Doogee N50 vs Nokia G42: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance

The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, with the Doogee N50 and Nokia G42 vying for attention. While both aim to deliver affordable connectivity, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving it. The Doogee N50 relies on the efficiency of Unisoc’s T606, while the Nokia G42 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 480+ for a performance boost. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Nokia G42 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 480+ chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable advantage in responsiveness and 5G capabilities, while the 20W charging with PD3.0/QC3 support offers quicker top-ups compared to the Doogee N50’s 18W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee N50 Nokia G42
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 13, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, April 252023, June 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, MayAvailable. Released 2023, June 28
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions165.8 x 76.2 x 9.1 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.36 in)165 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-193.8 g (6.84 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 390 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 560 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Adreno 619
OSAndroid 13Android 13, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesTriple-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP
VideoYesYes
Sound
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired20W wired, PD3.0, QC3
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsFairy pink, Electric blue, Granite blackGray, Purple, Red
PriceAbout 180 EUR$ 545.00 / £ 124.99

Doogee N50

  • Potentially better battery life due to Unisoc T606 efficiency
  • Lower price point (likely)
  • Simple and straightforward software experience

  • Slower performance compared to Snapdragon 480+
  • Less efficient 12nm chipset
  • Slower 18W charging

Nokia G42

  • Faster and more responsive performance with Snapdragon 480+
  • 8nm process for better efficiency and thermal management
  • 20W charging with PD3.0/QC3 for faster top-ups

  • Potentially slightly shorter battery life
  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Nokia's software update policy can be inconsistent

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, the lack of detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) makes a direct comparison difficult. The Nokia G42’s potential for better color calibration, stemming from Qualcomm’s image signal processing integration, is a subtle advantage. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, prioritizing affordability over premium aesthetics.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the Snapdragon 480+’s integrated image signal processor (ISP) generally delivers superior image processing capabilities. This means better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality on the Nokia G42, even with similar sensor configurations. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia G42’s Snapdragon 480+ (8nm) significantly outperforms the Doogee N50’s Unisoc T606 (12nm) in both CPU and GPU benchmarks. The Snapdragon’s Kryo 460 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer a substantial performance uplift over the T606’s Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 8nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While the Doogee N50 is adequate for basic tasks, the Nokia G42 provides a more future-proof and responsive experience.

Battery Life

Both phones likely feature similar battery capacities (estimated around 5000mAh, based on market trends). However, the Snapdragon 480+’s 8nm process is more power-efficient than the Unisoc T606’s 12nm process, potentially offsetting any capacity difference. More importantly, the Nokia G42’s 20W charging with PD3.0 and QC3 support is a significant advantage over the Doogee N50’s 18W charging. This translates to faster 0-100% charge times, minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee N50 if you prioritize a potentially longer battery life due to the Unisoc T606’s efficiency and are comfortable with slightly slower performance for everyday tasks. Buy the Nokia G42 if you value a smoother user experience, faster 5G speeds, and quicker charging, even if it means slightly reduced battery endurance. The Nokia G42 is the better choice for users who frequently stream video or play mobile games.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Nokia G42 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 480+ in the Nokia G42 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Unisoc T606 in the Doogee N50 will struggle with higher settings and may exhibit noticeable frame drops.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Nokia G42 compared to the Doogee N50?
The Nokia G42's 20W charging with PD3.0/QC3 support will significantly reduce charging times. Expect a full charge in approximately 1.5-2 hours, while the Doogee N50's 18W charging will likely take closer to 2.5-3 hours.
❓ Does the Nokia G42 support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 480+ generally supports carrier aggregation, allowing the Nokia G42 to combine multiple 5G bands for potentially faster download and upload speeds, depending on your carrier and location. The Doogee N50's 5G capabilities are likely more limited.
❓ Is the software experience significantly different between the two phones?
The Nokia G42 runs a near-stock version of Android, offering a clean and bloatware-free experience. Doogee's software is often more customized, potentially including pre-installed apps and a different user interface. Preference here is subjective, but many users prefer Nokia's simplicity.