A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
9.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a fair rating for selfie quality, which is higher than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's poor selfie rating, even if the S24 Ultra comes with superior other features like video resolution and software, stabilization, and low light performance for both photos and videos. The A42's relative strength in selfie quality may stem from better optimization or a focus on front-facing camera performance despite its overall more modest camera system compared to the S24 Ultra's more advanced, but apparently less effective in this aspect, setup.
Photo Quality
5.3
9.7
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 offers fair selfie quality because it has a better selfie score than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is rated to have poor selfies despite its overall superior camera features such as resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. On the other hand, the A42 falls short on these overall camera features compared to the S24 Ultra but manages to have an edge with its selfie performance.
Video Quality
5.2
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 delivers poor video quality as it has low scores in video resolution/frame rate combined with subpar video software experience and video stabilization, which is detrimental to overall video fidelity and smoothness. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, while possessing high video resolution/frame rate capabilities and a better video software experience, falls short in video dynamic range and low light performance, leading to less detail in varying lighting conditions and diminished quality in darker environments.
Cost
$360
$1,300
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $1,300.
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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 S24 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 S24 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $1,300 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 3120 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 505 | |
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 | 9.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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" | 6.39" x 3.11" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 8.18 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 | 7 | |
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 | Titanium Blue, Titanium Orange, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Green | |
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 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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