Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs TCL 4042 S
Our Verdict: Only the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a 5G phone; the TCL 4042 S maxes out at 4G, and the S25 Ultra packs the bigger battery, 5000mAh against 1500mAh, though real-world battery life depends on more than capacity. The S25 Ultra has the stronger screen, bigger at 6.8" against 2.8" and sharper at 505 PPI, and the 4042 S is the lighter phone at 111g against 219g. The S25 Ultra is the one to have if you want what it adds, but the 4042 S is the smarter buy if you'd rather keep the money.
The 4042 S is the cheaper one to own: around £189 over a typical contract, £651 less than the S25 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
|
TCL 4042 S
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.8" | 2.8" |
| Display | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | QVGA |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 | 240 x 320 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 505 | 143 |
| Rear Camera | 200 Megapixels | N/A |
| Front Camera | 12 Megapixels | N/A |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) | UMS9117-L (T107) |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 1,500 mAh |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 | Mocor (RTOS) |
| SIM Type | nano-SIM and e-SIM | Nano SIM |
| Connectivity | Up to 5G | Up to 4G |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 | - |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm | 137.48 x 57.5 x 13.65 mm |
| Weight | 219 grams | 111 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes | Not rated |
| Contracts |
£33.79/mo
£29.00 upfront |
£7.50/mo
£0.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £579.00 | - |
| Deals | Deals |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or TCL 4042 S cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the TCL 4042 S is cheaper on contract at £189.08 over the life of the deal from £7.50 per month with £0.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or TCL 4042 S?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.8" compared to the TCL 4042 S's 2.8", the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has the sharper display at 505 pixels per inch versus 143, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra uses a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel while the TCL 4042 S has a QVGA.
Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or TCL 4042 S?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 200 Megapixels rear camera, while the TCL 4042 S has a N/A rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and TCL 4042 S use?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), while the TCL 4042 S uses the UMS9117-L (T107).
Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or TCL 4042 S?
The TCL 4042 S is the more portable of the two: it's 108g lighter at 111 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 137.48 x 57.5 x 13.65 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is slimmer at 8.2mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or TCL 4042 S?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the TCL 4042 S is rated Not rated.
What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and TCL 4042 S run?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra runs Android 15 and the TCL 4042 S runs Mocor (RTOS). This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.