addition, the overall photos and videos experience, including resolution, software, dynamic range, and low light performance, is better on the Galaxy A42 than the Galaxy S24+.
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 due to a better selfie quality compared to the poor selfie quality of the Samsung Galaxy S24+. Additionally, aspects like resolution, software experience, and camera versatility are important, where the A42 performs at a fair level in some areas, potentially contributing to its overall fair photo performance in comparison to the S24+'s poorer evaluation.
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 records videos with low resolution and framerate, and suffers from poor software experience, subpar stabilization, limited dynamic range, and mediocre performance in low light, coupled with only fair microphone quality. Contrarily, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ also takes poor videos due to surprisingly poor resolution and framerate, in spite of having very good stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality.
Battery
10.7 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ 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 S24+ 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 S24+ is 6.7 inches.
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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 | $1,000 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 3120 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 513 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD8G3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 12 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 | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4900 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" | 6.24" x 2.99" | |
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, 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 | Sapphire Blue, Sandstone Orange, Onyx Black, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet | |
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
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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