Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs. OnePlus 10 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | OnePlus 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 163 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | A42 is slightly taller and wider, but both have the same thickness. Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 193g | 201g | A42 is slightly lighter, noticeable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | OnePlus 10 Pro has a slightly larger screen, providing slightly more visual real estate. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1440 x 3216 | OnePlus 10 Pro has significantly sharper visuals with a higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 266 | 525 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a much sharper display; text and images are noticeably clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Not Specified | A42 has vibrant colors and deep blacks due to AMOLED; OnePlus 10 Pro display technology is unknown, could be LCD which would be a disadvantage. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 10 Pro provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 10 Pro is significantly brighter, far more usable in outdoor and bright environments. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | OnePlus 10 Pro has a much more powerful and efficient processor, enabling significantly faster app loading, better multitasking and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 900,491 | OnePlus 10 Pro is more than twice as fast, resulting in snappier overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 730 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a significantly more powerful GPU, translating to better performance in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both offer similar battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 80W fast charging | OnePlus 10 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime waiting for a charge. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 50W wireless charging, Resverse wireless charging | OnePlus 10 Pro has more versatility with faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capability. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" sensor | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" sensor | OnePlus 10 Pro has a larger sensor and larger pixel size, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Front Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.0 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a higher resolution front camera and a slightly wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 10 Pro provides optical zoom capabilities, capturing better zoomed in photos without quality loss. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 10 Pro captures much more detail with ultra-wide images due to much higher resolution sensor. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A42 offers an additional depth sensor for bokeh effect in portrait photos |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A42 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | OnePlus 10 Pro offers much higher video recording capabilities including 8K resolution and a variety of frame rates, along with stabilization features. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 122 | OnePlus 10 Pro has superior camera performance overall. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, etc | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Triple camera, OIS, EIS, LAF, CDAF, RAW 12 bits etc | OnePlus 10 Pro has a larger set of advanced features, including optical zoom, OIS, and RAW capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | OnePlus 10 Pro has a newer OS version and future upgradability. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | OnePlus 10 Pro has much faster speeds and lower latency, especially in crowded network environments. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version with lower energy consumption and more advanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | OnePlus 10 Pro provides more precise positioning and better location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512GB | OnePlus 10 Pro offers more storage options, ideal for users who need more local storage. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | OnePlus 10 Pro has more RAM available, leading to better multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 10 Pro offers a significantly better audio experience with features such as Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer similar fingerprint sensor security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | OnePlus 10 Pro has much more durable screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | OnePlus 10 Pro has better sensor suite including RGB |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Lighter: The A42 is 8 grams lighter, which could be preferable for some users during extended use.
- AMOLED Display: The AMOLED display provides vibrant colors and deep blacks, which may be preferred by some users.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lens: The A42 has dedicated macro and depth sensor lenses that the OnePlus 10 Pro lacks.
- More affordable: The Galaxy A42 5G is likely significantly cheaper due to its older components.
OnePlus 10 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides significantly faster performance.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a clearer visual experience.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate makes animations and scrolling noticeably smoother.
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits brightness allows better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging and 50W wireless charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Better Camera System: Larger main sensor, higher resolution front and ultrawide lens, plus the inclusion of a telephoto lens, all provide better photo and video quality.
- Advanced Features: Optical zoom, OIS, EIS, RAW 12 bit, and 8K video recording capabilities.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and noise cancellation.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 12, upgradable to 14, providing a more modern experience and longer support lifespan.
- More RAM/Storage options: OnePlus 10 Pro has variants with higher RAM and storage.
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus: Offers better screen protection.
- More versatile sensors: A more complete sensor suite for diverse applications
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is lighter and has a dedicated macro and depth lens, but is outperformed in almost every other aspect.
- The OnePlus 10 Pro excels in performance, display, camera, and charging, but is slightly heavier and may cost more.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G - Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Users who prioritize affordability over high-end performance.
- Users who like Macro Photography: A user that likes to take up close photography
- Users who like having a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photography: If a depth sensor for portrait photos is critical this may be the phone for them.
- Casual users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and content consumption.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone: Those sensitive to the weight of a phone.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Basic photography and video for social media sharing.
- General app usage and basic gaming.
OnePlus 10 Pro - Ideal Users:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers, power users who demand speed and responsiveness.
- Photography Lovers: Users who prioritize image and video quality.
- Professionals: Users who need to capture high-quality content for work.
- Multi-taskers: Users that need to run multiple apps simultaneously.
- Users who want the newest technology: With a newer chipset, Bluetooth, WiFi, and OS.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming and high-performance tasks.
- High-quality photo and video capture and editing.
- Multitasking and productivity.
- Streaming movies, series, and other media content.
- Usage in bright outdoor conditions.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G offers basic functionalities for a lower price.
- The OnePlus 10 Pro provides high-end features and performance at a higher price point, but is likely a better value overall.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A42 will likely be significantly cheaper, making it suitable for budget-conscious buyers.
- What are your primary uses for the phone? If performance, photography, and display quality are essential, the OnePlus 10 Pro is superior. For basic tasks, the A42 might suffice.
- How important are future software updates and cutting edge connectivity? OnePlus 10 Pro has newer software and hardware.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Daily Use: If the user needs a simple phone for browsing, communication, and social media and wants to save money, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is adequate.
- Scenario 2: High Performance Gaming and Photography: For users who want the best performance, advanced photography capabilities, and a smooth display, the OnePlus 10 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User with Moderate Needs: If the user wants better performance than the A42 but is on a limited budget, they should consider a phone within their budget, potentially a used OnePlus 10 Pro or a different alternative in the same price range.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 10 Pro.
Here's why:
As a smartphone analyst, I prioritize devices that showcase the latest technological advancements and deliver a superior user experience across the board. The OnePlus 10 Pro significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G in nearly every critical aspect, making it the better choice for my personal preferences and use cases.
My reasoning:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip is vastly superior to the Snapdragon 750 5G, offering a snappier, more fluid, and enjoyable user experience. This translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding games without lag, which is very important for me.
- Display Quality: The higher resolution, pixel density, and 120Hz refresh rate of the OnePlus 10 Pro's display provide a noticeably better viewing experience. Additionally, the much brighter display makes it easier to view outdoors.
- Camera Capabilities: The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts a much better camera system with a larger main sensor, a higher resolution selfie and ultrawide sensor and the addition of a telephoto lens. Additionally, the advanced video recording capabilities and additional features make it suitable for professional-grade photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: The 80W fast charging means less time tethered to a wall socket, as well as wireless and reverse charging for even more versatility.
- Future-Proofing: The newer Android version and more recent hardware spec means the OnePlus 10 Pro is a more future proof purchase, providing a longer lifespan, which also includes faster wifi and bluetooth standards.
- Build Quality: The inclusion of Gorilla Glass Victus means it has better screen protection.
- Better Sensor Suite: The addition of the RGB sensor is another sign that this is a more modern and fully featured phone.
- Improved Audio: The upgraded speaker, audio and microphone capabilities are also another plus.
While the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G may appeal to budget-conscious users, the performance, display quality, camera features, build quality, and general software experience of the OnePlus 10 Pro make it a far more compelling option for a technology enthusiast.
In conclusion, the OnePlus 10 Pro offers a substantially more refined experience that justifies its higher price, making it my preferred choice.
