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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera quality and are prepared to spend more, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus with its higher-quality camera would be a better choice. However, if battery life and cost are your main concerns, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers longer battery life and is significantly less expensive, albeit with a lower-quality camera. The iPhone 15 Plus has a slightly larger screen, which could enhance your viewing experience, but the Galaxy A42's screen is ample for most uses. The iPhone operates on iOS and the Galaxy on Android, which may influence your preference based on the ecosystem you're most comfortable with. 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 15 Plus
- Very good for taking photos
- Excellent for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.6
5.3
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus boasts superior camera features in every assessed category compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42, with a standout selfie camera, higher resolution for photos, more advanced photo processing software, better dynamic range, and improved low light performance. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Plus offers more versatility with its cameras, solid video capabilities, and excellent microphone quality, whereas the Galaxy A42 presents fair overall video attributes and a notable downgrade in microphone and selfie camera quality.
Photo Quality
8.5
5.3
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus delivers very good selfie quality whereas the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers poor selfie quality, making the iPhone 15 Plus better for selfies. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Plus is rated higher in terms of photos software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, contributing to its superior photo-taking capabilities compared to the lower ratings in these areas for the Galaxy A42.
Video Quality
9.1
5.2
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes excellent videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes superior videos thanks to its top-notch video resolution, framerate, software experience, effective stabilization, dynamic range, exceptional low-light performance, and excellent microphone quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A42 falls short in these areas with lower video resolution, weaker software experience, less effective stabilization, limited dynamic range, poorer low-light performance, and fair microphone quality.
Battery
8.9 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has 8.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$829
$360
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a price of $829 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$829 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A16 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 9.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.9 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4383 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 | 6.33" x 3.06" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.09 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 | 5.3 | 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 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 | Yellow, Pink, Blue, Green, Black | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Eric Zeman | October 2023
"Apple's iPhone 15 Plus is the phone to get if battery life and budget are your top concerns. It outlasts the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, coming in second only to the top-shelf Pro Max. Otherwise, it includes a larger display than the standard iPhone 15, the same speedy processor, a fine pair of cameras, excellent wireless radios, and a waterproof build."
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 15 Plus 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
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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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