Too little, too late
While it launched globally in 2020, the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is only just now arriving stateside. Sandwiched between the $279.99 Galaxy A32 5G and the $499.99 Galaxy A52 5G, the $399.99 Galaxy A42 5G fails to stand out. Ultimately, its millimeter-wave (mmWave) 5G connectivity and long battery life don’t make up for underwhelming cameras, a low-resolution display, and sluggish performance. We recommend the Galaxy A32 5G if you’re looking to spend less, or the $449.99 Google Pixel 5a with 5G if you have a bit more cash to spare. No matter your budget, both phones offer a better blend of features and performance for their respective prices. A Flashy Design With Little Substance The Galaxy A42 lacks the sophisticated, squared-off design you’ll find in the rest of Samsung’s 2021 A-series portfolio. Instead, it sports a glossy and curvy back panel similar to last year’s Galaxy A51. The phone is available in black, gray, or white, all of which have a distinct gradient. I tested the black model, which has four chunky blocks that transition from pure black to metallic blue. While it’s a bold, unique design, the high-gloss finish shows off smudges and scratches easily. At 6.5 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches (HWD) and 6.8 ounces, the Galaxy A42 is big, but light and thin enough to hold in one hand. And while the glossy shell doesn’t offer any resistance, the phone is well balanced and doesn’t feel like it will slip out of your hands. The Galaxy A42 has a disappointingly low-resolution AMOLED display A 6.6-inch,1,660-by-720 pixel AMOLED panel dominates the front of the phone. The screen’s colors are lush and vivid, but there’s noticeable pixelation because of its low resolution. That said, it’s bright enough to use in direct sunlight without any issues, and its viewing angles are excellent. The phone’s optical, under-display fingerprint sensor is slow and finnicky. It’s smaller and less accurate than the ultrasonic sensors on more expensive flagships like the Galaxy S21; I wish Samsung used the side-mounted sensors from the Galaxy A32 here. The top of the Galaxy A42 is bare, while the bottom is home to a USB-C charging port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a speaker. The speaker maxes out at 94dB; audio quality is mediocre and unbalanced, with thin mids and not the slightest hint of bass. Fortunately, there’s Bluetooth 5.0 and the aforementioned headphone jack for better audio. The handset also supports NFC for mobile payments. On the left edge, there’s a SIM/microSD slot. The power button and volume rocker are on the right; the buttons are thin and feel a bit spongy to the touch. Durability is a mixed bag. The Galaxy A42’s plastic frame and back panel should withstand minor drops and dings without much damage, but its Gorilla Glass 3 display is unlikely to fare as well. And unlike the IP67-rated Galaxy A52, an accidental dip in the pool will likely spell doom for the Galaxy A42. The back of the Galaxy A42 is fairly unique Optimized for Verizon and Visible The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is optimized for use on Verizon’s 5G network. That means it sports LTE, mid-band 5G, and mmWave connectivity. There is no C-band support, however.
