Samsung Galaxy A42 5G

Design and Build

Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is a mid-range smartphone that was released in November 2020. It has a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display enclosed in a plastic body with smooth curved edges. The phone is 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm in size and weighs 193 g. It comes in Prism Dot Black, Prism Dot White, and Prism Dot Grey. The smartphone is equipped with an in-display optical fingerprint sensor, volume and power buttons, and a USB-C port, however, it is not officially water or dust resistant.

• Plastic chassis with curved edges
• In-display optical fingerprint sensor
• USB‑C port, no 3.5mm headphone jack
• Available in Prism Dot Black, White, Grey
• No IP‑rating for water/dust resistance

Display

The smartphone comes with a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-U display that offers an HD+ resolution of 1600 x 720 at 266 ppi. It produces vibrant colors and deep blacks, supported by a 60 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 700 nits. This makes it suitable for both everyday use and multimedia viewing. Many users appreciate its strong brightness outdoors, noting that the screen remains clear and easy to view even in direct sunlight. The display also enhances the overall experience when watching videos, scrolling through social media, or browsing the web, providing a more immersive feel for different types of content.

• 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel, HD+ (1600×720)
• 266 PPI pixel density
• 60 Hz refresh rate
• In-display fingerprint area
• Bright and vivid colours

Performance and Software

The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G runs Android 10 (One UI 2.5) upgradable to Android 13 and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, and it comes with 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage with microSD expansion. The chipset and RAM really make daily use, light gaming, and multitasking with smooth 5G connection a breeze. The users focus on its consistent performance but also point out that it is not designed for intensive gaming.

• Snapdragon 750G (8nm)
• RAM: 4/6/8 GB; storage: 128 GB + microSD
• Up to Android 13 with One UI 5.1
• 5G support (sub‑6 GHz)
• Ideal for daily use and browsing

Camera System

The Galaxy A42 5G comes with a quad-camera system that has a main 48 MP lens (f/1.8) sensor, an 8 MP ultrawide (123°), a 5 MP macro, and a 5 MP depth sensor. The 20 MP front camera allows Live Focus for selfies. It captures 4K rear video at 30 fps. Users say the camera is versatile for everyday shots, however, the performance in low-light is just average.

• Rear: 48 MP + 8 MP ultrawide + 5 MP macro + 5 MP depth
• Front: 20 MP selfie camera
• 4K 30fps video recording
• Live Focus and Night Mode support
• Good daylight performance, average low-light

Battery and Charging

The Galaxy A42 5G comes equipped with a powerful 5,000 mAh battery that delivers impressive endurance, often lasting up to two full days with moderate use. It supports 15 W fast charging through a USB-C connection, which allows the device to reach around 50 percent capacity in roughly 30 to 35 minutes. While many users appreciate the long-lasting battery life and the convenience it provides, they also note that the charging speed feels slower compared to newer models that support higher wattage. This balance between excellent battery duration and relatively modest charging performance makes the phone reliable for extended daily use, though not the fastest option for those seeking quick top-ups.

• 5,000 mAh non-removable battery
• 15 W fast charging via USB‑C
• ~2 days of typical battery life
• 50% charge in 30–35 minutes
• No wireless charging

Connectivity

The Galaxy A42 5G comes equipped with a wide range of connectivity features that enhance everyday use. It supports Wi-Fi 5 for stable wireless internet, Bluetooth 5.0 for fast and reliable pairing with accessories, and GPS/GLONASS for accurate location tracking. The phone also includes NFC functionality, making it convenient for contactless payments and quick device pairing. With support for sub-6 GHz 5G networks, it delivers faster data speeds and smoother performance for streaming, browsing, and online gaming. In terms of physical connections, the device offers a USB-C port for charging and data transfer while also retaining the traditional 3.5 mm headphone jack, a feature many users still value. Overall, users appreciate the strong connectivity options and the inclusion of the headphone jack, which provides flexibility for both modern wireless accessories and wired audio devices.

• Wi‑Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Sub‑6 GHz 5G, LTE, 3G, 2G
• NFC and GPS support
• USB‑C and headphone jack included