Apple iPhone XR vs Nokia G42 5G
The Verdict
iPhone XR and Nokia G42 5G target entirely different user segments, making direct comparison challenging. Apple's flagship delivers superior display quality with 625 nits brightness versus Nokia's 450 nits, plus a more refined A12 Bionic processor that still outperforms the Snapdragon 480+ 5G in real-world performance and app optimization. The iPhone's 12MP camera with optical image stabilization produces sharper photos, though Nokia's 50MP sensor offers higher resolution on paper and records at 1080p instead of 4K. Battery endurance heavily favors Nokia, whose 5000mAh cell nearly doubles the iPhone's 2942mAh capacity, and Nokia includes 5G connectivity plus USB-C while iPhone still uses Lightning with no 5G. At $749 versus $249, you're paying a $500 premium for iOS ecosystem, Apple's build quality, and processing power. Nokia excels in repairability, battery longevity, and modern connectivity standards at a fraction of the cost. For power users and iPhone devotees, the XR justifies its price through software fluidity and camera prowess. Budget-conscious buyers seeking all-day battery and 5G coverage should choose the G42 5G without hesitation.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XR if…
- →Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- →Great battery life for the era
- →Six vibrant color options
Buy the Nokia G42 5G if…
- →Three years of OS updates and three years of security patches
- →Repairability-focused design with easily replaceable parts
- →100% recycled plastic back for environmental sustainability
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone XR
Pros
- Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- Great battery life for the era
- Six vibrant color options
- Same A12 Bionic as the XS models
- More affordable entry into Face ID iPhones
Cons
- LCD display instead of OLED
- 720p-class resolution
- Single rear camera only
- Thicker bezels than XS
- Only 3 GB RAM
Nokia G42 5G
Pros
- Three years of OS updates and three years of security patches
- Repairability-focused design with easily replaceable parts
- 100% recycled plastic back for environmental sustainability
- 5G connectivity at a budget $249 price
- 5000 mAh battery provides multi-day endurance
Cons
- HD+ resolution is pixelated on the 6.56-inch screen
- Snapdragon 480+ is underpowered for demanding tasks
- 2 MP macro and depth cameras are useless
- Only 20W charging is very slow for the 5000 mAh battery
- 8 MP front camera produces soft selfies
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone XR | Nokia G42 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 194 g | 193 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | 100% recycled plastic back, repairable design |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm | 164.6 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 3 GB | 4 GB / 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2942 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 20W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.56 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1792 x 828 | 1612 x 720 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.9 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 619 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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