Samsung Galaxy F42 5G review
The Samsung Samsung Galaxy F42 5G ranks as the #654 smartphone globally, achieving a LibraScore of 47. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #651-ranked battery among 865 phones. Consider the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G or Samsung Galaxy M14 5G, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy F42 5G makes a solid first impression with its sleek design. The matte aqua color is particularly eye-catching, and the all-plastic body doesn't feel cheap or flimsy to the touch. Measuring 9mm in thickness and weighing 203 grams, the device is somewhat hefty but well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold. One of the notable aspects of the F42's design is its matte finish on the back and sides. This ensures that fingerprints are barely visible, giving the phone a premium look and feel. However, this does come at the cost of some thickness and weight. The device features a USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom, which is conveniently located for easy access. The SIM tray can hold two nano-SIM cards and a micro-SD card simultaneously, making it easy to expand storage or add a second SIM. On the side, you'll find a fingerprint scanner that works quickly and accurately, adding an extra layer of convenience. The phone's bezels are quite thick, especially the bottom chin, which may appear dated in today's design trends. However, the teardrop notch is still a relatively sleek and modern touch. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy F42 5G boasts a solid build quality that feels sturdy and premium despite its all-plastic construction. While it may not be the most visually stunning device on the market, its matte finish and well-designed features make it a compelling option for those seeking a reliable mid-ranger with a strong focus on build quality. Get your hands on Samsung Galaxy A13 5G if you're looking for better design.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy F42 5G boasts a large 5000mAh battery unit, which is expected to provide all-day power. In my experience, the device delivers on this promise, even with heavy usage. With the refresh rate set to 90Hz, I was able to squeeze over a day's battery life out of the phone. While it's not as massive as the 6000mAh batteries we've seen on previous F-series devices, the 5000mAh unit still gets the job done. The large battery paired with a relatively efficient Dimensity 700 chipset ensures that the device stays powered throughout the day. However, the bundled 15W charging adapter takes around two hours to fully charge the phone from zero to full. This might be a bit disappointing for users who need a quick top-up during their busy schedule. Nevertheless, the fact that you can get through an entire day with heavy usage is still a notable plus. Overall, the battery life on the Samsung Galaxy F42 5G is solid and reliable, making it a great option for users who prioritize all-day power without breaking the bank. Consider discovering the power of Samsung Galaxy A13 5G, featuring the latest advancements in battery.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy F42 5G boasts an impressive 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD display that's bright and vibrant, making it perfect for watching videos or browsing through your favorite apps. The screen is surrounded by a decent bezel design, with the bottom chin being slightly thicker than the rest of the phone. While the display performs well in terms of brightness, its viewing angles leave a bit to be desired. When viewed from the side, the colors start to wash out and become less vivid, which might be a concern for those who plan on watching videos or playing games on their phone while lying down. Despite this limitation, the screen is perfectly viewable in direct sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor use. However, it's worth noting that there's no support for HDR across all apps, and the Widevine L1 certification is only applicable to Netflix. The display also features a teardrop notch, which while stylish, may look a bit dated compared to some of the newer designs on the market. Bezels are quite thick, particularly at the bottom, but this doesn't seem to detract from the overall user experience. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy F42 5G's display is a solid offering in its price range, with good brightness and color accuracy. While it may not be perfect, it's more than capable of handling most everyday tasks, making it a great option for those looking for an affordable 5G smartphone. You might prefer Samsung Galaxy A23 4G, designed with an upgraded display for a better experience.
