Samsung Galaxy A42 5G

Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Review: A Solid Mid-Ranger with a Few Quirks

I've spent the better part of the last few weeks putting the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G through its paces, and it's been an interesting experience. At a price point that sits firmly in the mid-range, this phone is clearly aimed at those who want 5G connectivity and a reliable daily driver without breaking the bank. My testing involved everything from casual browsing and media consumption to a few rounds of demanding games, and I've come away with a pretty clear picture of its strengths and weaknesses.

Market Context: Finding Its Place

The Galaxy A42 5G arrived at a time when 5G was becoming increasingly accessible, and Samsung was keen to offer that connectivity at a more palatable price. From my perspective, it felt like a strategic move to capture a wider audience who were curious about the faster network speeds but weren't ready to shell out flagship money. The pricing certainly reflects this ambition, placing it in direct competition with other capable mid-range contenders. It's a space where compromise is key, and the A42 5G makes some deliberate choices in where it focuses its strengths.

Design & Hardware: A Familiar Feel

Picking up the Galaxy A42 5G, the first thing I noticed was its size. The 6.6-inch display makes it a sizable phone, and at 193 grams, it definitely has a bit of heft. Personally, I appreciate the solid feel; it gives a sense of durability, though I can see how some might find it a tad on the heavier side. The glossy plastic back is, as expected, a magnet for fingerprints. Within minutes of unboxing, I was reaching for a case – a necessary addition for anyone who dislikes constantly wiping down their phone. The black color option I tested is understated, but I have to admit the other "Prism Dot" finishes look far more interesting and eye-catching. While it doesn't scream premium, the build feels solid enough for everyday use. It's not waterproof, which is a point to consider, but for general durability, it seems adequately built for the price.

Display: Where the A42 5G Shines

The 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this phone. While the 720 x 1600 resolution isn't the sharpest you'll find, the vibrancy and deep blacks that AMOLED panels are known for are definitely present. In my testing, colors popped beautifully, making everything from scrolling through social media feeds to watching videos a pleasant experience. Viewing angles are excellent, meaning sharing content with someone next to you isn't an issue. I spent a good amount of time watching YouTube and even a couple of movies, and the display held up admirably. While gamers might crave a higher refresh rate, for everyday media consumption and browsing, it's a genuinely enjoyable screen. The inclusion of an always-on display is a handy feature for quickly checking the time and notifications, though I didn't find myself relying on it excessively.

Performance: Smooth Sailing for Most Tasks

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 750G processor handles everyday tasks with ease. In my experience, navigating the interface, browsing the web, and using social media apps felt smooth and responsive. While I'm not a hardcore mobile gamer, I did put the A42 5G through its paces with some graphically intensive titles. It handled them surprisingly well, with only occasional minor frame drops in the most demanding scenes. For the average user, who might play casual games or dabble in something more intense occasionally, the performance is more than adequate. Multitasking was also generally smooth, though with the 4GB of RAM in my test unit, I could occasionally notice apps needing to reload when switching back and forth frequently. Opting for the 6GB or 8GB RAM variants would likely provide a noticeably smoother multitasking experience. Temperature management seemed decent; even during extended gaming sessions, the phone didn't get uncomfortably hot.

Camera System: Versatility Without Being Top-Tier

The camera setup on the Galaxy A42 5G is quite versatile, offering a 48MP main sensor, a 5MP ultrawide, a 5MP depth sensor for portrait mode, and a 5MP macro lens. In my experience, the main camera performs admirably in good lighting conditions, producing detailed and vibrant photos. I took some outdoor shots on a sunny day, and the results were pleasing, with good color reproduction. The ultrawide lens is useful for capturing broader scenes, though the image quality isn't quite as impressive as the main sensor. Portrait mode does a decent job of separating the subject from the background, although edge detection isn't always perfect. The macro lens is a fun addition for getting close-up shots, but like many macro lenses in this price range, it requires very steady hands and good lighting to get truly sharp results. The 20MP front-facing camera takes respectable selfies, and there are some software enhancements to play with, if that's your thing. Video recording goes up to 4K at 30fps, which is a welcome feature and produces clear footage. Overall, the camera system is capable and provides plenty of options for different shooting scenarios, but it's not going to challenge the top-tier camera phones in terms of overall image quality or low-light performance.

Battery & Charging: Endurance Champ

Battery life is a major strength of the Galaxy A42 5G. The large 5000mAh battery easily got me through a full day of moderate to heavy use, including social media, browsing, calls, and some video streaming. On lighter usage days, I could even stretch it into a second day, which is a significant plus. The inclusion of 15W fast charging is adequate, but it's not the fastest you'll find in this segment. In my testing, a full charge took a couple of hours, which is acceptable but not blazing fast. The phone's power management seems efficient, contributing to its impressive battery endurance.

Software: A Familiar Samsung Experience

The Galaxy A42 5G launched with Android 10 and has since been updated to Android 13, which is good news for longevity and access to the latest features. Samsung's One UI on top of Android provides a familiar and generally user-friendly experience. I found the interface intuitive to navigate, and there are plenty of customization options. The inclusion of NFC for contactless payments is a welcome addition. The under-display fingerprint sensor is present, and while it wasn't the snappiest I've used, it became more reliable with consistent use.

Value Analysis: Striking a Balance

The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G occupies an interesting space in the market. For its price, you get a reliable phone with 5G connectivity, a vibrant AMOLED display, impressive battery life, and capable performance for everyday tasks. However, it's important to acknowledge the compromises. The display resolution isn't the sharpest, the charging speed is relatively slow, and the camera system, while versatile, doesn't match the quality of higher-end devices. I think this phone is a solid option for those who prioritize battery life, a good screen for media consumption, and future-proof 5G connectivity without needing flagship-level performance or camera capabilities. If you're a photography enthusiast or a hardcore mobile gamer, you might want to look elsewhere. However, for the average user seeking a dependable mid-ranger, the A42 5G offers a compelling package.

Conclusion: A Dependable Mid-Range Contender

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is a solid and dependable mid-range smartphone. It's not a phone that will blow you away with cutting-edge features, but it gets the fundamentals right. The excellent battery life and vibrant display are its standout features, and the performance is more than adequate for most users. If you're looking for a 5G-capable phone that won't break the bank and can comfortably handle your daily tasks, the Galaxy A42 5G is definitely worth considering. It strikes a good balance between features and price, making it a sensible choice in the competitive mid-range market.