Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs. OnePlus 9RT 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm | The A42 5G is slightly larger and thicker, which might feel less comfortable for smaller hands. The 9RT is more compact and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 193g | 198.5g | The A42 5G is slightly lighter, though the difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable during everyday use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.62" | Both have very similar display sizes, a negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The 9RT has a significantly sharper display, making text and images clearer and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 397 | The 9RT's higher pixel density results in a much sharper and more pleasant viewing experience, especially noticeable with fine text or detailed graphics. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED panels, offering rich colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 9RT's 120Hz refresh rate provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits which is not useful and we don't know what the brightness is. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The 9RT's Snapdragon 888 is a much more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 881,700 | The 9RT has significantly higher benchmark scores, indicating a much faster and more responsive device overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 660 | The 9RT's Adreno 660 provides a significant boost in graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and faster rendering. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | The 9RT has a larger sensor and slightly larger pixel size, which should offer better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Front Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | The A42 has a higher-resolution selfie camera, while both feature 1.0µm pixel size. |
| Rear Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", 1.0µm | The 9RT's wide-angle lens captures significantly more detail, offering better landscape and group photos. |
| Rear Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | None | The A42 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos, while the 9RT lacks this feature. |
| Rear Macro Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, unknown pixel size | The A42 has a better macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, 720p@480fps | Up to 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, OIS, EIS | The 9RT offers more video options, including 60fps 4K and better stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, PDAF | Triple camera, OIS, EIS, Manual Focus, RAW, Night Mode | The 9RT has OIS and EIS providing better video stabilization and low light capture. The 9RT supports RAW for more flexibility for editing photos after the fact. The A42 has a Quadruple camera. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The A42 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The 9RT has significantly faster charging capabilities, reducing charging times from 0 to 100% |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, dual-cell | Both have non-removable batteries; the 9RT has dual-cell for better charging performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Both phones support Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Up to 802.11ac | Up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | The 9RT supports newer Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6), offering faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | The 9RT has a newer version of Bluetooth, which can offer better energy efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The 9RT has more advanced GPS, offering better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB | 128GB or 256GB | The 9RT is available with 256GB, while the A42 only comes with 128GB, which can fill up fast. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | The 9RT offers more RAM, leading to better multitasking and smoother app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | The 9RT offers a more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones use a basic fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | No available information on screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, proximity, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, geomagnetic | Fingerprint, proximity, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope | The A42 has geomagnetic sensor. Both have the standard array of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The A42 5G has a 5000mAh battery which could lead to longer battery life, which is good for those who spend a lot of time away from a charger.
- Better Macro Camera: The A42 has a better macro camera for capturing close up details.
- Depth Sensor: The dedicated depth sensor will produce better quality portrait photos.
OnePlus 9RT 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly higher processing power, better gaming performance, and much smoother multitasking.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density (1080x2400, 397 PPI) make the display much clearer and more detailed for media consumption.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a much smoother and more responsive user experience.
- Better Main Camera: The 9RT has a better main camera for capturing higher quality photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Superior Video Recording: The 9RT offers more video options, including 60fps 4K recording and better stabilization.
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging can significantly reduce charging time.
- Advanced Audio: The 9RT offers Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphone providing a better audio experience.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 enhances connectivity and speed.
- More RAM: 8GB or 12GB of RAM provides smoother multitasking.
- More Storage Option: The 9RT offers 256GB as an option, which is double the only offering of the A42.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Battery Size vs. Charging Speed: The A42 has a larger battery, but the 9RT's much faster charging means it can fill up its smaller battery quicker than the A42.
- Camera Versatility: The A42 has dedicated macro and depth sensors, while the 9RT offers better main, wide-angle camera and video performance, but no depth sensor.
- Size and Weight: While the difference is minimal, the A42 is slightly larger and lighter, while the 9RT is slightly more compact and heavier.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and standard mobile performance and want a depth and macro camera.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and light app use
- Users who need a phone to last all day and have limited access to charging.
- Users who want basic photography features, including dedicated macro and depth sensors.
- Users who want more sensors, for those that use more advanced features.
- Price-to-Value: The A42 5G offers a good price-to-value ratio for those looking for a budget friendly device.
OnePlus 9RT 5G:
- Ideal User: Performance-oriented users, gamers, and those who value a premium display and faster charging.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and running resource-intensive apps
- Viewing high-quality videos and graphics
- Users that want a great main camera with superior low light performance and features such as night mode, OIS, EIS and RAW
- Users who are always on the go and need quick charging capabilities.
- Users who want the best audio experience with better call quality, stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos.
- Users that want the most up to date connectivity standards.
- Users that want more RAM and storage.
- Price-to-Value: The 9RT offers excellent value for those seeking high-end performance and features at a competitive price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Priority: How important is having the best possible performance and smooth operation for everyday use and gaming?
- Camera Needs: How much do you value a main camera with superior low light capabilities versus having a dedicated depth and macro camera?
- Battery vs. Charging: Which is more important to you: having longer battery life or faster charging time?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If your primary needs are basic tasks, browsing and social media, and battery life is important, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G might be sufficient.
- For the Power User/Gamer: If you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks, mobile gaming, and superior display quality, with excellent charging speeds the OnePlus 9RT 5G is the better choice.
- For the Photographer: If you are a casual photographer who takes a lot of different kinds of photos, the A42 5G has more versatile cameras for different photo styles (macro and portrait mode). If you prefer low light performance, better image quality and like the flexibility of editing RAW photos after the fact, the 9RT is a better option.
- For the Audiophile: If audio quality is a priority, then the 9RT with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and a noise cancellation microphone is the better choice.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus 9RT 5G.
Here's why:
- Performance is paramount: As a user who frequently multitasks and enjoys mobile gaming, the Snapdragon 888 chip is a significant upgrade, offering a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience.
- Display Quality Matters: The higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate on the 9RT make a significant difference in the overall user experience. Content consumption becomes much more enjoyable and fluid.
- Camera is good enough: Although I appreciate the depth and macro cameras, I know I would rather have one powerful main camera that excels in low light conditions, which the 9RT offers.
- Faster Charging is a Game Changer: The convenience of 65W fast charging is a huge plus for me, ensuring I am never without my phone for too long.
- Audio is a factor: I appreciate good quality audio and stereo speakers with noise cancellation is something I like in a device I use every day.
- Longevity: The better performance, newer standards and features of the 9RT mean it will remain relevant and perform well for a longer period of time.
While the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has its merits, particularly with the bigger battery and dedicated macro and depth cameras, the OnePlus 9RT 5G provides a more premium and overall well rounded experience that aligns with my usage patterns. The performance upgrade, superior display, better main camera and faster charging outweigh the benefits of the larger battery on the A42 5G.
