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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a larger screen and superior camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a bigger and sharper display, along with higher-quality cameras for both still photos and videos. It also offers a high refresh rate for a smoother visual experience. However, if extended battery life and a more affordable price are more important to you, the Samsung Galaxy A42 may be the better choice, as it offers longer battery life despite having a less impressive camera and screen. Keep in mind the Galaxy Note20 Ultra also supports additional features such as wireless charging and has a more premium glass back. Both phones run on Android and offer 5G connectivity. 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 Note20 Ultra
- Good for taking photos
- Poor for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
7.3
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a poor selfie camera, which is a critical factor, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a good selfie camera, alongside fair ratings in other important aspects like photo resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. Additionally, the Note20 Ultra also has camera versatility with an overall good performance, compared to the A42's singular fair versatility rating.
Photo Quality
5.3
7.3
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A42 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 provides a fair selfie experience mostly because of its lower selfie photo quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, offering better selfie photo quality and camera versatility, is held back from excelling due to its just good ratings in other aspects like dynamic range and low light performance. Both phones provide a fair overall photo experience given these limitations in key areas, despite having respectable resolutions and software experiences.
Video Quality
5.2
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy A42 both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 records videos at a lower resolution and framerate, suffers from poor dynamic range and stabilization, and delivers subpar low light performance, resulting in poor video quality overall. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra provides better resolution and framerate, along with superior stabilization, dynamic range, and low light capabilities, leading to fair video quality that clearly outperforms its counterpart.
Battery
10.7 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has 10.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$360
$395
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a price of $360 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra costs $395.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A42 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is 6.9 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A42 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A42 | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $395 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 11, 2020 | August 21, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.9" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 266 | 496 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD865+ | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.2/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.7 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.47" x 2.99" | 6.49" x 3.04" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.81 oz | 7.34 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 | 5.0 | |
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)2, 5, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 | |
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 | Mystic Black, White, Mystic Bronze | |
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 Note20 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Matt Swider | July 2021
"The Note 20 Ultra has it all – almost: a big screen, superb camera, high refresh rate, the S Pen, in-screen fingerprint sensor, super-fast specs, 5G speeds, a fancy curved display. This phone is built for power users who want everything but the fastest charging speeds."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A42 or the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
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.
Nick Landia, Ph.D
Chief Data Scientist
Nick is a machine learning expert with a Ph.D in recommendation systems from the University of Warwick.
Aaron Koller, Ph.D
Head of Product
Aaron is a product leader and recommendation enthusiast with a Ph.D in philosophy from Syracuse University.
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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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