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Even with these differences, performance is mostly the same across all the devices that we’ve used here for comparison. In practical terms, I found the G42 5G to be efficient enough with opening and switching between apps, and was able to run multiple apps simultaneously without any drastic lagging. When it comes to battery life, things are promising. With a 720p screen, a low-power processor and a large 5,000mAh battery, the Nokia G42 has all of the ingredients necessary for a strong showing. The camera bulge on the G42 is the same ‘50MP AI camera’ cluster that we’ve seen on Nokia phones since 2022’s G21. It produces nicely warm images, and the main camera is generally fine, though nothing special. It’s best in good light, where there's a nice amount of detail and colour to be found in its snaps. Darken things down a bit and you start to get smearing. Maybe in future we will see pink, yellow or another Lumia mainstay, red, return, but for the moment the Nokia G42 represents a little whimsy in a world ruled by monochromatics. The G42 also comes in ‘So Grey’, but that seems beside the point.
Next up is the Generic Case for Nokia G42 5G. The inner surface of this case adopts a soft TPU design, thin and durable. The outer surface of the protective shell adopts a textured design and non-slip and scratch-resistant material design which does not fade. The four corners strengthen the protection design. The protective shell is higher than the screen and camera, which can protect the phone more effectively. It’s certainly a responsive phone. We were never left waiting for an egregiously long time for an app to open. Battery life is a harder thing to quantify, however, as the standard test we use to compare phones wouldn’t run. The longest we managed to keep it going for was about six hours, which took it down to around 50%. Nokia claims three days of use from a charge, and as long as your usage is light and you make careful use of the battery-saver mode that turns off things like 5G and location services, then that’s not out of the question. The 3-day battery testing was conducted using a real-life usage test by HMD Global. The test included active usage of a device for 5 hours per day with a new battery. Usage included e.g. gaming, video streaming, calling, sending SMS, browsing and using apps (such as social media, news, navigation and music). The test was conducted with normal device settings in a lit indoor environment. The device was left on standby overnight. I wasn’t able to test this personally, but the fact that it is offered is a real rarity on the market. At a time when e-waste is becoming an ever bigger issue, the ability to easily give a broken device a new lease of life is more valuable than ever. The rear of the phone is also constructed from 65% recycled materials.
Communication, software and operation - Modern mobile communications on board
It says more about the state of the phone market than the phone itself, but the fact that the Nokia G42 is purple is enough to make it notable. Coming to the display, compared to the competition it has some interesting downgrades. Its refresh rate is fast enough at 90Hz (though some of the competition are offering 120Hz) but its resolution, at 720p, is a little low. Full HD, or 1080p, has been the mainstay on most smartphones since at least 2018, offering a balance between resolution and power requirements. The picture becomes a little muddier when it comes to the issue of fast charging. Thankfully it can fast charge, but at only 20W it is slower than the likes of Realme, Xiaomi and others offer even at a lower price point. The Nokia G42 5G is still on a par with the Moto G53 5G and the Nokia G50, but as with those two, keep expectations low here. You can get away with low-intensity games such as Candy Crush and Angry Birds easily enough, but the G42 5G is not made for seamless 3D gameplay. Compared to the Nokia G50, the G42 5G has had a minor shuffle in the camera department. The main lens has dropped slightly from a 50MP number to 48MP, though the aperture has stayed put at f/1.8.
Next, we have the YZKJSZ Case for Nokia G42 5G. Made from environmentally-friendly plastic with an ultra-thin design, it offers a lightweight and non-bulky feel. The precise holes in the case ensure a perfect fit for the phone’s volume buttons and wake/sleep function, and all ports and connections remain accessible without removing the case. The raised edges and four-corner gasbag design protect the phone from scratches and collisions in case of accidental drops. For everyday use, Nokia's G42 is a cheap and reliable companion that should get long updates and can also be used sustainably due to its relatively easy repairability.
The Nokia G42 5G is well-specced for a £200 phone, but the brand still hasn’t nailed the synergy between repairability and software support
None of this puts the G42 at a disadvantage against the competition, which have their own issues, but this is a phone with a passable camera (improvable with software), not a great one. Performance Our selection of Nokia G42 covers all offer excellent protection at a cheap price without compromising on style or usability. Whether you are looking for a heavy duty cover to protect your device, or something more subtle to enhance your phone we have a wide selection of colourful Nokia G42 covers that will fit your needs. Our range of Nokia G42 covers are available in a wide range of colours and designs making them the perfect present for any mobile phone aficionado.
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