Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A12
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | A42 5G is negligibly thinner (0.3mm), A42 5G and A12 have very similar dimensions |
| Weight | 193g | 205g | A42 5G is slightly lighter (12g), potentially more comfortable for prolonged use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Very similar screen sizes, slight advantage for A42 5G for slightly more immersive viewing |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Identical resolution, meaning similar sharpness |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 270 PPI | Very similar pixel density, minimal practical difference in sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | A42 5G's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and superior power efficiency for dark themes, better outdoor visibility |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard 60Hz refresh rates, same smoothness in scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have the same peak brightness, information is unavailable for real-world brightness |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Helio P35 (12 nm) | A42 5G has a significantly more powerful and efficient chipset. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 103,000 | A42 5G offers significantly superior overall performance (281% higher), better gaming performance, more future proof, noticeable difference in snappiness |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | PowerVR GE8320 | A42 5G's GPU is much more powerful, enabling smoother gaming and graphics performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, expect similar battery life on paper, real world usage will vary |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | Both have 15W charging, with different battery tech, Li-Polymer in A42 5G potentially offers slightly better longevity |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Batteries are not user-replaceable in either model |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/2.0 | A42 5G's wider aperture (f/1.8) allows slightly more light, resulting in better low light photos |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | A42 5G's selfie camera captures significantly more detail and higher quality pictures due to the higher resolution |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens, potentially offering better zoomed photos |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Both phones have comparable wide-angle lenses, similar performance |
| Depth Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A42 5G's higher resolution sensor captures more depth information in portrait shots |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A42 5G has dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 1080p@30fps | A42 5G can record higher resolution (4K) video and higher fps slow motion, suitable for content creation or videography |
| DxOMark | Not Available | Mobile Score: 90 (Photo: 0, Video: 0) | A12 DxOMark scores show its camera capabilities while A42 5G has no score. The provided scores are quite low |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | A42 5G has additional Phase detection autofocus, which offers improved auto focus capabilities, and support for 4K recording. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 13 | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | A42 5G will receive one more Android version upgrade than A12, potentially better longevity |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-Band | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual-Band | A42 5G supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds, additionally features Wi-Fi Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | Both have Bluetooth 5.0 |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A42 5G supports more satellite systems offering potentially more accurate location tracking |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB | 32GB/64GB/128GB | A42 5G offers fixed 128GB, A12 comes in multiple storage options. Both offer up to 128GB variant |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 3GB/4GB/6GB | A42 5G has more RAM options, potentially better for multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both have basic audio quality |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | A12's side-mounted sensor is generally more convenient and faster compared to the basic sensor on the A42 5G |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Specific screen protection type unknown, both might use similar glass types |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | A42 5G has compass and gyroscope in addition to the standard sensor set. A42 5G can be used for enhanced AR and more advanced gaming scenarios |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750 5G chipset offers significantly better performance than the Helio P35, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences.
- Better Display: The AMOLED screen provides superior color accuracy, contrast, and power efficiency for dark mode, and better outdoor visibility, resulting in much better viewing experience.
- Better Cameras: The A42 5G has higher resolution selfie camera and can record 4K video, suitable for video recording enthusiasts
- More Advanced Connectivity: The A42 5G supports more advanced Wi-Fi and GPS standards.
- More Future Proof: The A42 5G is more future-proof due to its more powerful chipset, support for 5G and a longer software support.
- Additional Sensors: The A42 5G has additional sensors to the A12 which enables more advanced use cases such as AR.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: A dedicated telephoto lens is useful for zooming capabilities.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The side mounted sensor offers a generally faster and more convenient way to unlock the device compared to a basic fingerprint sensor.
- Lower Price: A12's main selling point is that it is much more affordable than the A42 5G.
Trade-offs:
- The A42 5G offers superior performance and display but at a higher price point.
- The A12 offers a lower price but with noticeably lower performance, a basic display and a lower quality front facing camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking and demanding apps
- Users who value high-quality displays for media consumption
- Users who want to record higher quality videos and have better selfies
- Users looking for a future-proof device with 5G connectivity.
- Users who want more advanced features such as AR.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need a functional smartphone for basic tasks.
- Users who are not heavy gamers and do not need high-performance.
- Users who prefer a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
- Users who need a functional camera but do not prioritize advanced features or video quality.
Specific Use Cases:
- A42 5G: Gaming, content creation (vlogging), graphic-intensive apps, users looking for 5G.
- A12: Casual web browsing, social media, basic photography, users who don't require high performance.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The A42 5G offers a much higher value to users who prioritize performance and a quality display, while the A12 is suitable if budget is the primary concern.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? - This is the primary question.
- How important is performance for you? - Are you a gamer or heavy app user?
- How important is the quality of the display and camera? - Do you value vivid colors and photo quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-conscious with basic needs: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12 if price is your primary concern and you need a phone for simple tasks like social media, browsing and casual photos.
- Balanced Performance and Features: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G if you value a good display, better camera performance, 5G and overall smoother experience.
- Heavy User: If you use heavy applications, game often, or are a heavy multitasker, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is the preferred device.
What I would Choose and Why
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has a lower price point, the A42 5G offers a significantly better experience across several critical areas. The Snapdragon 750 5G chipset provides a massive performance upgrade, making everyday tasks feel snappier and allowing for more demanding applications like gaming. The AMOLED display is a game changer with its better contrast, color vibrancy and outdoor visibility. The significantly improved front facing camera also allows for much better photos and video recording, suitable for content creation or video calls. Finally, the support for 5G and a longer software upgrade life cycle make the A42 5G a better long-term investment.
Although the A12 has the advantage of a lower price point and a more convenient side mounted sensor, these are not enough to compensate for the vast improvements in performance, display and camera quality of the A42 5G.
