Nokia G42 5G review, the company’s most sustainable smartphone, now also repairable in complete autonomy!
Full review of the latest Nokia smartphone, from 2016 under the brand HMD Globalwhich brings with it a simple design but well accentuated by the exclusive ‘So Purple’ colourway. Nokia G42 5G embodies all the experience in the sector of the historic brand, accompanied by the fluidity and responsiveness of the stock software Android One. Let’s find out in the full review!
Technical sheet | Nokia G42 5G review
- Display: 6,56″ AMOLED, 90Hz, 450 nits, 560 nits (max), 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- SoCQualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm), Octa-core (2×2.2GHz Kryo460 & 6×1.8GHz Kryo460)
- GPU: Adreno 619
- RAM: 4/6GB
- Internal memory: 128GB
- Rear cameras: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS – 2 MP (macro) – 2 MP (profondità)
- Front camera: 8 MP
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NFC, FM radio, RDS, USB Type-C 2.0
- Drums: 5,000 mAh with support for 20W wired fast charging
- Dimensions: 165 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm
- Weight: 194g
- Other: side fingerprint reader, dual-sim, 3.5mm audio jack
- Operating system: Android 13 con Android One
Packaging, build quality and materials | Nokia G42 5G review
The design of the smartphone is quite standard, nothing really innovative, however what is most surprising is the choice of color: a very bright purple called ‘So Purple’ by the company. The sales package of the smartphone is also essential (we point out again the absence of the power supply). Nokia G42 5G frontally presents a large 6.56″ panel protected by a now ancient Corning Gorilla Glass 3, while on the back, as well as on the edges, a moderate quality polycarbonate shell which also guarantees a remarkable solidity to the product. Despite the latter, the smartphone is not too light, we are talking about 194g.
The front camera is set in a little intrusive drip notchwhich among other things will also allow it 2D face unlock (rather accurate and reliable). However, the main unlocking method will remain the one with a fingerprint on the right side of the smartphone, snappy and secure. Small note of demerit for the presence of rather massive edges, especially in the lower part of the display, as can be seen from the image below. Finally, on the lower left side, the comfortable jack audio da 3,5mmalways welcome.
Hardware, connectivity and displays | Nokia G42 5G review
The beating heart of this Nokia G42 5G is the SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G assisted by GPU Adreno 619, 4GB RAM and 128GB ROM. It is a processor that is certainly not too performing on paper, but which thanks to the excellent combination of hardware / software manages to run this device very well. Furthermore, the performances are also accentuated by the excellent fluidity guaranteed by the 90Hz. Too bad for the RAM instead, 4GB starts to be a bit tight in 2023. The rest of the connectivity is then of a good standard, thanks to the presence of Bluetooth 5.1, support for aptX audio codecs and the addition of FM radio.
The telephone sector of this Nokia G42 5G is also of a good standard, with excellent audio in the capsule and respectable reception. Turning to multimedia, the smartphone offers a large panel from 6,56″ IPS LCD with resolution HD+ e refresh rate a 90Hz. The quality of the screen is nothing exciting, but at the same time it reflects the price range at which it is offered, perhaps something more could have been done in terms of resolution. The vibration is also discreet, short but not very incisive, which gives it that cheap feeling. Finally, the speaker stands on similar levels, sufficient for daily use, with a sound not too loud and which tends to distort at higher volumes.
Cameras | Nokia G42 5G review
The photographic sector of the G42 is in line with what we are now used to seeing in this price range. The smartphone therefore offers a 3-sensor solution, the main one from 50 Megapixelthe secondary dedicated to macros from 2 Megapixel and one used to measure the 2MP depth. As you can see from the shots, in good light conditions the smartphone gets along very well and with colors that are quite faithful to reality, a pity that the same cannot be said of the other two sensors, which are almost exclusively useful for making up the number. also goodHDR, which can apply a nice contrast to images. Things, predictably, change as the light goes down, bringing artifacts and a certain noise compensated only by thegreat night mode. Similar results also for videos, where, however, the absence of an optical stabilizer and a night mode (available only for photos) are felt. Absent the ability to record video in 4K due to limitations due to the Qualcomm processor.
Software and autonomy | Nokia G42 5G review
The battery of this Nokia G42 5G stands at 5000mAh, a rather high number, which combined with the not too energy-intensive SoC translates into an autonomy of at least two full days. Naturally everything depends on how you use it, but in standard conditions, therefore in Wi-Fi/4G, with social use and by taking some photos you will have no problems reaching the 6/7 hours of screen on. A result, the latter, also due to the lean software installed on the device. Too bad only for the recharge, limited to 20 Wattand for the absence of the power supply in the package.
We find on board Android in versione 13 devoid of any customization (except for some pre-installed, but easily removable apps), complete with all the goodies related to the Material You. There are no bugs of any kind and everything always runs as expected. Furthermore, speaking of software, Nokia guarantees two years of updates for this device for the version of the green robot.
Price and final considerations
Nokia G42 5G is a product that aims to the point, efficient for any type of use, with avery good autonomy and above average performance. It gets lost a bit in multimedia, due to a display not too bright and a just enough mono speaker. However, it refers to the list price, only € 249.99, a price absolutely in line with what is offered. You can buy it on Amazon through the box below or on the official website of HMD Global. Before saying goodbye, we invite you to follow the mobile section of TechGameWorld.com for further news and video reviews. See you soon!
Plus points
- Performance
- Software
- Autonomy
- Connectivity
Points against
- Display
- Secondary cameras