Samsung Galaxy A34 vs M42 5G: Which Samsung Mid-Ranger Reigns Supreme?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A34 is the better choice. Its significantly brighter 1009-nit display and faster 25W charging outweigh the M42 5G’s 5G connectivity, especially considering the A34’s more modern chipset and software support. However, the M42 5G remains a viable option for those prioritizing 5G on a tight budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy M42 5G | Samsung Galaxy A34 |
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 28 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 01 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Prism Dot Black, Prism Dot Gray | Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver |
| Models | SM-M426B, SM-M426B/DS | SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999 |
| SAR | 0.69 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 133h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.1 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 472126 (v9) GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M42 5G
- Brighter and higher quality display (1009 nits)
- Faster 25W charging
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset
- Potentially higher price point
- May lack dedicated 5G support in certain regions (depending on variant)
Samsung Galaxy A34
- Lower price point
- Integrated 5G connectivity
- Acceptable battery life (133h endurance)
- Slower 15W charging
- Less powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Likely lower display brightness and quality
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A34 boasts a superior display experience with a measured peak brightness of 1009 nits, significantly outshining the M42 5G (brightness data unavailable). While both are likely to utilize Samsung’s AMOLED technology, the A34’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The A34’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent black levels, typical of AMOLED panels. The M42 5G’s display specs are less defined, suggesting a more basic implementation focused on cost reduction.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the A34’s newer chipset likely incorporates more advanced image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing feature with limited practical utility. Focusing on the main sensor performance is crucial, and the A34’s newer processing pipeline likely gives it an edge.
Performance
The A34’s Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6nm) offers a performance advantage over the M42 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm). The Dimensity 1080’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.6 GHz, provide a noticeable boost in CPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 cores (2.2 GHz). The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1080 also contributes to improved power efficiency. While both phones are capable of handling everyday tasks, the A34 will exhibit smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding applications and games.
Battery Life
Both the Galaxy A34 and M42 5G achieve an endurance rating of 133 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the A34’s 25W wired charging is significantly faster than the M42 5G’s 15W charging. This translates to a much quicker 0-100% charge time for the A34, reducing downtime. While the mAh capacity isn’t specified, the A34’s more efficient chipset and faster charging provide a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M42 5G if you absolutely need 5G connectivity and are on a very limited budget, accepting compromises in display quality and charging speed. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A34 if you prioritize a vibrant, bright display, faster charging, and a more modern processor for smoother everyday performance and longer software support.