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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a higher-quality camera is a priority, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro offers better still photo and video quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42. The iPhone also has a higher screen quality and overall performance, plus it supports 5G connectivity and has a longer battery life. On the other hand, the Galaxy A42 is more budget-friendly and has a slightly larger screen, which might be preferable for consuming media. However, it has a plastic body, which may feel less premium than the iPhone's glass back, and it does not have wireless charging capabilities. Additionally, the iPhone 13 Pro runs on iOS, while the Galaxy A42 uses Android, which may affect your choice depending on your preferred ecosystem. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro
- Good for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
5.3
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro boasts superior camera performance with high scores in selfie quality, photos software experience, low light performance, and overall camera versatility, aptly handling a variety of shooting conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 falls short, particularly in photos dynamic range, low light performance, and overall camera versatility, making it a less capable choice for photography enthusiasts.
Photo Quality
7.8
5.3
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro delivers superior photo quality with a high selfie score due in part to its very good software, dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as its overall camera versatility. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 has a lower selfie score and offers less satisfactory performance across these areas, including fair software experience, dynamic range, and camera versatility, explaining its fair photo results.
Video Quality
8.6
5.2
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro offers very good video resolution and frame rate, excellent video stabilization, and dynamic range, leading to high-quality videos across various conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42's capabilities in these areas are generally fair, which means its videos may appear less stable and vibrant, especially in challenging lighting situations.
Battery
6.9 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$567
$360
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has a price of $567 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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How the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$567 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 24, 2021 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3095 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.20 oz | 6.81 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Alpine Green, Graphite, Sierra Blue, Gold, Silver | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Dhruv Bhutani | October 2021
"The basic foundation of the phone is rock solid and essentials like UI navigation, apps, security, and privacy features are polished to a sheen. The camera works consistently well and takes some of the best pictures you can get out of a phone. The phone further embellishes it with performance that won’t have you reaching for a replacement for years, and the battery life is hands-down amongst the best you can get on a flagship. If you’ve been eyeing an iPhone, the iPhone 13 Pro is as good as it gets."
Samsung Galaxy A42
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Ara Wagoner | July 2021
"I need a battery that won't care if I forget to charge it every night, and I need a nice big screen for watching my shows on the go. The 5,000mAh battery will let you get two full days out of the A42. The A42 is right up your alley as an affordable 5G phone that won't die just because you had to crash at a friend's and forgot your phone charger at home."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 13 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy A42
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
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8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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