1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm | A42 5G is slightly taller and wider; Realme 12 Pro+ is a touch thicker but more compact overall. |
| Weight | 193g | 196g | Both feel similar in hand, negligible difference in weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | Realme 12 Pro+ provides significantly sharper images and text. |
| PPI | 266 | 394 | Realme 12 Pro+ display is noticeably crisper and more detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro+ provides smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits, real world brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Realme 12 Pro+ has a newer, more efficient chip; Expect faster performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 603,400 | Realme 12 Pro+ is significantly faster in day-to-day tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro+ offers better graphics rendering capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life can be expected from both. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12 Pro+ charges much faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard non-removable battery in both devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | Realme 12 Pro+ has a larger sensor for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm pixel | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.80µm pixel | Realme 12 Pro+ captures higher resolution selfies, Samsung A42 might perform slightly better in low light. |
| Telephoto | N/A | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2" | Realme 12 Pro+ offers optical zoom capabilities not available on the A42 5G. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G offers a dedicated wide-angle camera. |
| Portrait | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait images. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 12 Pro+ includes a ultrawide camera, that also can take macro photos. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both capture detailed video, however Realme has EIS for smoother video quality |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Realme 12 Pro+ provides smoother video recordings due to EIS compared to Samsung A42 5G with no stabilization |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, Upgradable to 13 | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro+ has the latest Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Realme 12 Pro+ offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Realme 12 Pro+ has a more recent Bluetooth version with better efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro+ offers more accurate location tracking due to more supported satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Realme 12 Pro+ offers more storage variants for greater flexibility, A42 has only one storage option. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 12 Pro+ has more RAM, leading to better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro+ has better audio quality with more features |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Dedicated Wide-Angle, Macro and Depth Cameras: Offers versatile photo options with a dedicated wide-angle, macro and depth sensors for more artistic images.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer chipset and higher AnTuTu scores offer a noticeably faster and smoother user experience.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper display with a higher pixel density for crisper visuals.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Much Faster Charging: 67W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Superior Main Camera: Larger main camera sensor for potentially better low-light performance.
- Dedicated Telephoto Camera: Offers versatile zoom capabilities.
- More Storage Options: Choose between 128, 256, or 512 GB of storage.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 providing access to newer features.
- Better Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 offering faster speeds, Bluetooth 5.2 LE which is more efficient.
- Superior Audio Quality: Offers better audio quality with Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers and noise-cancelling microphone.
- EIS: Offers Electronic Image Stabilisation during video recording.
- More RAM: More RAM options for improved multitasking.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G sacrifices performance for a more versatile camera setup, offering dedicated wide-angle, macro and depth sensors for diverse shooting scenarios, a feature lacking in the Realme 12 Pro+.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Photographers: Users who prioritize a versatile camera system with dedicated wide, macro and depth sensors, over raw performance and prefer more artistic, diverse photographic options.
- Casual Users: Those who use their phone primarily for basic tasks and media consumption, and are less sensitive to performance differences.
- Users Who Prefer Simpler Features: Users who prefer a simpler smartphone without all the features offered by higher-end devices.
Realme 12 Pro+ Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who demand fast performance, smooth multitasking, and a more responsive experience for gaming and demanding apps.
- Frequent Social Media Users: Individuals who value a crisp and vibrant display, smooth scrolling, and fast charging, coupled with a telephoto zoom.
- Content Creators: Those who need fast performance, a higher-quality camera, and stable video recording.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who enjoy a higher quality viewing experience and high quality audio.
- Users Wanting Future-Proof Tech: Prefer the latest software and connectivity standards.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A42 5G: Taking a variety of artistic photos with multiple lens options, web browsing, social media, casual mobile gaming.
- Realme 12 Pro+: High-performance mobile gaming, video editing, smooth multitasking, taking detailed photos with the main and telephoto cameras, enjoying high fidelity audio and high quality videos.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize camera versatility (wide angle, macro, depth) or raw processing performance, telephoto and main camera quality?
- Is fast charging and smoother display a must-have, or can you compromise for a lower price and an extra camera lens?
- How important is having the latest Android version, along with the best audio quality and connectivity features, compared to a simpler experience and a slightly older OS?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If budget is the primary concern, and you want a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G. It offers adequate performance for basic tasks and is ideal for users who like to take versatile photographs.
- If you value fast performance, superior display and a better camera: Choose the Realme 12 Pro+. It will provide a smoother, faster user experience with modern features, superior camera quality and more internal storage options.
- If you want the latest features and connectivity, better audio quality: Choose the Realme 12 Pro+. Its superior connectivity, newer software, high fidelity audio make it a better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Realme 12 Pro+. While the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G offers a more versatile set of camera lenses with a dedicated wide-angle, macro and depth sensor, the Realme 12 Pro+ provides a significantly superior overall user experience. The faster processor, higher refresh rate display, faster charging, and superior main and telephoto cameras, along with newer software and better connectivity, make it a more compelling choice for my needs.
Although I might occasionally miss the extra flexibility of the A42's multi-lens array, the Realme 12 Pro+'s advanced camera and performance features mean I am more likely to enjoy using it on a daily basis. For me, the benefits of faster performance, a smoother display, a better main camera and a telephoto zoom, faster charging, and the added advantages of Dolby Atmos and high quality audio, outweigh the lack of a wide-angle, macro and depth camera. Finally, the significantly better performance scores and newer OS are important for future-proofing.
