What Makes the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Worth Buying?
The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G made a strong case for itself when it arrived in November 2020 as one of the most affordable 5G smartphones with a Super AMOLED display at the time. That combination — a vivid OLED panel, next-generation network support, and a 5,000 mAh battery — at a mid-range price was genuinely compelling. For buyers stepping into 5G for the first time without wanting to pay flagship money, the A42 5G offered a practical entry point backed by Samsung’s ecosystem.
The Super AMOLED panel is the feature that immediately separates the A42 5G from most phones in its price range. AMOLED technology delivers deeper blacks, more vivid colors, and better outdoor visibility than the IPS LCD screens commonly found on budget and mid-range devices. At 6.6 inches across with an 84.3% screen-to-body ratio, it’s a genuinely immersive display for streaming, social media, and gaming — even if the 720 x 1600 resolution means pixel density sits at 266 ppi rather than Full HD sharpness.
The Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset is a real performer for its class. Built on 8nm with two Kryo 570 cores at 2.2 GHz and six efficiency cores at 1.8 GHz, it handles everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking well above what entry-level chips manage. The Adreno 619 GPU is capable enough for popular mobile games at reasonable settings. RAM configurations go up to 8GB, giving the phone headroom for heavy multitasking without the slowdowns that 4GB devices often show under pressure.
Camera versatility is another highlight. The quad-camera rear system leads with a 48 MP main sensor (1/2.0″, f/1.8, PDAF) supported by an 8 MP 123-degree ultrawide, a 5 MP macro lens, and an auxiliary lens. The 20 MP selfie camera with a 1/2.78″ sensor and HDR support is one of the better front cameras found at this price tier. Video recording reaches 4K at 30fps on the rear — a spec that many budget phones simply don’t offer.
- Display: 6.6″ Super AMOLED — vivid colors and deep blacks at a mid-range price
- 5G:Â Snapdragon 750G 5G for future-ready connectivity
- Battery: 5,000 mAh — comfortably lasts a full day of heavy use
- Rear Cameras:Â 48 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 5 MP macro + auxiliary lens
- Video: 4K@30fps rear recording — uncommon at this price point
- Selfie Camera:Â 20 MP with HDR support
- Under-Display Fingerprint:Â Optical in-display sensor for a clean, buttonless look
- NFC:Â Contactless payment support included
- Headphone Jack:Â 3.5mm retained alongside USB-C
Things to Know Before Choosing the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
The display resolution is the most commonly cited limitation of the A42 5G, and it’s worth addressing directly. At 720 x 1600 pixels on a 6.6-inch screen, the pixel density lands at 266 ppi — noticeably softer than Full HD+ displays on competing phones. Text can appear slightly fuzzy at normal reading distances, and fine detail in photos or video isn’t rendered as sharply as it would be on a 1080p panel. For users who spend a lot of time reading, editing photos, or watching high-resolution content, this is a genuine trade-off.
The microSDXC slot uses a shared SIM tray, meaning dual SIM operation and expanded storage cannot be used simultaneously. Buyers who rely on two SIM cards and also need more than 128GB of storage will find this a real constraint — they’ll have to choose one or the other. Given that 128GB is the only available storage configuration, and a portion of that is consumed by the OS and pre-installed apps, this limitation affects practical storage planning.
The phone launched on Android 10 and was updated to Android 13 with One UI 5 — three major Android upgrades, which is solid by mid-range standards. However, as a 2020 device, active security patch updates from Samsung have concluded. Buyers considering a used unit should factor in the aging software support timeline.
The optical under-display fingerprint scanner is functional but slower than side-mounted or rear capacitive sensors — a characteristic of optical in-display technology in this era. Users who unlock their phones dozens of times a day will notice occasional delays. The 15W wired charging speed is also on the conservative side; fully charging the 5,000 mAh battery takes a couple of hours, which is fine for overnight charging but slow for quick top-ups mid-day. There’s no wireless charging option.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Right for You?