Camera
The camera system on the Samsung Galaxy F42 5G is a triple sensor array featuring a 64-megapixel primary sensor accompanied by a 5-megapixel ultra-wide and 2-megapixel depth sensor. The primary sensor produces sharp and colorful images with well-balanced HDR, characteristic of Samsung's typical style. Outdoor shots taken with the default color profile are pleasing, making for great everyday photography. One notable aspect of the camera system is the presence of an ultra-wide sensor instead of a low-resolution macro lens. While this may seem like an odd choice at first, it proves to be beneficial in capturing more expansive scenes and landscapes. Images taken with the ultra-wide sensor do come out well, but there's some lack of detail, especially towards the edges of the frame, even in brightly lit conditions. The depth sensor enables portrait mode, which produces better results outdoors than indoors. In low-light conditions, the camera performs quite well compared to other smartphones at this price point. Instead of boosting exposure and revealing grain, the post-shutter processing increases contrast and brings down highlights, resulting in a more moody and interesting image. However, there's some compromise on bright areas in low-light shots, which appear underexposed. This can be seen as a minor trade-off for the improved overall image quality. The dedicated night mode feature does an excellent job in capturing better images than expected at this price point. Video recording is another area where the Galaxy F42 5G excels. It supports 2K resolution at 30fps, which is impressive considering the competition from standard 1080p. While not as high-res as 4k, it's still a welcome upgrade for those seeking better video quality. Unfortunately, there's no option to shoot at 60fps, which might be a drawback for some users. Overall, the camera system on the Samsung Galaxy F42 5G is a solid offering that provides good image quality and impressive features like ultra-wide sensing and dedicated night mode. While it may not excel in every area, it remains competitive with other budget smartphones and promises to deliver decent results in most situations. For a superior camera, Samsung Galaxy A25 5G could be the right choice.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy F42 5G is an intriguing device that promises to deliver 5G performance at an affordable price point of ₹17,999. As I delve into the details, it's clear that this smartphone has a lot to offer for those looking for a budget-friendly option. First and foremost, the Galaxy F42 5G's price tag is surprisingly competitive. Considering its features, including a 64MP primary camera, 6.6-inch FHD+ display, and large 5000mAh battery, it's hard to argue with the value proposition on offer here. In terms of cameras, Samsung has delivered a solid performance with the Galaxy F42 5G. The triple-camera setup, which includes a 64MP primary sensor, 5MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and 2MP depth sensor, takes sharp and colorful pictures in various lighting conditions. While there are some limitations in low-light photography, the overall experience is commendable. The device's display is another highlight, offering vibrant colors and decent viewing angles. Although it lacks HDR support across all apps, it still delivers an impressive visual experience. Performance-wise, the Galaxy F42 5G runs on the Dimensity 700 chipset, which provides smooth day-to-day performance. While gaming might be a bit limited due to the lack of high frame rate options and medium graphics settings, it's still a capable device for casual gamers. Battery life is another strength of this smartphone, with a large 5000mAh unit providing well over a day's usage on a single charge. Charging speeds could be faster, but overall, it's not a significant concern. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy F42 5G offers an excellent value proposition at its price point. With its strong cameras, decent display, and reliable performance, it's definitely worth considering for those in the market for a budget-friendly smartphone with 5G capabilities.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy F42 5G is powered by the Dimensity 700 chipset, which is a decent choice for its price point. In day-to-day usage, the phone performs seamlessly, handling various tasks without any hiccups. However, there are some minor issues in certain apps, such as lag when switching from the main camera to the ultra-wide sensor after capturing an image. The Dimensity 700 chipset's performance is on par with its competitors, like the Snapdragon 720G. While it's not a powerhouse, it's more than sufficient for general use and even gaming on titles like Call of Duty: Mobile. The phone can handle medium graphics settings and high frame rates without significant lag. One notable issue is that the camera app takes some time to load and switch between sensors, which might be frustrating for users who rely heavily on their smartphone cameras. However, in other areas, such as gaming, performance is smooth. Battery life is also impressive, with a large 5000mAh unit that can easily last over a day even with heavy usage. The phone comes with a 15W charger, but it takes around two hours to fully charge the device. This means it's best to charge the F42 5G overnight for a full-day's use. In terms of performance, the Galaxy F42 5G is a solid choice. It offers smooth day-to-day usage and decent gaming capabilities, making it suitable for those who prioritize Samsung's user-friendly interface and promise of future-proof 5G performance. You may find Samsung Galaxy F23 5G a better fit, thanks to its superior performance.