Nokia G42 5G review: Budget-friendly 5G phone with 5000mAh battery, 90Hz display, Snapdragon 480+, & repairable design. Best under ₹15,000?

by

Introduction

The Nokia G42 5G is a budget-friendly yet powerful smartphone that brings 5G connectivity, long battery life, and a user-repairable design to the masses. Designed for users who want a durable, future-proof, and eco-conscious device, the Nokia G42 5G stands out with its Snapdragon processor, 90Hz display, and clean Android experience.

In this in-depth review, we’ll explore every aspect of the Nokia G42 5G, from its performance and camera capabilities to its repairability and software support, helping you decide if this is the right smartphone for you.

Nokia G42 5g mobile Review
Nokia G42 5g mobile Review

Nokia G42 5G – Detailed Specifications

 Design & Build Quality

  • Dimensions: 165 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm

  • Weight: 193.8g

  • Material: Polycarbonate back with a textured finish for better grip

  • Durability: IP52 rating (splash and dust resistant)

  • Colors: So Purple, So Gray

  • Repairability: Designed for easy repairs – battery, screen, and charging port can be replaced with basic tools

The Nokia G42 5G has a simple yet sturdy design, making it comfortable to hold. The repairable design is a major highlight, as it allows users to replace key components without professional help, reducing e-waste.

 Display – Smooth 90Hz Refresh Rate

  • Size: 6.56-inch IPS LCD

  • Resolution: HD+ (720 x 1612 pixels)

  • Refresh Rate: 90Hz adaptive refresh rate (adjusts based on usage)

  • Brightness: Up to 500 nits (peak)

  • Protection: Scratch-resistant glass

While the resolution is HD+ (not Full HD), the 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother. The display is bright enough for outdoor use, though it may struggle under direct sunlight.

 Performance – Snapdragon 480+ 5G Chipset

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm, Octa-core)

  • CPU: 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.2GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz

  • GPU: Adreno 619

  • RAM: 4GB / 6GB (with RAM expansion up to 6GB virtual RAM)

  • Storage: 128GB (expandable via microSD up to 1TB)

Performance Benchmarks

  • AnTuTu Score: ~350,000

  • Geekbench 5 (Single/Multi-core): ~520 / ~1600

The Snapdragon 480+ is a capable budget 5G chipset, handling daily tasks, social media, and light gaming smoothly. It can run Call of Duty Mobile & Genshin Impact at low-medium settings.

 Battery Life & Charging

  • Battery Capacity: 5000mAh (non-removable but user-replaceable)

  • Charging Speed: 20W fast charging (50% in ~45 mins)

  • Battery Life:

    • Screen-on Time (SOT): ~8-10 hours

    • Standby Time: Up to 2 days

The 5000mAh battery ensures all-day usage, even with 5G enabled. However, the 20W charging is slower compared to competitors offering 30W or 65W.

 Camera Performance

Rear Cameras (Triple Setup)

  • Main Camera: 50MP (f/1.8, PDAF) – Good daylight photos

  • Macro Camera: 2MP (f/2.4) – Basic close-up shots

  • Depth Sensor: 2MP (f/2.4) – Helps in portrait mode

Front Camera

  • 8MP (f/2.0) – Decent for selfies & video calls

Camera Features

  • Night Mode (improves low-light shots)

  • Portrait Mode (with depth effects)

  • Pro Mode (manual controls)

  • AI scene detection

Video Recording

  • 1080p at 30fps (both front & rear cameras)

  • No 4K recording (a limitation at this price)

Verdict: The 50MP main camera takes good daylight photos, but low-light performance is average. The ultra-wide and macro cameras are basic, typical for a budget phone.

 Software & Updates

  • OS: Android 13 (out of the box)

  • Upgrade Promise: 2 major OS updates (up to Android 15)

  • Security Updates: 3 years of monthly patches

  • UI: Stock Android (no bloatware)

Nokia provides one of the best software support in the budget segment, ensuring long-term usability.

 Connectivity & Additional Features

  • 5G Support: Yes (multiple bands for global compatibility)

  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)

  • Bluetooth: 5.1

  • NFC: Yes (for contactless payments)

  • USB: USB-C 2.0

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Yes

  • Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor (fast & reliable)

Nokia G42 5G – Pros 

✅ Pros

✔ Affordable 5G smartphone
✔ Long-lasting 5000mAh battery
✔ 90Hz display for smoother scrolling
✔ User-repairable design (eco-friendly)
✔ Clean Android with long-term updates
✔ 3.5mm headphone jack & NFC support

Who Should Buy the Nokia G42 5G?

  • Budget buyers who want 5G

  • Users who prefer long battery life

  • Eco-conscious consumers (repairable design)

  • Stock Android lovers (no bloatware)

  • Casual gamers & social media users

Conclusion – Is the Nokia G42 5G Worth It?

