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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority for you, the Google Pixel 6 should be your choice as it offers better overall camera performance and capability to shoot higher quality video. On the other hand, if battery life is more important to you, the Samsung Galaxy A42 has longer battery life. Both phones are in the budget price range and have OLED screens, but the Pixel 6 has a smaller but higher-resolution display with a higher refresh rate for smoother visuals. The Pixel 6 also offers more RAM for better performance, while the Galaxy A42 has expandable storage with an SD card slot which the Pixel 6 lacks. Both run Android, yet the Pixel 6 is made of glass whereas the A42 is plastic, which may influence durability and feel. 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 Google Pixel 6
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.7
5.3
The Google Pixel 6 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6 delivers a superior camera experience with better software, dynamic range, and low light performance, which is beneficial for taking high-quality photos and selfies, whereas the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers only fair performance in these aspects, reflecting its more budget-friendly positioning and resulting in less impressive photos and selfies. Additionally, the Google Pixel 6 provides a good level of camera versatility and selfie quality, in contrast to the Samsung Galaxy A42's fair versatility and selfie quality.
Photo Quality
7.7
5.3
The Google Pixel 6 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Google Pixel 6 produces very good selfies as it offers strong performance in software enhancements and dynamic range, coupled with a higher resolution main camera for more detailed images. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A42's fair selfie quality is due to its weaker software processing and dynamic range, lower resolution camera, and overall less effective low light performance.
Video Quality
7.0
5.2
The Google Pixel 6 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 6 delivers fair video performance because it has very good video resolution/framerate, software experience, stabilization, and good dynamic range and low light performance. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A42 offers poor video performance as its video stabilization is just fair, and it suffers from poor video software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance.
Battery
6.9 Hours
10.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 6 has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6 has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A42 is 6.6 inches.
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Key similarities
Cost
$350
$360
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Google Pixel 6 has a price of $350 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 costs $360.
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How the Google Pixel 6 and the Samsung Galaxy A42 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6 | Samsung Galaxy A42 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$350 | $360 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 28, 2022 | November 11, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 1600 x 720 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 411 | 266 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD750 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7/10 | 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 | 6.9 Hours | 10.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4614 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 21 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.24" x 2.94" | 6.47" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.30 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 | 5.2 | 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/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (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: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Stormy Black, Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral | Black, Gray, White | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Police
Taylor Kerns | April 2022
"It punches above its weight in nearly every way: performance is great, build quality is very good, and the cameras positively rip. this is a big phone, which is a bit of a shock after the compact Pixel 4 and Pixel 5. But it’s a very good big phone at a very good price."
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 Google Pixel 6 or the Samsung Galaxy A42
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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