👍 Pros
- Reliable 5G connectivity (Snapdragon 750G)
- Excellent battery life (5000 mAh)
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display (despite resolution)
- Decent main camera for its class
- Good software longevity (upgradable to Android 13)
👎 Cons
- Low-resolution 720p display
- Slow 15W charging
- Plastic build feels budget
- Outdated design in 2026
- Shared SIM/microSD slot
Expert Review & Rating
Quick Overview
In the ever-evolving landscape of 2026, where do phones like the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G, launched way back in 2020, even fit in? Is it a forgotten relic, or does its foundational 5G capability still hold some unexpected value?
The Compromises
Let’s be brutally honest: the A42 5G made some serious sacrifices to hit its price point. The 720p Super AMOLED display, while vibrant, is a pixelated mess by 2026 standards. Text isn’t as crisp, and fine details in images are simply lost. Charging at a glacial 15W feels like a lifetime in an era of 100W+ solutions. The all-plastic build, while durable, screams ‘budget’ from every angle. And that shared SIM/microSD slot? A minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless. These weren’t just corners cut; they were entire sections of the design process trimmed away to meet a specific cost.
Performance & Daily Usage
The Snapdragon 750G was a decent mid-range chip for 2020. In 2026? It’s adequate. Navigating One UI 5 (its final update) is surprisingly fluid for basic tasks. App launches are acceptable. Multi-tasking with 6GB or 8GB RAM holds up. Don’t expect a gaming powerhouse. Genshin Impact will be a slideshow. Lighter games run fine. Thermal management is good; it rarely gets hot. It’s a workhorse, not a racehorse. Responsiveness is there for everyday use, but demanding workloads reveal its age quickly.
The Best Features
Despite its age, the Galaxy A42 5G had a few standout elements. The 5000 mAh battery was, and still is, a beast. Seriously, this thing goes and goes. Even four years later, a well-maintained unit can easily last a full day, sometimes two, for a light user. That Super AMOLED display, even at 720p, still delivers those signature Samsung deep blacks and punchy colors that LCDs just can’t match. For media consumption, if you’re not scrutinizing individual pixels, it’s a pleasant experience. And the inclusion of 5G from day one was a smart move, future-proofing it somewhat. You’re not stuck on outdated networks. The main 48 MP camera, while not flagship-level, captures surprisingly good photos in well-lit conditions, offering decent detail and color accuracy for social media.
Is It Worth Buying?
In 2026, evaluating the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G purely on price-to-performance, it’s a hard sell for a new purchase. However, if you find one on the used market for an absolute steal (think under $100), and you primarily need a secondary device for basic communication, solid battery life, and 5G connectivity without caring about display resolution or charging speed, it could *just* scrape by as a viable ultra-budget option. Otherwise, newer, far more capable devices exist at similar or slightly higher price points, even in the used market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The 720p resolution on a 6.6-inch screen results in noticeable pixelation by 2026 standards. While the Super AMOLED panel offers good colors, sharpness is a significant compromise compared to modern FHD+ displays.
For everyday apps like social media, browsing, and messaging, the Snapdragon 750G is still functional. However, demanding applications, heavy multitasking, or graphics-intensive games will reveal its age and limitations, leading to slower performance.
The Galaxy A42 5G launched with Android 10 and was upgradable to Android 13 with One UI 5. It will not receive further major Android version updates, meaning you'll be on an older, though still functional, software version in 2026.