Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs. Realme 12+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm | Realme 12+ is slightly smaller, thinner, and lighter; more pocketable. |
| Weight | 193g | 190g | Negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Realme 12+ has a noticeably sharper and clearer display for reading, videos, and gaming. |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 395 PPI | Realme 12+ provides significantly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12+ has smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Realme 12+ offers superior visibility in bright outdoor conditions. Samsung A42's brightness is not available so unable to evaluate the brightness capability. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Realme 12+ is expected to have faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 601,000 | Realme 12+ scores significantly higher, indicating better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Different GPUs, Realme 12+’s GPU paired with its CPU and higher scores indicates superior graphics capabilities for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.88 | Realme 12+ has a slightly higher resolution sensor. Differences in image quality will depend on specific image processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Samsung A42 has higher megapixel count, may capture slightly more detailed selfies in good lighting conditions. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 12+ provides higher detail in ultrawide shots. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. Realme 12+ does not have a dedicated portrait sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A42 has a dedicated higher resolution macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Similar main camera recording capabilities; Realme 12+ has EIS, providing better video stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, PDAF | Triple camera, OIS, PDAF | Samsung A42 has a dedicated macro and depth sensor, whilst Realme 12+ has OIS for better video recording. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12+ charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard battery design for both. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | Realme 12+ has a more modern operating system and will receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12+ supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Realme 12+ has the latest Bluetooth standard for faster, lower-power connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Samsung A42 has a slight advantage in location accuracy with Galileo support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Realme 12+ offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 12+ has more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Realme 12+ offers better sound quality with enhanced features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic biometric security for both |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have standard suite of sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Neither phone has known screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Sensors: Offers additional lenses for portrait mode and macro shots, appealing to users who enjoy these photography styles.
- Slightly better selfie camera: Higher megapixel count on front camera.
- Galileo GPS: Offers improved location accuracy with support for additional global positioning system.
Realme 12+ Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and much higher brightness, resulting in a better visual experience for all use cases.
- Faster Performance: A more powerful chipset and a higher AnTuTu benchmark score for better app performance and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging is a major advantage, providing a much faster charge time.
- Modern Software: Ships with a newer version of Android and receives longer software support.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, stereo speakers, and noise-canceling microphone for a superior audio experience.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 standards offer faster and more reliable connections.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Has OIS support for better video recording and low light photography.
- Storage Options: Offers more options for internal storage.
- Better Ultrawide camera: Offers a higher resolution ultrawide camera.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A42 5G: Lacks the superior display quality, performance, charging speed, and modern software of the Realme 12+.
- Realme 12+: Does not have a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode or a dedicated macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A42 5G:
- Users on a very tight budget: If a lower price point is the primary concern, the A42 5G might be appealing.
Users who prioritize a depth sensor and macro camera: Users who frequently capture portraits and macro shots may find the additional sensors useful.
Use Cases:
- Basic everyday use with standard camera requirements.
- Users who prefer a slightly more compact phone.
Ideal Users for Realme 12+:
- Users who value display quality: Those who enjoy watching videos, gaming, or reading on their phone will appreciate the better display.
- Users who demand strong performance: Gamers and heavy app users will benefit from the faster chipset and more RAM.
- Users who need fast charging: Individuals who are always on the go and want to reduce downtime with fast charging.
- Users who want modern software: Individuals wanting more modern features from newer software, and wanting longer software updates.
- Users who prioritize overall audio quality: Users wanting better quality speakers, or clearer calls.
Users who prefer modern connectivity standards: Users who want better WiFi speeds and better bluetooth compatibility.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, streaming, and media consumption.
- Productivity and heavy multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts who desire good general image quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (Realme 12+ has a vastly superior display).
- Is fast charging a must-have feature? (Realme 12+ offers 67W vs 15W).
- Do you need a dedicated macro and depth sensor? (Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is the only phone to have this).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Budget-Conscious User with Basic Needs: If budget is the primary constraint and the need is for basic tasks, Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is adequate, but the Realme 12+ is still recommended due to its vastly better features and overall experience.
Multimedia Enthusiast and Gamer: Realme 12+ is the clear choice due to its superior display, performance, and audio.
Photography Enthusiast: Realme 12+ with its optical image stabilization (OIS) and better ultrawide camera should be more versatile for different photography styles, whilst the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G does offer dedicated depth and macro lenses, if these are important to the user.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 12+. Although both phones have a similar battery capacity and screen size, the Realme 12+ significantly outshines the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G in nearly every other aspect that contributes to the overall user experience. The dramatically better display with its higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness is a major plus, and the much faster charging capability is another key advantage. The superior performance due to its more powerful processor makes it smoother for day-to-day use and for heavier tasks like gaming. I find the improved audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers to also be a significant factor, as well as the fact the Realme 12+ uses the latest operating system. While the Samsung has a dedicated depth and macro lens, the real world use case for them are limited, and most users would benefit more from the better ultrawide and OIS offered by the Realme 12+. Overall, the Realme 12+ offers a more modern experience, and I feel that its the better phone overall.
