Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until November 2024 · Buy-by November 2022
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~4-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy A42 5G should be supported until around November 2024. Buying it today still gets you about -1.6 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
An affordable early 5G phone whose low-res screen and lapsed updates limit its appeal today.
Pros
- 5G connectivity at a budget price
- Huge 5000mAh battery for long endurance
- Received two OS upgrades up to Android 12
Cons
- Only an HD+ resolution AMOLED screen
- Security support ended around late 2024
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.6-inch Super AMOLED, 720x1600 (HD+), 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 48MP |
| ultra-wide | 8MP |
| macro | 5MP |
| front | 20MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm |
| Weight | 193 g |
| Materials | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 10 with One UI 2.5 at launch |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB-C, microSD |
| Update policy | ~2 years of updates (our estimate from Samsung's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the Galaxy A42 5G get updates?
Its support has ended. Samsung delivered two OS upgrades (Android 10 to Android 12) and around four years of security patches, finishing near the end of 2024.
Why is the Galaxy A42 5G screen only HD+?
To hit a low 5G price, Samsung used a 720x1600 AMOLED panel, which looks softer than the FHD+ screens on pricier A-series phones.
Is the Galaxy A42 5G still a good buy?
Only if you want the cheapest possible 5G and accept that it no longer gets security updates.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.