HMD Global has unveiled its latest smartphone, the Nokia G42, which is designed to be easily repairable by users using spare parts and kits sold in partnership with iFixit. The device is available in the UK for £199 ($255) and will be released in Europe for €249. Another model with 4GB of RAM will be sold in select European markets for around €229. However, there is no indication that either model will be available in the US at this time.
Similar to the Nokia G22 released earlier this year, HMD’s primary focus is on making four key components easily replaceable: the phone’s battery, screen, charging port, and back cover. HMD plans to make spare parts available from iFixit for a period of five years, according to Adam Ferguson, the company’s head of product marketing.
While I haven’t personally conducted a repair on the Nokia G42, I found it relatively easy to perform a battery swap on HMD’s previous repairable phone, the Nokia G22, during my attendance at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this year. Although it’s not as convenient as the tool-free battery replacement offered by Fairphone’s phones, it is designed to be carried out with simpler tools and fewer steps than most other smartphones, including those from Samsung, Google, and Apple, according to my experience.
The Nokia G42 is positioned as an affordable phone and offers improvements in features and performance compared to the Nokia G22. It supports 5G networks and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 Plus processor instead of the Unisoc T606 found in its predecessor. Unfortunately, like the Nokia G22, the new Nokia G42 is only expected to receive two major Android updates (it ships with Android 13) and three years of security updates.
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During a briefing, Ferguson explained that the duration of software support depends on the device’s price point and suggested that the length of support offered by chipset manufacturers also plays a role. He highlighted that there is a cost associated with each OS update and security update, making it challenging to provide extended support at lower price levels. Ferguson added that consumer feedback indicates that longer software support is not a dealbreaker.
The Nokia G42 has an IP52 rating, meaning it can withstand limited dust and water spray. In comparison, the Fairphone 4 has a slightly more robust IP54 rating, allowing it to handle water splashes from multiple directions.
In terms of specifications, the Nokia G42 features a triple rear camera (50MP main, 2MP depth sensor, and 2MP macro sensor). It has an 8MP selfie camera housed in a teardrop notch above the 6.56-inch 720p 90Hz display. The device is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that supports fast charging up to 20W. It also includes a microSD card slot for additional storage up to 1TB. The available colors will eventually include purple, grey, and pink.
The announcement of the Nokia G42 comes shortly after a vote by the European Parliament in favor of a proposal to mandate user-replaceable batteries for electronic devices sold in the European Union. However, HMD emphasized that its plans are driven by consumer demand rather than upcoming legislation. According to Ferguson, the company is investing heavily in design and exploring ways to meet these user needs, regardless of future regulations.
In conclusion, HMD Global’s Nokia G42 is a smartphone designed with repairability in mind. It offers users the option to easily replace key components and has the added appeal of being an affordable device. While it may not have every feature found in higher-end smartphones, it provides a solid user experience and demonstrates HMD’s commitment to meeting consumer demands for sustainable and repairable devices.
