Samsung's A and M series have blurred the lines between mid-range and budget offerings, and the Galaxy M42 5G and A42 5G exemplify this. Both devices target the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G market, but subtle differences in their specifications could make one a better fit for your needs. This comparison dives deep into those nuances.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M42 5G emerges as the slightly better value. While both share the same Snapdragon 750G chipset and 15W charging, the M42 5G's focus on core specs and potentially optimized software makes it a more compelling choice for performance-minded buyers.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 28 | 2020, September 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 01 | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| 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 |
| | 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 | 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 |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (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 | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Dot Black, Prism Dot Gray | Prism Dot Black, Prism Dot White, Prism Dot Gray |
| Models | SM-M426B, SM-M426B/DS | SM-A426B, SM-A426B/DS, SM-A4260, SM-A426U, SM-A426U1, SM-A426N |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 279.99 / £ 139.10 |
| SAR | 0.69 W/kg (head) | - |
| 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) |
Samsung Galaxy M42 5G
- Potentially better performance optimization due to focus on core specs.
- Shares the same powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset as the A42 5G.
- Likely more affordable price point.
- Display brightness likely lower than the A42 5G.
- Limited detailed specifications available.
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
- Brighter display (570 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
- Solid battery endurance rating of 144 hours.
- Samsung's One UI software optimizations.
- Shares the same Snapdragon 750G chipset as the M42 5G.
- May be slightly more expensive than the M42 5G.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 570 nits, a significant advantage over any reported figures for the M42 5G. While both feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (typical for Samsung's AMOLED panels), the higher brightness of the A42 5G translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The lack of detailed display specs for the M42 5G suggests a potentially less vibrant viewing experience, though both will benefit from the inherent contrast of AMOLED technology. The absence of refresh rate information for both devices indicates a standard 60Hz panel, which is common in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it's reasonable to assume both utilize similar camera modules given their price points. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is likely a marketing feature with limited practical utility. Image processing will be a key differentiator, with Samsung’s software potentially enhancing photos on the A42 5G, but without detailed specs, this remains speculative.
Performance
Both the Samsung Galaxy M42 5G and A42 5G are powered by the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 prime cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 efficiency cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical between the two. The real-world performance difference will likely come down to RAM management and software optimization within Samsung’s One UI. The 8nm process node ensures reasonable thermal efficiency, but sustained heavy workloads could still lead to throttling. The shared chipset means gaming performance will be comparable, though neither phone is positioned as a dedicated gaming device.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has an endurance rating of 144 hours, indicating solid battery life. The M42 5G's battery capacity is not specified, but given its focus on core specs, it's likely optimized for efficiency. Both phones support 15W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern fast-charging standards. A full 0-100% charge will likely take over two hours on both devices. The A42 5G’s endurance rating suggests a larger battery capacity or more efficient power management, providing a slight edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M42 5G if you prioritize raw performance and are looking for a device that can handle demanding apps and moderate gaming without significant compromise. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G if you value a slightly brighter display and are less concerned with squeezing every last bit of performance out of the chipset, potentially benefiting from Samsung's One UI optimizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 750G in either phone handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. However, don't expect flagship-level performance. Both phones may experience some throttling during extended gaming sessions due to thermal limitations. Lowering graphics settings will improve performance and reduce heat.
❓ Is the 15W charging speed acceptable, or should I expect long charging times?
15W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge from 0-100% to take over two hours. This is a compromise to keep the price down. If fast charging is a priority, you'll need to consider a different device.
❓ How does Samsung's One UI affect the performance of these phones?
Samsung's One UI is a feature-rich skin built on top of Android. While it offers many customization options, it can also be resource-intensive. Samsung has been optimizing One UI in recent versions, but it may still impact performance compared to a cleaner Android experience. The A42 5G may benefit from more refined One UI optimizations.