The Nokia G42 5G is a well-balanced budget 5G smartphone with strong battery life, smooth display, and a unique repairable design. While it has some compromises (HD+ screen, basic cameras, slow charging), it’s a great choice for users who prioritize durability, software updates, and 5G connectivity.

If you want a budget-friendly, future-proof, and repairable 5G phone, the Nokia G42 5G is an excellent pick.

Where to Buy?

Available on Amazon, Flipkart, Nokia’s official website, and major retailers 

 

FAQs for Nokia G42 5g mobile 

1. What are the key features of the Nokia G42 5G?

✅ 5G Connectivity – Faster speeds for downloads & streaming
✅ 5000mAh Battery – Long-lasting with 20W fast charging
✅ 90Hz Display – Smoother scrolling & gaming
✅ Repairable Design – Easy to replace battery, screen, and charging port
✅ 50MP Triple Camera – Decent photography for the price
✅ Clean Android 13 – With 2 OS updates & 3 years of security patches

2. Does the Nokia G42 5G support 5G?

Yes! The Nokia G42 5G supports multiple 5G bands, ensuring fast internet speeds and future-proof connectivity.

3. How good is the battery life on the Nokia G42 5G?

The 5000mAh battery provides:

  • 8-10 hours of screen-on time (normal usage)

  • Up to 2 days on light usage

  • 20W fast charging (50% in ~45 mins)

4. Is the Nokia G42 5G good for gaming?

The Snapdragon 480+ can handle:
✔ Casual games (Candy Crush, Subway Surfers)
✔ Medium games (Call of Duty Mobile, BGMI at low settings)
❌ Not ideal for heavy gaming (Genshin Impact at high settings)

5. Does the Nokia G42 5G have a good camera?

  • 50MP main camera → Good daylight photos

  • 2MP macro & depth sensors → Basic performance

  • 8MP selfie camera → Decent for video calls

  • No ultra-wide lens → A downside at this price

6. Is the Nokia G42 5G repairable?

Yes! Nokia designed it for easy DIY repairs:
🔧 Replaceable battery
🔧 Easy screen & charging port replacement
🔧 Reduces e-waste & extends phone life 

7. What is the display quality of the Nokia G42 5G?

  • 6.56-inch HD+ (720p) IPS LCD

  • 90Hz refresh rate (smoother than 60Hz)

  • 500 nits brightness (decent for outdoor use)

8. Does the Nokia G42 5G have a headphone jack?

Yes! It retains the 3.5mm audio jack, unlike many budget 5G phones.

9. How many years of updates will the Nokia G42 5G get?

  • 2 major Android updates (up to Android 15)

  • 3 years of security patches

  • Stock Android experience (no bloatware)

10. What are the storage and RAM options?

  • 4GB / 6GB RAM (with virtual RAM expansion)

  • 128GB internal storage (expandable via microSD up to 1TB)

11. Is the Nokia G42 5G waterproof?

It has an IP52 rating, meaning:
✔ Splash-resistant (light rain, accidental spills)
❌ Not waterproof (don’t submerge in water)

12. Does it support fast charging?

Yes, but only 20W fast charging (slower than competitors offering 30W/65W).

13. What colors does the Nokia G42 5G come in?

  • So Purple (Lavender shade)

  • So Gray (Classic gray)

14. How does the Nokia G42 5G compare to competitors like Redmi & Realme?

Feature Nokia G42 5G Redmi/Realme Alternatives
Software Clean Android (long updates) MIUI/Realme UI (bloatware)
Repairability Yes (DIY-friendly) No
5G Support Yes Yes
Charging Speed 20W 33W/65W (faster)
Display 90Hz HD+ 90Hz FHD (better)

Verdict: Nokia wins in software & repairability, while Redmi/Realme offer faster charging & better displays.

15. Where can I buy the Nokia G42 5G?

Available on:
🛒 Amazon
🛒 Flipkart
🛒 Nokia’s official website
🛒 Major retail stores

16. Is the Nokia G42 5G worth buying in 2024?

Yes, if you want:
✔ A budget 5G phone
✔ Long battery life
✔ Repairable & eco-friendly design
✔ Clean Android with updates

No, if you want:
❌ Ultra-fast charging
❌ High-end gaming performance
❌ Premium build quality 

Final Thoughts

The Nokia G42 5G is a great budget 5G phone with long battery life, smooth display, and a repairable design. While it has some compromises, it’s a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.

Still have questions? Drop them in the comments! 🚀

Thank you so much readers for visit Tattle Tody i.e.,www.tattletody.com, Tattle tody has ambition to provide a best information in very easy way that all readers can understand the language very easily. You will get information related to All Government Yojana/ Recruitment, Mobile, News, and many more very easily.

You can connect with us on our social media accounts:  Instagram, Threads, Telegram 

         🙏🙏🙏  Thank You Again 🙏🙏🙏  

Leave a Comment