1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-11 | 2021-04-26 | Asus ROG Phone 5 is newer, potentially with more updated features/software |
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 5 is noticeably larger and thicker; A42 5G more pocketable, ROG 5 more screen real estate |
| Weight | 193g | 238g | A42 5G is lighter, more comfortable for long use; ROG 5 has a more substantial feel |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 5 has slightly larger screen; more immersive viewing experience |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2448 | ROG Phone 5 has a much sharper and clearer display; less pixelated viewing experience |
| PPI | 266 | 395 | ROG Phone 5 display is much crisper with higher pixel density; improved readability, sharper images |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar display quality in terms of color and contrast |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | ROG Phone 5 offers significantly smoother animations and transitions; better for gaming, scrolling, and UI interactions |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not specified for either phone; impossible to determine relative performance of the two displays regarding brightness |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | ROG Phone 5 has a much more powerful processor; faster performance, better for demanding apps and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 883,000 | ROG Phone 5 scores significantly higher; demonstrates superior real-world performance in all tasks, especially gaming and intensive apps |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 660 | ROG Phone 5 has a much more powerful GPU; better graphics performance for gaming, video editing |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 5 has a larger battery; potentially longer battery life; the actual endurance will depend on usage patterns and software |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 65W fast charging | ROG Phone 5 charges much faster; quicker to get back to use; the A42's 15W will take significantly longer to charge fully |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | ROG 5 offers bypass charging for gaming without heating up and reverse charging, A42 5G has neither feature |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 64MP | ROG Phone 5 captures more detailed images with higher resolution; slightly better clarity |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.7" | ROG Phone 5 has larger sensor; better light sensitivity and performance in low light situations |
| Selfie Camera Res | 20MP | 24MP | ROG Phone 5 captures more detailed selfies with slightly higher resolution; slightly better clarity |
| Selfie Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | A42 5G has a wider aperture; slightly better low light sensitivity |
| Wide Lens Res | 5MP | 13MP | ROG Phone 5 captures more detailed wide-angle images |
| Wide Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.5 | A42 5G has a wider aperture; slightly better low light sensitivity |
| Portrait Mode | Yes | No | A42 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, ROG Phone 5 lacks this |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | 5MP | Both phones offer a dedicated Macro Lens with the same resolution |
| Macro Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.0 | ROG Phone 5 has a wider aperture for the macro lens |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | ROG Phone 5 captures much higher quality video; superior video recording capabilities |
| Video Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | ROG Phone 5 offers more video recording options and features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | A42 5G has the potential for longer software support; ROG 5 has a less updated maximum version |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | ROG Phone 5 has faster and more efficient WiFi; better connection speed and stability |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | ROG Phone 5 has more advanced Bluetooth features; faster connection, better range and efficiency |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 5 has more satellite support; better location accuracy and precision |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both have dual SIM capability; no practical difference in this feature |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB | ROG Phone 5 offers more storage options; more space for photos, videos, and apps; the A42 only comes in 128 GB version |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB or 16 GB or 18 GB | ROG Phone 5 has significantly more RAM; smoother multitasking, faster app loading and better performance for intensive applications |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage; no practical difference |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | ROG 5 has superior audio, enhanced sound and voice quality |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both have similar basic security, no practical difference |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | ROG 5 has superior screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | ROG 5 has Hall sensor, A42 has Geomagnetic sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around due to its lower weight and smaller dimensions.
- Potentially longer software support: Despite launching with an older OS version, it is upgradeable to Android 13, unlike the ROG Phone 5 which maxes out at 12.
- Dedicated Depth Camera: Offers a dedicated portrait mode camera, which is not available in the ROG Phone 5.
- Wider Aperture in Front and Wide Lenses: Has a slightly wider aperture in both its front-facing and wide angle lenses, potentially improving low-light performance in these.
- Geomagnetic Sensor: This can be useful for certain apps that rely on this type of data, such as navigation and surveying
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster Snapdragon 888 processor and Adreno 660 GPU for demanding tasks and high-end gaming.
- Much Better Display: Higher resolution and refresh rate for crisper images and smoother animations.
- Significantly Better Audio: Includes features like DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers for high quality sound
- Larger Battery with Faster Charging: Offers significantly longer battery life and much faster charging speeds.
- Higher Quality Camera: Better main camera sensor, can record up to 8K video and has a dedicated night mode.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Provides more RAM for multitasking, and more storage options for heavy users.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster, more reliable connections.
- Hall Sensor: Can be useful for certain apps that rely on this type of data.
- Bypass Charging and Reverse Charging: Can charge without generating heat whilst gaming and can also reverse charge other devices.
- Superior Build Quality: Has a much higher build quality in terms of screen protection.
- Overall, much more powerful than the A42 5G in all aspects.
Trade-offs:
- The A42 5G sacrifices performance, display quality, camera features and battery life for a more compact and lightweight design and potentially longer software support.
- The ROG Phone 5 is bulkier, heavier and lacks a dedicated depth camera but provides an unmatched user experience in all other aspects.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize a lighter, more compact phone and potentially longer software support over high-end performance.
- Users with basic smartphone needs: Suitable for everyday tasks like calling, browsing, social media and basic photography.
- Users who need a dedicated portrait mode: This camera can produce good-quality images in that area of focus.
- Users who prefer a more pocketable phone: The A42 is significantly smaller and lighter making it more manageable.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A42 5G:
- Everyday communication (calls, texts, emails).
- Casual social media browsing.
- Basic photography and casual photos.
- Navigation and map usage.
- Light app use and media consumption.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamers: The ROG Phone 5 is tailored for gaming with its high refresh rate display, powerful processor, large battery and advanced audio system.
- Power Users: Those who require high performance, smooth multitasking and the ability to run demanding applications.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching high-quality videos and appreciate superior audio.
- Users who need higher quality photos and videos: ROG 5 captures better quality photos and videos with higher resolution.
Use Cases for Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Demanding mobile gaming (high-end titles).
- High-definition video streaming and content creation.
- Heavy multitasking and resource-intensive applications.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Mobile editing and processing.
- Users who enjoy a high-fidelity audio experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G offers decent value for the budget user focusing on basic phone needs.
- The Asus ROG Phone 5 offers excellent value for users seeking a high-performance smartphone, despite the higher price tag.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case for this phone? (Gaming, photography, daily communication, etc)
- Do I prioritize performance, display quality, and battery life over size and portability?
- How much do I value high-end audio and camera quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual user with basic needs, tight budget: The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is the better choice due to its lower price and decent performance for light tasks.
- Scenario 2: Mobile gamer, multimedia enthusiast, or power user: The Asus ROG Phone 5 is the obvious choice because of its superior performance, display, battery, and audio capabilities.
- Scenario 3: User who prefers a more pocketable phone: The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G would be the more comfortable choice due to its smaller size and lighter weight.
- Scenario 4: User who needs a higher quality video recording: The Asus ROG Phone 5 is the obvious choice as it is capable of recording up to 8K videos
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. While the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is more compact and lighter, the ROG Phone 5 offers superior performance across nearly every important category. The dramatically better display with its higher refresh rate, combined with the much more powerful processor, significantly larger battery, higher quality camera, advanced connectivity, and much better audio quality makes it a more compelling device for my use case. While it is bigger and heavier, the benefits greatly outweigh the drawbacks. I value a smooth, fast experience with high-quality audio and visuals and the ROG Phone 5 delivers this to a much higher degree.
