Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.5 mm | Similar size, A42 is slightly taller; Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 193g | 190g | Virtually identical, negligible difference in portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2412 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has noticeably sharper, clearer visuals; better for reading, watching videos, and detailed tasks. |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 395 PPI | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides much clearer text and images, resulting in more detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has higher resolution and refresh rate. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will have smoother scrolling, animations, and overall responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly better visible under bright sunlight, increasing readability outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus with its 4nm chip has better energy efficiency and processing power, leading to better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 805,721 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers much faster app loading, snappier multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a more capable GPU, better for graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both offer similar battery life with average usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 50W Fast Charging | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, No charger in box | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus lacks a charger in the box, while both offer non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a larger sensor and larger pixels which generally results in better low light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers significantly higher resolution selfies, but smaller pixel size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G can capture wide angle photos which is not available for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | None | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G can capture depth photos for portrait mode which is not available for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | None | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G can take close up shots that the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus cannot |
| Wide+Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus takes wide + macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Both can shoot high-resolution video, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers electronic image stabilization. |
| Stabilization | None | EIS | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has electronic image stabilization. |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 480 fps | Yes, 240 fps | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G takes faster slow-motion videos |
| Camera Features | Quad, PDAF, HDR, Panorama etc. | Dual, OIS, PDAF, HDR, Panorama, RAW, Night mode, Time-Lapse etc. | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers more advanced features like optical image stabilization, RAW image capture, and night mode. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a much newer OS version out of the box with a higher version of update available. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers faster, more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a more modern and power efficient version of Bluetooth, supporting better codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a more comprehensive GPS suite for increased accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB | 256GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has much more storage capacity for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 12GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers better multitasking and app responsiveness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers higher quality audio with stereo speakers and better audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar biometric authentication methods. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus uses superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have a comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Wide Angle, Portrait (depth), Macro Lens: Offers dedicated lenses for versatility in photography.
- More Slow Motion: Shoots at a higher frame rate for slow motion videos.
Practical Implications: The A42 5G is better suited for users who prioritize a variety of camera lenses for different situations and want to capture faster slow-motion videos.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster chipset, GPU, and RAM for smoother experience.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness for a visually better experience.
- Much Faster Charging: 50W charging greatly reduces charging time.
- Better Main and Selfie Cameras: Larger sensors and higher resolutions resulting in better image quality.
- Modern Software: Runs on newer Android version and can be upgraded further.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more efficient connections.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Provides higher quality sound for media consumption.
- More Internal Storage: 256GB of storage versus 128GB.
- Better screen protection Corning Gorilla Glass 5 vs unknown screen protection.
Practical Implications: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus excels in performance, display quality, overall responsiveness, camera quality, faster charging, and the latest software. It's generally a more future-proof and enjoyable device to use daily.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A42 5G has additional camera lenses compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has faster slow-motion video capture compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does not include a charger in the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A42 5G:
- Users on a tighter budget who still want a 5G phone.
- Users who need wide angle, portrait, or macro lenses.
- Users who want faster slow-motion capabilities.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, basic photography.
- Users who don't mind older software and slower performance.
- Users who want the flexibility of having multiple camera lenses.
Ideal User for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Users seeking a smooth, fast, and responsive experience.
- Users who value display quality for media consumption.
- Users who need high-quality photos and videos.
- Users who prioritize fast charging.
- Users who want the latest software and features.
- Users who want high-quality audio playback.
Use Cases:
- Demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Watching videos, movies, and streaming content.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in a variety of conditions.
- Reliable and fast everyday performance for various tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers much greater value due to its significantly better performance, display, and overall user experience, despite potentially being priced higher than the Samsung A42 5G. The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is an older device and likely available for less.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is too expensive, the Samsung A42 5G may be your only option.
- How important is performance and display quality? If these are critical, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice.
- Do you need extra camera lenses (wide angle, macro, depth), or is main and selfie camera quality more important? If you need the additional lenses the Samsung A42 5G might be better, otherwise the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If the budget is the main limitation and you only need a basic smartphone for day-to-day tasks, the Samsung A42 5G is a reasonable choice, but consider looking for other new phones in this price range.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Visuals Matter: If performance, a great display, and future-proof features are the priority, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the superior option and worth the investment.
- Scenario 3: Camera Variety: If you want a variety of lenses for your phone, the Samsung A42 5G is better for this. However, if you want better overall quality, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
Reasoning:
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a much more compelling user experience due to its:
- Superior Performance: The faster processor, GPU, and RAM make a noticeable difference in everyday use, gaming, and multitasking.
- Exceptional Display: The higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate create a much more enjoyable visual experience.
- Faster Charging: The 50W fast charging is a significant convenience.
- Better Main and Selfie Camera Quality: The larger sensors and higher resolutions lead to better photos and videos, which are a priority for me.
- Modern Software: The newer Android version offers more features and longer support.
- Better audio: The stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio are very important to me
While the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has dedicated wide, macro and portrait lenses which some may prefer, the advantages of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in other critical areas make it a better all-around device for my needs. The overall user experience is much better on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. The A42 5G is also a much older device and for a similar price point, there are far better options out there.
