The Realme Q2i and Samsung Galaxy A42 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they take different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and overall feature set. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw processing power and potentially smoother gaming, the Realme Q2i emerges as the winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 720, built on a smaller 7nm process, offers a slight edge in CPU performance over the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G’s Snapdragon 750. However, the A42 5G’s slightly brighter display and comparable battery life make it a strong contender.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 13. Released 2020, October 21 | 2020, September 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.94", 0.8µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/2.78", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver | Prism Dot Black, Prism Dot White, Prism Dot Gray |
| Models | - | SM-A426B, SM-A426B/DS, SM-A4260, SM-A426U, SM-A426U1, SM-A426N |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 279.99 / £ 139.10 |
| SAR EU | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 144h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.1 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 324686 (v8)
GeekBench: 1910 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Q2i
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better CPU performance due to Dimensity 720's architecture
- More power-efficient 7nm chipset
- Likely lower display brightness
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
- Brighter 570 nit display
- Established Samsung brand and software support
- Potentially better image processing
- Slower 15W charging
- Less efficient 8nm chipset
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 570 nits, providing better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Realme Q2i, whose brightness is not specified but is likely lower given its focus on cost reduction. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for modern LCD/AMOLED panels), the A42 5G’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor use. The lack of refresh rate information for the Q2i suggests a standard 60Hz panel, while the A42 5G’s panel technology isn’t specified, but is likely LCD. Bezels are expected to be similar on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Samsung’s history of strong image processing, the A42 5G likely delivers more consistent and visually appealing photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a dedicated Night Mode on the A42 5G (based on Samsung’s software features) is probable, offering an advantage over the Q2i. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and should not be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Q2i utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm), featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is powered by the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750 5G (8nm), with an octa-core setup of 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. The 7nm process of the Dimensity 720 generally translates to better power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the 8nm Snapdragon 750. While the Snapdragon 750 has slightly higher clock speeds, the architectural advantages of the Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 720 may provide a more noticeable performance boost in real-world applications. Both devices likely feature similar RAM configurations, impacting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Q2i and Samsung Galaxy A42 5G achieve an endurance rating of 144 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme Q2i supports 18W wired charging, while the A42 5G is limited to 15W. This means the Q2i will likely charge slightly faster, reducing downtime. The battery capacity of both devices is not specified, but the comparable endurance ratings suggest similar capacities, with the Q2i’s faster charging potentially offsetting any minor capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q2i if you need a phone that prioritizes CPU performance for multitasking and light gaming, and you're comfortable with a potentially less refined software experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G if you prefer a brighter display for outdoor visibility, a more established brand reputation, and a potentially more polished user interface, even if it means a slight compromise in raw processing speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 750 in the Galaxy A42 5G struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 750 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Dimensity 720 in the Q2i may offer slightly better sustained performance due to its more efficient 7nm process, potentially allowing for higher settings without significant frame drops.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 18W and 15W?
While not a massive difference, 18W charging on the Realme Q2i will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the 15W charging on the Galaxy A42 5G. Expect roughly a 15-20% faster charge from 0-100% with the Q2i, which can be convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Is the camera on either phone good enough for casual social media use?
Yes, both phones are perfectly adequate for casual social media photography. However, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is likely to produce more consistently pleasing results, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, due to Samsung's established image processing capabilities.
