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The iQOO Z9x is the more capable phone on paper: it has a newer 5G chipset, a larger and sharper 120Hz display, twice the stated battery capacity, faster charging, and eight times the base storage of the Itel S42. The price comparison needs a date caveat, though: the S42’s ₹8,499 price was its India launch price in March 2018, while iQOO’s India store listed the Z9x at ₹17,999–₹19,999 by variant when checked on October 7, 2026. Those figures are not equivalent current-market prices.
How different are the Itel S42 and iQOO Z9x?
They belong to different phone generations. The Itel S42 launched in India in March 2018; a comparison listing dates the iQOO Z9x launch to May 2024. The S42 was an entry-level device for its time, while the Z9x is a newer 5G model with substantially higher listed specifications.
The comparison below uses the S42’s India launch specifications and iQOO’s official Z9x specifications. It describes stated hardware, not measured speed, camera quality, or battery life.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Specification | Itel S42 | iQOO Z9x 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Launch context | India, March 2018; launch price ₹8,499 (The Indian Express, 2018) | May 2024 launch date (91mobiles comparison listing) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 (The Indian Express, 2018) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (iQOO India, accessed 2026) |
| RAM and storage | 3GB RAM; 16GB storage (The Indian Express, 2018) | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB RAM; 128GB storage in each listed variant (iQOO India, accessed 2026) |
| Display | 5.65-inch IPS LCD; 720 × 1440 (The Indian Express, 2018) | 6.72-inch LCD; 2408 × 1080; up to 120Hz (iQOO India, accessed 2026) |
| Rear cameras | 13MP (The Indian Express, 2018) | 50MP + 2MP (iQOO India, accessed 2026) |
| Front camera | 13MP (The Indian Express, 2018) | 8MP (iQOO India, accessed 2026) |
| Battery and charging | 3,000mAh (The Indian Express, 2018) | 6,000mAh typical; 44W charging (iQOO India, accessed 2026) |
| Software at launch | Android 8.0 (The Indian Express, 2018) | Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14 (iQOO India, accessed 2026) |
| Network generation | 4G-era model; 5G is not listed in the S42 launch specifications | 5G model (iQOO India, accessed 2026) |
Which phone has the better performance and storage?
The Z9x has the stronger listed platform: its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is much newer than the S42’s Snapdragon 425, and its available configurations pair 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM with 128GB storage. The S42 launched with 3GB RAM and 16GB storage. These specifications point to a substantial generational difference, but they do not establish a particular speed ratio; no comparable benchmark results are available here.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
The S42’s launch coverage reported storage expansion by microSD card up to 128GB. That can add space if a compatible card and an S42 are available, but it does not change the phone’s original 16GB internal storage.
How do the displays compare?
The Z9x display is both larger and higher-resolution: 6.72 inches at 2408 × 1080, compared with the S42’s 5.65 inches at 720 × 1440. iQOO also specifies a refresh rate of up to 120Hz for the Z9x; the S42 launch specifications do not state a comparable high refresh rate. The Z9x therefore offers the more capable display specification on paper, though actual viewing experience also depends on factors not captured by those figures.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Which phone has better cameras?
The stated camera resolutions differ by camera: the Z9x has a 50MP main rear camera plus a 2MP secondary rear camera and an 8MP front camera; the S42 lists 13MP rear and front cameras. The S42 therefore has the higher stated selfie resolution, while the Z9x has a higher-resolution main rear camera on paper. Megapixels alone do not show which phone takes better photos or selfies, and no comparative image-quality test is established here.
Which phone has the better battery and charging?
iQOO specifies a 6,000mAh typical battery for the Z9x and 44W charging. The S42 was specified with a 3,000mAh battery. The Z9x consequently has twice the nominal battery capacity and supports faster charging by specification; these figures do not establish a particular real-world runtime or charging time.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What is the price difference between the Itel S42 and iQOO Z9x?
There is no reliable like-for-like current price gap to calculate from the available figures. The Indian Express reported ₹8,499 as the S42’s India launch price in March 2018, not as a verified present-day selling price. iQOO India’s store listed the Z9x at the following MRPs by memory variant when checked on October 7, 2026:
| iQOO Z9x variant | Official India store MRP | Availability shown |
|---|---|---|
| 4GB RAM / 128GB storage | ₹17,999 | Availability varied in the store listing |
| 6GB RAM / 128GB storage | ₹18,999 | Availability varied in the store listing |
| 8GB RAM / 128GB storage | ₹19,999 | Availability varied in the store listing |
Because one figure is a 2018 launch price and the others are official-store MRPs checked in 2026, subtracting them would not give a meaningful current price difference. The Z9x store listing also showed varying availability by variant. A current selling price for the S42, or confirmed current secondhand and refurbished values for either phone, is not established here; check the seller and exact variant before buying.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Which phone should you choose?
- Choose the iQOO Z9x if you want a newer phone with 5G, a higher-spec processor, more RAM and storage options, a larger high-refresh-rate screen, and a larger battery with faster charging. These are specification advantages, not guarantees of measured performance or battery life.
- Consider the Itel S42 only if its older hardware meets a specific need and you can verify the device’s condition and price. Its original launch price is historical, and the comparison does not establish a current market value.
For most readers comparing these models as phones to use today, the Z9x is the clear specifications choice. Its stated hardware is much newer, but the appropriate buying decision still depends on current stock, the price of the exact variant, and the individual device’s condition.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Sources
- The Indian Express: Itel S42 launch details and India launch price, 2018
- iQOO India: Z9x official specifications
- iQOO India Store: Z9x variant MRPs and availability
- 91mobiles: comparison listing with Z9x launch-date context
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
