Nokia G42

Design

The Nokia G42, launched on June 28, 2023, features dimensions of 165mm in height, 75.8mm in width, and 8.6mm in depth. It weighs 193.8 grams. The phone is constructed with a focus on durability, though specific materials aren't detailed beyond a 2.5D curved glass screen protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Available colors include Red, Purple, and Gray. The design includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security.

Display

The device sports a 6.56-inch IPS LCD screen with a 20:9 aspect ratio. It has a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 269 ppi. The display features a 90Hz refresh rate, with a typical brightness of 450 nits and a peak brightness of 560 nits. It does not support HDR10, HDR10+, or Dolby Vision. The display includes a waterdrop notch for the front-facing camera and offers multi-touch functionality.

Performance

The Nokia G42 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (SM4350-AC) chipset, built on an 8nm process. Its octa-core CPU consists of two 2.2 GHz Kryo 460 cores and six 1.8 GHz Kryo 460 cores. Graphics processing is handled by the Adreno 619 GPU. The device comes in two configurations: 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. There is no mention of SD card expansion. The phone achieves an Antutu v9 benchmark score of approximately 380,000.

Camera

The rear camera system includes a 50MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, a 2MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture, and a 2MP macro lens also with an f/2.4 aperture. The camera system includes LED flash, autofocus, touch focus, geotagging, panorama, HDR, and various settings for white balance, ISO, exposure, and scene modes. The front-facing selfie camera is an 8MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps. The camera lacks optical image stabilization and slow-motion video capabilities.

Battery Life

The Nokia G42 is equipped with a 5000mAh Li-Polymer battery. It supports 20W fast charging, although a charger is not included in the box. The battery is non-removable.

Software

The phone ships with Android 13 and is expected to receive an upgrade to Android 14.

Pricing

The Nokia G42 falls within the medium price range. The 6GB/128GB model is priced between approximately $142 and $240, depending on the retailer and region. The 8GB/256GB model has an approximate price around $162.

Overall Verdict

The Nokia G42 presents a mixed bag. It offers 5G connectivity, a decent battery with fast charging support, and a promise of software updates. However, its display resolution and performance, while functional, are not exceptional compared to competitors in the same price range. The camera system is basic, suitable for everyday use but lacking advanced features. The inclusion of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and the durable construction are positive aspects. The device's strength lies in its value proposition for a mid-range phone with a focus on essential functionality and longevity over cutting-edge specifications.