Nokia 42 Review Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Design and Build Quality

The Nokia 4.2 boasts a sleek and modern design, featuring a glass front and back with a plastic frame that gives it a sturdy yet sophisticated appearance. Measuring 149 x 71.3 x 8.4 mm and weighing 161 grams, it’s a compact device that fits comfortably in the hand. The dual SIM functionality, allowing for two Nano-SIMs in standby mode, makes it a versatile choice for users needing separate work and personal lines.

Display

The Nokia 4.2 comes with a 5.71-inch IPS LCD display, offering a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels and a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 76.6%. This translates to a pixel density of around 295 ppi, ensuring vibrant visuals and a pleasant viewing experience for videos, games, and day-to-day use. The display’s tall 19:9 aspect ratio makes it particularly enjoyable for scroll-based apps like Instagram and Twitter.

Camera Performance

The phone features a dual rear camera setup with a 13 MP primary sensor and a secondary 2 MP depth sensor. The primary camera with an aperture of f/2.2 ensures decent performance in well-lit conditions, capturing detailed and sharp images. The inclusion of an LED flash assists in low-light environments. Additionally, video recording is supported at 1080p@30fps, which is more than adequate for casual video recording.

The front-facing 8 MP camera, equipped with an f/2.0 aperture, allows for quality selfies, while also supporting 1080p video recording at 30fps. This combination of front and rear cameras makes the Nokia 4.2 a solid choice for photography enthusiasts on a budget.

Hardware and Performance

Under the hood, the Nokia 4.2 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chipset built on a 12 nm process. The octa-core processor, consisting of four 1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and four 1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, offers a balance between performance and power efficiency. The Adreno 505 GPU supplements the CPU in handling graphics-intensive tasks.

The device comes in two configurations: 2GB of RAM with 16GB of internal storage, and 3GB of RAM with 32GB of internal storage. Both variants support storage expansion via a dedicated microSD slot, enhancing the device’s flexibility in terms of storage capacity.

Software and Features

Running on Android 9.0 out-of-the-box, the Nokia 4.2 is part of the Android One program, which guarantees timely updates and a clean Android experience. Users can upgrade to Android 11, benefiting from newer features and security updates. Android One ensures an uncluttered user interface devoid of bloatware, promoting smoother performance.

Features such as Google Assistant, accessed through a dedicated button, and comprehensive security measures, including a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, and proximity sensor, enhance the user experience.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery, which provides adequate battery life for moderate usage throughout a typical day. While not the largest capacity battery in its class, the efficient chipset and software optimizations help maintain decent longevity.

Connectivity and Network

The Nokia 4.2 supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, ensuring broad compatibility with most global networks. It offers LTE Cat4 speeds, with download speeds up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX, NFC (market dependent), FM radio, and microUSB 2.0 with OTG support.

Positioning is supported via GPS, GLONASS, and BDS, facilitating accurate navigation and location-based services.

Market Position and Price

The Nokia 4.2 is available in colors like Black and Pink Sand, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences. Priced at approximately 130 EUR, it stands as an affordable option in the crowded budget smartphone market, offering respectable specifications and the assurance of the Nokia brand.

Overall, the Nokia 4.2 is a commendable entry-level smartphone, providing essential features and a dependable user experience for those on a budget. It reflects Nokia’s commitment to delivering high-quality devices with a focus on design, software support, and user satisfaction.