The A42 5G was designed to bring 5G and a premium display experience to buyers who couldn’t or didn’t want to spend flagship prices. Four years on, it still holds up well as a used device for the right person.
Budget-conscious buyers who want a 5G-capable phone with a genuinely good AMOLED screen will find the A42 5G offers real value on the secondhand market. The Snapdragon 750G has aged gracefully for everyday tasks, and the Super AMOLED panel still competes favorably with LCD screens on newer budget devices.
Media consumers and social media users will appreciate the 6.6-inch AMOLED display for streaming video, browsing Instagram or TikTok, and casual gaming. The screen’s color vibrancy makes visual content pop in a way LCD alternatives simply can’t match at the same price range.
Casual photographers who want versatility beyond a single lens will find the quad-camera system useful day-to-day. The 48 MP main camera handles portrait shots and landscapes well in good light, the ultrawide covers group photos and architecture, and 4K video recording gives meaningful quality for social sharing and memory-keeping.
The A42 5G is less compelling for power users who need maximum processing speed, dedicated gamers who push GPU-intensive titles at high settings, or anyone prioritizing a crisp, sharp display for detailed work. Students on a strict budget comparing it to newer budget phones may also find more updated software support in a 2023 or 2024 mid-range device.
Best Alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
For buyers evaluating similar or adjacent options, these alternatives cover different priorities within the same general category:
- Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: The more refined successor with a Full HD+ Super AMOLED display, an improved 64 MP camera, a more powerful chipset, and Android 14 support — the natural upgrade path for A42 5G fans who want more resolution and longevity.
- Samsung Galaxy A34 5G: A strong mid-range option with Super AMOLED, 120Hz refresh, and a capable camera system at a competitive price — better camera performance and smoother display for buyers who can stretch the budget.
- Motorola Moto G 5G Plus: A comparably priced 5G option from 2020 with a 90Hz LCD — solid performance but without the AMOLED advantage of the A42.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G: A compelling alternative for camera-focused buyers with a 108 MP main sensor, 67W fast charging, and AMOLED display — stronger on charging speed and camera resolution if those matter most.
Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G have a good display?
The Galaxy A42 5G features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, which delivers noticeably richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast than the IPS LCD screens found on many competing budget and mid-range phones. The main limitation is the 720 x 1600 resolution (~266 ppi), which makes it softer than Full HD+ AMOLED panels. For media consumption, social media, and general use, the AMOLED quality more than compensates — the vibrancy difference is visible immediately in real-world use. For users who read a lot of fine text or edit photos, the lower pixel density is a genuine consideration.
What is the latest Android version the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G supports?
The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G was upgraded to Android 13 with One UI 5, which is the final major OS version Samsung provided for the device. It launched on Android 10 and received three major Android updates — a solid support record for a mid-range phone. Active security patch support from Samsung has since concluded given the device’s age, so buyers considering a used unit should keep the software timeline in mind.
Can the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G record 4K video?
Yes. The Galaxy A42 5G supports 4K video recording at 30fps on the rear camera system, alongside 1080p at 30fps and 720p at an impressive 480fps for slow-motion capture. This is a meaningful feature for a phone in its price class — many budget and lower mid-range devices cap out at 1080p. The front camera records at 1080p 30fps with HDR support. 4K footage from the 48 MP main sensor is suitable for social media, travel memories, and casual video projects.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G support NFC and contactless payments?
Yes. The Galaxy A42 5G includes NFC, enabling contactless payments through compatible apps like Google Pay, as well as NFC tag reading and device pairing. Combined with the under-display fingerprint sensor for authentication, tap-to-pay works smoothly for everyday transactions. NFC was not universally offered on mid-range 5G devices at this price point when the A42 launched, making it a notable inclusion.
How long does the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G battery last?
The 5,000 mAh battery is generously sized and capable of powering through a full day of heavy use — streaming, social media, navigation, and calls — with charge to spare for many users. Light to moderate users will often see a day and a half between charges. The 15W wired charging speed is functional but not fast; a full charge from empty takes approximately two hours. There is no wireless charging support on the A42 5G.