1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 158.5 × 75.9 × 7.7 mm | S24+ is more pocketable due to being shorter and thinner. A42 5G has slightly larger volume. |
| Weight | 193g | 196g | Virtually identical weight; negligible difference in hand. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3120 | S24+ offers significantly sharper images, videos, and text. |
| PPI | 266 | 513 | S24+ has a much crisper display, reducing pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | A42 5G has superior display technology (AMOLED vs ) offering deeper blacks, better contrast, superior power efficiency for dark themes, more vibrant colors | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S24+ provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24+ offers dramatically better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S24+ screen is more resistant to scratches and accidental drops. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) - USA/Canada/China | S24+ offers significantly faster processing, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 1,639,695 | S24+ is substantially more powerful; noticeable difference in app loading times and overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) - USA/Canada/China (Xclipse 940) | S24+ has a much more powerful GPU for demanding games and graphics-intensive applications. |
| RAM | 4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB | 12 GB | S24+ handles more apps simultaneously without slowdowns; better for multitasking. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor | S24+ captures slightly more detailed photos with better low-light performance due to the larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 | A42 5G has higher resolution but is the pixel size unknown for S24+ |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4 | S24+ allows for optical zoom, capturing distant subjects with better clarity. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | S24+ captures wider scenes with more detail and less distortion. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A42 5G can take portrait shots. |
| Macro lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A42 5G allows for macro photos. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps | S24+ offers higher resolution video with better stabilization and audio quality. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | S24+ records smoother videos, especially while moving. |
| Features | Quadruple camera | Triple camera, Night Mode 2.0, Optical Zoom, OIS, RAW | S24+ offers advanced features like Night Mode, optical image stabilization and RAW image capture for greater creative control. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | Similar battery life under typical usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 45W fast charging | S24+ charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | None | 15W | S24+ offers convenient wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | None | Yes | S24+ can wirelessly charge other devices like earbuds. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24+ supports faster and more stable WiFi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | S24+ has a more efficient and feature-rich Bluetooth connection. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano / eSIM) | S24+ supports eSIM for flexibility in carrier selection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S24+ offers more precise and reliable location tracking. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB / 512 GB | S24+ offers significantly more storage for photos, videos, and apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- AMOLED Display: Offers potentially deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors (assuming the S24+ display is not also AMOLED).
- Lower Price (Likely): As an older, mid-range phone, it should be significantly cheaper than the S24+.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides a much smoother and more responsive user experience.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness make for a significantly better visual experience.
- Better Camera System: Telephoto lens, higher resolution ultrawide, and advanced features like OIS and Night Mode provide greater versatility and image quality.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Quicker charging times and the convenience of wireless charging.
- More Storage & RAM: Provides more space for files and smoother multitasking.
- Newer Software & Longer Support: Comes with Android 14 and is likely to receive more future updates.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 offer faster and more reliable connections.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Price: The S24+ is a flagship phone and will be considerably more expensive than the A42 5G.
- Camera: The S24+ doesn't have a Portrait mode (depth) or Macro lens like the A42 5G.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need basic smartphone functionality.
- Users who prioritize battery life over performance and advanced features.
- Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and light social media.
Use Cases for Galaxy A42 5G:
- As a secondary phone.
- For users who prefer macro photography.
- Basic day to day use for undemanding users.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Ideal User:
- Users who demand high performance for gaming, photography, and multitasking.
- Users who value a premium display experience.
- Users who want the latest features and long-term software support.
Use Cases for Galaxy S24+:
- Mobile gaming.
- Photography and videography.
- Demanding productivity tasks (video editing, graphic design).
- Media consumption (streaming movies, playing games).
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The price difference between these phones is significant.
- How important is performance to me? If you play demanding games or multitask heavily, the S24+ is the clear winner.
- How much do I value camera quality and features? The S24+ offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera system, but is missing features that the A42 5G has such as a Portrait mode (depth) and a Macro lens.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: Choose the Galaxy A42 5G.
- Scenario 2: Moderate Budget, Decent Performance: Consider other mid-range options released closer to the present date of comparison
- Scenario 3: No Budget Constraints, Premium Experience: Choose the Galaxy S24+.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S24+. The significant improvements in display quality, processing power, camera capabilities, and overall user experience far outweigh the higher cost. As someone who values smooth performance, enjoys mobile gaming, and takes a lot of photos, the S24+ is the better choice. The faster charging and longer software support are also significant advantages that justify the investment. Even though the A42 5G has an amoled display, the other features of the S24+ overshadow it. The S24+ also having wireless charging is also a bonus.
