Samsung Galaxy A42 5G Falls Short: Lackluster Cameras, Sluggish Performance, and Low-Resolution Display
Introduction:
The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G, introduced globally in 2020 but recently arriving in the US market, fails to make a compelling case for itself. Positioned between the Galaxy A32 5G and A52 5G, the Galaxy A42 5G comes with millimeter-wave 5G connectivity and decent battery life.
However, its underwhelming cameras, sluggish performance, and low-resolution display overshadow its positive aspects. In a market where better alternatives are available at similar price points, the Galaxy A42 struggles to stand out.
Design and Display:
Unlike Samsung's other 2021 A-series models, the Galaxy A42 lacks a sophisticated design, opting for a glossy and curvy back panel similar to the previous year's Galaxy A51. The design, though bold, accumulates smudges and scratches easily due to its high-gloss finish. The phone's 6.6-inch AMOLED display boasts vivid colors but suffers from noticeable pixelation due to its low resolution, affecting overall visual quality.
Camera Performance:
Samsung, known for its impressive smartphone cameras, disappoints with the Galaxy A42. The phone features a rear camera stack with a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor.
These specifications are underwhelming for a device in its price range.
While the primary lens captures decent shots in good lighting conditions, it struggles with background detail and color accuracy. Ultrawide shots suffer from distortion and noise reduction issues, while low-light performance results in blurred photos.
Performance and Battery Life:
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chip and 4GB of RAM, the Galaxy A42 falls behind competitors like the Google Pixel 5a and even the Galaxy A32 in terms of performance.
The phone experiences delays when opening apps and navigating between screens. Gaming performance is subpar, with slow loading times and occasional frame skipping.
Benchmarks show performance comparable to other devices with similar hardware, but real-world usage reveals noticeable sluggishness.
Software and Updates:
The Galaxy A42 ships with Android 11 and Samsung's One UI 3.1. While the integration of Microsoft services is a positive addition, it falls short of the seamless ecosystem found in iOS and macOS. Samsung promises two years of OS upgrades and four years of security patches, though users might experience delays compared to Google's Pixel devices.
Conclusion:
Despite offering millimeter-wave 5G connectivity and respectable battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G fails to justify its $400 price tag. Weak cameras, sluggish performance, and a low-resolution display detract from its potential.
Better alternatives are available, such as the Google Pixel 5a with 5G and Samsung's own Galaxy A32 5G, which offer superior features and value for their respective prices.
The Galaxy A42's shortcomings make it difficult to recommend, especially when competing options outshine its performance and capabilities.
