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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera quality and performance, then the Asus Zenfone 9 is a superior choice with better still photo and video quality, plus it has a more powerful processor and higher screen resolution. However, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers a larger screen and longer battery life, making it ideal for media consumption and extended use. While the Galaxy A42 is more affordable, you would compromise on camera capabilities and performance. Both have Android operating systems and plastic bodies, but the Zenfone 9 has additional features like a 120Hz refresh rate display and HDR video support, justifying its higher price. 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 Asus Zenfone 9
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
5.3
The Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Asus Zenfone 9 delivers a very good software experience for photography, however, it falls short in areas like dynamic range, low light performance, and selfie quality when compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42, which offers a fair photography software experience but generally poorer performance across the board, including a notably lower quality in selfies.
Photo Quality
6.0
5.3
The Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Asus Zenfone 9 captures lower quality selfies compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42, which impacts its overall photo performance as selfies are very important; meanwhile, the Galaxy A42 has better dynamic range and low light performance than the Zenfone 9, which contributes to its higher rating in photo quality despite having a lower resolution camera. Both phones struggle with camera versatility and software experience in photos, further affecting the Zenfone 9's photo capabilities while the Galaxy A42 manages a fair performance thanks to its competent dynamic range and low light attributes.
Video Quality
6.4
5.2
The Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Asus Zenfone 9 offers a better video software experience, more effective stabilization, and higher dynamic range, which contribute to fair videos, especially in low light situations where its performance and microphone quality are better. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42 has limitations in these areas, resulting in poorer video stabilization and dynamic range, less effective low light performance, and inferior microphone quality, hence its poor video output.
Battery
7.8 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a screen size of 5.9 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$700
$360
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Asus Zenfone 9 has a price of $700 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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How the Asus Zenfone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus Zenfone 9 | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Asus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 15, 2022 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.9" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 445 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8+G1 | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.77" x 2.68" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 6.81 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 89 | (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 | Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Asus Zenfone 9
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | March 2023
"The Asus Zenfone 9 is a compact device that still packs more than enough power under the hood. It's compact size, Bluetooth and audio features (including a headphone jack!), and hardware gestures combine to offer a package that does enough differently to warrant your attention."
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 Asus Zenfone 9 or the Samsung Galaxy A42
About ASUS
Asus is a well-known player in the mobile world, and in the past few years it has been known for covering specific niches in the smartphone market. Their Zenfone line of devices appeal to small phone enthusiasts, by providing very well-rounded and capable phones at a package that is not too large to operate with one hand – something hard to find in modern Android smartphones. Conversely, their ROG line of devices cater to mobile gamers, by providing a slew of hardware and software features, specifically tailored to enhance the mobile gaming experience. Additionally, Asus is one of the only manufacturers left that continues to include headphone jacks in their lineup of phones, a feature that has become exceedingly rare in today's market.
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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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
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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.
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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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