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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy A54 has a glass back, higher screen resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate compared to the 60Hz on the Galaxy A42, which translates to smoother visuals. It also offers a higher peak screen brightness, making it better for use in bright conditions. With more storage and RAM, the A54 will typically perform better and store more apps and data. The A54's camera system is rated slightly higher for photos and video, and it can record 4K video at 60fps versus 30fps on the A42. However, the A42 has a longer battery life, so if battery endurance is a priority, it may be the better choice. Both phones lack a 3.5mm headphone jack and bring similar features in other departments, operating on Android with plastic bodies and OLED displays. The choice between the two depends on whether you prefer better screen and camera performance (A54) or longer battery life and lower cost (A42). 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 Samsung Galaxy A42
- Best in class battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A54
- Good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
6.2
The Samsung Galaxy A54 has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy A54 both offer fair performance in selfie quality, which is very important to consider. If camera versatility, which includes the range of different types of photos you can take, is also important to you, the A54 has a slight edge with a good rating, while the A42 is rated as fair.
Photo Quality
5.3
6.4
The Samsung Galaxy A54 takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a poorer selfie quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy A54; this is particularly important if selfie photos are a priority for you. The Galaxy A54 also outperforms the A42 in camera versatility, meaning it offers more options and better overall camera performance if you frequently use different camera modes.
Battery
10.7 Hours
8.9 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A54 has 8.9 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A54 is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$360
$450
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy A54 costs $450.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
5.2
5.3
The Samsung Galaxy A54 and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 produces poor videos mainly due to its lower video software experience, less effective video stabilization, and more limited video dynamic range, which affects overall video quality, especially when capturing fast-moving subjects or in varying light conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A54 takes fair videos as it generally provides better handling in these aspects, contributing to smoother footage and improved handling of different lighting scenarios.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy A54 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy A54 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | March 24, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 403 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | E1380 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.7 Hours | 8.9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 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 | 6.47" x 2.99" | 6.23" x 3.02" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 7.13 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (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 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)25, 41, 66, 71 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black, Gray, White | Awesome Violet, Awesome Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
Shopping
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."
Samsung Galaxy A54
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The Verge
Allison Johnson | April 2023
"As far as midrange phones go, the A54 has all the right stuff: a big 6.4-inch screen, very good battery life, a durable build to withstand water and dust, and a support policy promising security updates for five years. If you squint at that spec list, you can almost see a thousand-dollar flagship phone. Almost."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy A54
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.
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