1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G | Nokia G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | 165 × 75.8 × 8.6 mm | Virtually identical size; negligible difference. |
| Weight | 193g | 193.8g | Virtually identical weight; negligible difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.56" | Very similar screen size; negligible difference in daily use. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1612 | Similar sharpness; both are HD+ displays. |
| PPI | 266 | 269 | Similar pixel density; visual difference is minimal. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, particularly beneficial for dark mode and media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Nokia G42's 90Hz display offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have the same brightness - details unknown, which is not helpful. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750 5G | Snapdragon 480+ 5G | Snapdragon 750 5G is marginally faster and performs slightly better in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 392,400 | 380,000 | Similar performance levels; both handle daily tasks well. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Identical graphics performance; similar gaming capability. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 50MP | Nokia G42 has slightly higher resolution; potential for more detailed photos in ideal lighting. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 20MP | 8MP | Samsung offers much higher resolution for selfies. |
| Selfie Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Nokia G42 has a wider aperture and should perform slightly better in low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | N/A | Samsung allows for wide angle shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP | 2MP | Samsung has a much higher resolution for depth sensing and portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | 2MP | Samsung has a much higher resolution for macro photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Samsung captures video in much higher quality; ideal for those who prioritize video. |
| Slow-Motion | 480fps | 30fps | Samsung offers far greater slow-motion capability. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life; should last a full day under moderate usage. |
| Charging | 15W | 20W | Nokia G42 charges slightly faster; useful for quick top-ups. |
| Charger | Included | Not included | Nokia requires users to purchase a charger separately, increasing costs and e-waste if a user does not already have one. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 13) | Android 13 (up to 14) | Nokia G42 comes with a newer OS version out of the box and will get longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Nokia G42 supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering improved speeds and latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Nokia G42 supports a slightly newer version of Bluetooth for more efficient connections. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G allows two SIM cards to be used simultaneously for separating work and personal lines. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 128 GB | Both offer the same storage, suitable for most users; limited for users with extensive media. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6 GB | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has an 8GB option, offering better multitasking capability. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Microphones | Basic Audio | 2 Microphones | Nokia G42 may have better call quality because it uses 2 mics for noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Nokia G42's sensor is slightly more convenient to access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Nokia G42 has better screen protection, being more scratch resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Geomagnetic, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Samsung Galaxy A42 5G has the same sensors as Nokia G42 but with an additional Geomagnetic sensor, which would aid in directional accuracy in different use cases. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED screen provides much better picture quality with deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark mode enabled.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher resolution front camera, wide-angle, portrait and macro lenses, plus 4K video and better slow-motion capabilities make this better for those who use their phone for photos and videos.
- Potentially Better Multitasking: Offers a higher RAM option (8GB), suitable for intensive use, particularly with the higher level Snapdragon chipset.
- Dual SIM Support: Useful for users who need separate work and personal numbers.
- Wider Variety of Sensors Has additional Geomagnetic sensor for more accurate location and motion tracking.
Nokia G42 Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 (and guaranteed update to Android 14) for longer software support.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel more fluid.
- Faster Charging: 20W charging is faster than Samsung's 15W, meaning less time plugged in.
- More Convenient Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is typically more comfortable and accessible for unlocking the phone.
- Better screen protection Features Gorilla Glass 3 screen for more resistance to scratches.
- Better Audio Quality Has 2 microphones which may improve noise cancellation during calls.
- Newer WiFi: Supports WiFi 6 for faster speeds and lower latency.
- Newer Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.1 for lower energy consumption and better connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung: Has an older operating system out of the box, and lacks a fast-refresh rate display. Has more camera features but the primary lens is slightly less high resolution.
- Nokia: Features an inferior display, lacking an AMOLED panel and only having a single-sim design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A42 5G:
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or play games will benefit from the AMOLED display.
- Mobile Photographers: Users who prioritize camera quality and flexibility (wide angle, better selfie camera) will appreciate the better camera features and video capabilities.
- Power Users: Those who like to multitask, play graphically intense games, and switch between apps quickly, and who can benefit from the 8GB option.
- Frequent Travelers/Dual SIM Users: People who need a second SIM card for calls or data.
Ideal User for Nokia G42:
- Budget Conscious Users: Those who want a good phone at a more affordable price.
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize a modern operating system, and a more convenient unlocking method.
- Smooth Scrolling Enthusiasts: People who appreciate the smoothness of a 90Hz display for everyday use.
- Environmentally Conscious Users: Those who don't require all the extra features in Samsung's Camera and appreciate the longer software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (AMOLED vs. IPS LCD, refresh rate)
- How often do you use your phone for photos and videos? (Camera flexibility and quality)
- Do you need the latest software and extended support? (OS versions)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a multimedia enthusiast who also uses the camera heavily and wants dual SIM: The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is a better choice due to its superior display and camera features as well as dual-sim support.
- If you prefer a newer operating system, smoother display, and value faster charging: The Nokia G42 offers a more modern, smooth experience, with better software support.
- If you value durability and protection: The Nokia G42 has Gorilla Glass 3 protection for better scratch resistance.
- If you are on a strict budget but want a good all-rounder: The Nokia G42 represents a good value proposition and has a better refresh rate and charging speeds than the A42.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G, despite it being the older phone. The superior AMOLED display is a significant factor for me, as I consume a lot of media on my phone, and the richer colors and deeper blacks will make a real difference to my viewing experience. While I do appreciate the faster refresh rate of the Nokia G42, the difference in display tech is more noticeable than the difference between 60Hz and 90Hz. The better camera system and 4K video capability of the A42 are also highly important to me, as I often use my phone to capture photos and videos on the go, and the wide-angle capabilities as well as the improved front-facing camera make it a more versatile shooter.
While the Nokia G42 is certainly the more modern phone, with better software support and faster charging, the display on the A42 is a key factor that would sway my decision, and is worth the trade-off of having an older operating system and having the inconvenience of not having a fast refresh rate. The A42 is also more feature-rich on the camera front. Furthermore, the added Geomagnetic sensor on the A42 might prove useful for specific use-cases which require directional accuracy. I value these features more highly than the slightly faster charging and newer operating system of the Nokia G42, and the superior display and camera system ultimately gives the Galaxy A42 a slight edge for my specific use case.
