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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera quality and performance, the Sony Xperia 1 III is the superior choice as it offers a better camera system and screen resolution, along with high refresh rate for smoother visuals. However, it comes with a higher price tag. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A42 is more budget-friendly and provides longer battery life, but it has a lower resolution display and a less capable camera. Both phones operate on Android, and the choice ultimately depends on whether the improvements in camera and display offered by the Sony Xperia 1 III justify the higher cost to you. 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 Sony Xperia 1 III
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
6.0
The Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Sony Xperia 1 III have both been rated to have fair selfie cameras; the Galaxy A42's overall photo capabilities are hindered by poor low light performance and dynamic range, while the Xperia 1 III, despite having better photo software experience, also falls short in the same areas.
Photo Quality
5.3
5.9
The Sony Xperia 1 III and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor photos, though the Sony Xperia 1 III takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42's selfie capabilities are deemed poor, which could reflect a combination of factors like lower photo resolution or performance issues under various lighting conditions. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 1 III fares better with fair selfie quality, suggesting it might handle dynamic range and low light better or offer a more refined software experience for capturing selfies.
Video Quality
5.2
6.0
The Sony Xperia 1 III takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 records poor-quality videos primarily due to lower video resolution/framerate, inadequate video stabilization, and weaker performance in dynamic range and low light conditions. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 III captures fair videos as it has better video software, stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, along with higher resolution/framerate capabilities and better microphone quality.
Battery
10.7 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$360
$899
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $899 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD888 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.7 Hours | 5.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.47" x 2.99" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
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)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black, Gray, White | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
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."
Sony Xperia 1 III
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | August 2021
"For those who enjoy Sony’s Android phones, or who want a top-tier smartphone with a versatile camera, a beautiful screen and strong battery life, this is a great choice. If your budget can stretch to it, and you're a fan of its looks, it could be a great option."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Sony Xperia 1 III
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.
About Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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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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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.
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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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