Nokia G42 vs Samsung Galaxy M15 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia G42
Nokia G42
Nokia

General

Launch Date June 28, 2023 April 5, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 107.56 cm³ 114.35 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.38 "/g 3 "/g
Weight 193.8 g 217 g
Height 165 mm 160.1 mm
Width 75.8 mm 76.8 mm
Thickness 8.6 mm 9.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Red
  • Purple
  • Gray
  • Gray
  • Light Blue
  • Dark Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.56 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1612 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 82.7 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 269 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 450 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 800 nits
Peak Brightness 560 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 116.19 mAh/in² 142.01 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.49 mAh/cm³ 52.47 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 6000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 619 Mali-G57 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureNokia G42Samsung Galaxy M15Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)165 x 75.8 x 8.6160.1 x 76.8 x 9.3M15 slightly shorter and narrower, but thicker. Negligible difference in everyday use.
Weight (g)193.8217G42 noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedBuild quality and materials unknown, limiting comparison.
Display
Display TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLEDAMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency in dark mode. LCD may be brighter in direct sunlight.
Display Size (inches)6.566.5Negligible difference in screen real estate.
Resolution720 x 16121080 x 2340M15 significantly sharper display, noticeable when viewing photos, videos, and text.
Refresh Rate90Hz90HzBoth offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness (nits)560 (peak)800 (HBM)M15 significantly brighter, improving outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 480+ 5GMediatek Dimensity 6100+Dimensity 6100+ offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming capabilities.
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Dimensity 6100+'s more modern architecture provides a performance advantage.
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2 provides better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications.
RAM4GB (listed in phoneVersions)4GB (listed in phoneVersions)Same RAM capacity, though real-world performance can be impacted by other factors.
Camera
Main Camera50MP50MPResolution similar, but image quality depends on sensor size, processing, and other factors not fully specified.
Selfie Camera8MP13MPM15 higher resolution selfie camera for potentially better quality self-portraits.
Video Recording1080p@30fps1080p@30fps with EISM15 includes Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smoother video recording.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh6000mAhM15 significantly larger battery, likely translating to longer battery life.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Nokia G42 Advantages:

  • Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
  • Potentially Lower Price: Specific prices vary but generally the G42 is slightly cheaper.

Samsung Galaxy M15 Advantages:

  • Significantly Better Performance: Smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall user experience.
  • Sharper Display: Higher resolution and AMOLED technology provide a more visually appealing experience.
  • Brighter Display: Enhanced outdoor visibility.
  • Larger Battery: Longer usage time between charges.
  • Better Camera Features: EIS for video stabilization, higher resolution selfie camera.
  • Dual SIM: Supports two SIM cards simultaneously for greater flexibility.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Nokia G42:

  • Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability over top-tier performance.
  • Basic users: Primarily using phone for calls, texting, and light browsing.
  • Users valuing lightness and portability.

Samsung Galaxy M15:

  • Users seeking a balance of performance and value.
  • Gamers and multimedia consumers: Benefitting from the improved GPU and display.
  • Users demanding long battery life.
  • Users who require dual SIM functionality.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Nokia G42 offers cost savings for budget-conscious buyers.
  2. What are your primary phone usage patterns? Heavy users will appreciate the M15's performance and battery.
  3. How important is display quality? The M15 offers a significantly better viewing experience.

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy M15

While the Nokia G42 offers a lighter weight and potential cost savings, the Samsung Galaxy M15 provides a significantly superior overall user experience due to its:

  • Superior Performance: The Dimensity 6100+ provides a noticeable improvement in speed and responsiveness for everyday tasks and gaming, making the phone feel more future-proof.
  • Better Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution and brightness delivers a much more enjoyable viewing experience.
  • Longer Battery Life: The 6000mAh battery ensures all-day usage without worry.

The slightly higher price and heavier weight of the M15 are easily justified by these significant advantages. The G42 is a decent budget option, but the M15 provides a more compelling value proposition in the mid-range segment.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.