1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | A42 5G is slightly taller and wider, but both have very similar thickness. Might feel slightly bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 193g | 197g | Negligible weight difference, virtually identical in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | OnePlus 9 Pro offers marginally larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 9 Pro display is significantly sharper with much more detail. Text and images will be noticeably clearer. |
| PPI | 266 | 525 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a far crisper display, reducing pixelation and improving sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | - | Samsung A42 5G has better blacks and contrast (AMOLED vs. unknown). Better for dark mode and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro's smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is vastly superior for outdoor use in bright sunlight. Samsung A42 5G brightness is unknown making it difficult to compare in practical terms |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro's chip provides much faster performance for apps, gaming, multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 877,600 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers drastically higher performance in all tasks. More future-proof for demanding apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 660 | OnePlus 9 Pro's superior GPU delivers better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Samsung A42 5G likely has better battery life due to the larger capacity. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 65W fast charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse/Wireless Charging (50W), Non-removable | OnePlus 9 Pro offers versatile charging options including wireless and reverse wireless. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" sensor | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" sensor | OnePlus 9 Pro's larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm pixel | 16MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm pixel | Samsung A42 5G has higher resolution and wider aperture, might be better in low light and potentially higher detail. |
| Telephoto | N/A | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor | OnePlus 9 Pro provides optical zoom capabilities, allowing better shots at a distance without losing detail. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor | OnePlus 9 Pro offers vastly superior wide-angle shots with much more detail. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | N/A | Samsung A42 5G has depth sensor for potentially better portrait mode with background blur. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | N/A | Samsung A42 5G allows for taking close-up shots. |
| Black & White | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9 Pro allows for dedicated black & white photography |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 720p@480fps; No stabiliation | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps; EIS | OnePlus 9 Pro superior video capabilities with much higher resolutions, frame rates, and stabilization. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | OnePlus 9 Pro has high-quality camera according to DXOMark. |
| Camera Features | Basic | Advanced Features | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly more camera features including optical zoom, advanced stabilization, RAW support, Night Mode and more. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | OnePlus 9 Pro has newer OS, potential for longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi ac | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | OnePlus 9 Pro's newer Wi-Fi standard offers faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more efficient and modern Bluetooth connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Advanced GPS support | OnePlus 9 Pro offers greater location accuracy with more comprehensive satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Both phones allow two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | OnePlus 9 Pro gives option for more storage. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | OnePlus 9 Pro gives option for more RAM for better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones do not allow storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly better audio quality with Dolby Atmos support, stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones provide basic biometric security via fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | OnePlus 9 Pro has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both phones have similar sets of sensors for advanced functions, with minor differences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: A 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life for users who need extended usage without charging.
- Lower Cost: The Galaxy A42 5G is typically more affordable, making it a budget-friendly option for basic smartphone needs.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture in the selfie camera may result in better low light and detail.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro lens: Allows for more versatility and creative photography options
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and brightness provide a much sharper, smoother, and more vibrant viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Far Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 5G chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Much Faster Charging: 65W fast charging allows for very quick top-ups, a big advantage for users always on the go.
- Advanced Camera System: Larger main camera sensor, telephoto lens for optical zoom, much higher resolution wide-angle lens, and advanced features like OIS, RAW capture, and 8K video. Also has dedicated black and white lens.
- Enhanced Audio: Supports Dolby Atmos and features stereo speakers for better overall audio quality.
- Versatile Charging Options: Includes both fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 11 and upgradable to Android 14, giving it longer potential software update life
- Advanced Connectivity: Better Wifi and Bluetooth versions as well as satellite navigation
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers good scratch and drop resistance.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A42 5G: Trades raw power, display quality, camera capabilities, and faster charging for better battery life and a lower price point.
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Offers almost every advantage over the A42, but at a higher cost and slightly smaller battery capacity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking an affordable 5G smartphone for basic tasks and media consumption.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who need extended battery life and are not demanding in terms of performance or screen quality.
- Casual Photographers: People who occasionally take photos and don't need advanced camera features or capabilities.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday Browsing & Social Media: Adequate for basic web browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Basic Media Consumption: Suitable for watching videos and streaming music, provided resolution is not paramount.
- Longer periods away from charger: With its larger battery it will last longer before needing a charge.
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and users who prioritize speed, responsiveness, and graphics capabilities.
- Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Users seeking a high-quality camera system with advanced features and the ability to produce pro level photos and videos.
- Media Consumers: Users who value a top-tier display for watching high-resolution content with smooth scrolling.
- Tech-Savvy Individuals: Those who want the latest technology, features, and fast charging capabilities.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile Gaming: Excellent for playing graphically intensive games with high frame rates and low lag.
- Professional Photography/Videography: Suitable for capturing high-resolution photos and videos with advanced control and quality.
- High-Quality Media Consumption: Ideal for watching movies, streaming high-resolution video, and enjoying a superior viewing experience.
- Power Users: Great for heavy multitasking and any use case that requires the best possible performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much am I willing to spend on a new phone?
- Primary Use Case: Will I primarily use the phone for basic tasks, or do I need high performance and advanced features?
- Display Preference: Do I prioritize a high-resolution, smooth display, or is a basic screen acceptable?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G. Offers a 5G phone with adequate battery life at a lower price point.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media Enthusiast
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9 Pro. Worth the extra cost for a superior display, top-tier performance, and advanced camera capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Casual User with Camera Needs
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9 Pro. The camera is far superior, and the overall performance will be a great improvement over the A42.
- Scenario 4: Battery Life First
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G. The larger capacity battery will last longer between charges, but trade-offs will be made on performance, screen and camera quality.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus 9 Pro. Although the Samsung A42 5G has a larger battery, the advantages of the OnePlus 9 Pro are simply too significant to ignore.
Here's why:
- The Display: The 120Hz high resolution display alone is a massive upgrade that would enhance my daily experience. The Samsung's low resolution display would be a significant drawback for me.
- Performance: The vastly superior performance from the Snapdragon 888 would make the phone much smoother and snappier in everyday use and when gaming.
- Camera System: The significantly upgraded camera is crucial for me as I often take photos and videos, and the versatility of its multiple lenses would be very useful.
- Faster Charging: The 65W charging would allow me to quickly top up the phone, and also the additional Wireless charging would be a nice bonus.
While I acknowledge the slightly smaller battery capacity compared to the A42 5G and the higher price point, the benefits of the OnePlus 9 Pro heavily outweigh those for me. The performance, display, camera and audio improvements it provides will lead to a much more enjoyable user experience. I value these features more than the slightly improved battery of the Samsung phone.
Therefore, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear winner for me, despite its higher price.
