The Nokia G42 5G is gearing up for launch under HMD Global's affordable G-series lineup, and early Geekbench benchmarks have already revealed several key specifications ahead of the official announcement.
Nokia G42 5G Spotted on Geekbench with Qualcomm Processor
The Nokia G42 5G recently appeared on the Geekbench benchmarking website, giving us our first confirmed look at its internals. The listing shows a quad-core Qualcomm processor with a base frequency of 1.90 GHz and a faster cluster of two cores clocked at 2.21 GHz. While the exact SoC name has not been disclosed, it appears to be a lower mid-range chipset suited for an affordable 5G device.
In the benchmark tests, the Nokia G42 5G posted a single-core score of 738 and a multi-core score of 1718. The Geekbench listing also confirms that the handset runs Android 13 out of the box, and carries at least 4 GB of RAM in the configuration tested.
Nokia G42 5G Specs: RAM, Storage, and Display
According to an earlier report, HMD Global plans to offer the Nokia G42 5G in a 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant as well, catering to users who need more headroom for multitasking and media. The display is expected to carry a resolution of 1612 x 720 pixels, placing it in the standard HD+ tier common to budget 5G smartphones.
The phone will be available in two color finishes: Purple and Gray. Additional features, pricing, and the official launch date have not been confirmed yet, but more details are expected to surface in the coming days.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core Qualcomm (1.90 GHz base + 2.21 GHz fast cluster) |
| RAM | 4 GB (Geekbench listing) / 6 GB (reported variant) |
| Storage | 128 GB (reported) |
| Display Resolution | 1612 x 720 pixels (HD+) |
| Operating System | Android 13 |
| Colors | Purple, Gray |
| Geekbench Single-Core | 738 |
| Geekbench Multi-Core | 1718 |
How Does It Compare to Nokia XR21?
While the Nokia G42 5G targets the budget segment, Nokia has also been expanding its portfolio at the rugged end. The company recently launched the Nokia XR21 in the US, which ships with a Snapdragon 695 processor, 6 GB RAM, and 128 GB of built-in storage. The XR21 also carries MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability certification, IP68 waterproofing, and IP69K dust resistance — features aimed at a very different audience from the mainstream G-series.
The Nokia G42 5G is positioned as an everyday 5G device rather than a rugged workhorse, but the shared 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage configuration suggests HMD Global is working to maintain consistency across its lineup at this price tier.
What to Expect at Launch
HMD Global has not yet confirmed a launch date or pricing for the Nokia G42 5G. Given that it is part of the G-series — Nokia's mid-range, value-oriented family — it is expected to arrive at a competitive price point suited to markets where affordable 5G connectivity is in high demand. The combination of Android 13, a Qualcomm 5G chipset, and a large-storage variant makes it a practical option for users stepping up from 4G devices. Watch this space for official details as they become available. For more phones from this brand, see the full Nokia phones section.
