itel brand is well known when it comes to features phone specially in the offline markets in India, and now they have entered the Smartphone domain. The itel S42 is their mid premium category smartphone that is priced at Rs. 8,499.

This handset is powered by well known Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 quad core processor. It features a 5.65 inch screen with HD+ resolution (18:9 aspect ratio). Quad core powered handsets are good for normal operations, but not really made for gaming users though the hardware can play games in lower visual quality mode.

This is a good handset, battery life is pretty good, camera is average but there is scope of improvement. The price is on the higher side specially if you buy products online, however this itel S42 is targeted at offline customers and with 100 days replacement warranty, it may do well in the offline segment.

itel S42 box pack (unboxing)

Itel S42 features, specifications

Inside the box (Unboxing the Itel S42) :  Handset, user manual, warranty card, SIM ejector pin, data cable (USB To Micro USB), travel charger 5V/ 1A, good quality earphones and plastic case for added protection.
SAR : 0.452 head / 1.305 body
Thickness : 8.25mm
Body : Metal body, curvy design, very comfortable to hold and use.
SIM Type : Nano + Nano + Micro SD (separate micro SD card slot)
Screen  :  5.65 inches, 1440  x 720 pixels resolution – HD+, viewing angles, touch response and color reproduction are good
Connectivity :  4G, VoLTE, WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth
Sensors : Accelerometer, Proximity, light
Security : Finger Print sensor on back. face unlock (via OTA update)
LED Notification : Yes, multi color – but you cannot control color
OTG : Yes supported
RAM : 3GB (about 1.4GB free on first boot)
ROM : 16GB (about 11GB free on first boot)
OS : Android 8.0, customized UI

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itel S42 review

Itel S42 Performance

CPU :  Qualcomm Snapdragon 425, 64 bit quad core @ 1.4GHz
GPU :  Adreno 308
Heating : low
Max Battery Temperature : 35 degrees

Smooth performance (not for gaming), no lags, hardly heats up.

Itel S42 Benchmark

Antutu : 45171 / 1718
NenaMark3 :  59.3fps (3-3)
Multi Touch : 5 points
Disk Speed :  166 MB/s read  and 63 MB/s write

Itel S42 Gaming Review

Asphalt 8 game is playable is medium to low visual quality mode. This is quad core powered handset and all quad core powered handsets are not really meant for gaming use.

Itel S42 Camera  Review

Rear Camera : 13MP, AF, LED flash
Front Camera : 13MP, LED flash
Video Recording : FHD

Camera quality is average, outdoor shots looked great but most were overexposed. Check the samples below. Front camera is good. This handset can shoot FHD videos. Do check the video sample in the video review.

Camera Rating : 3.7 out of 5

itel S42 camera samples

itel S42 camera sample hydrant itel S42 camera sample flowers itel S42 camera sample leaves itel S42 camera sample tree itel S42 camera sample tree rope itel S42 camera sample long shot itel S42 camera sample long shot HDR itel S42 camera sample selfie itel S42 camera sample night Auto mode itel S42 camera sample night HDR mode

Download Original Image files (right click and save) (do not use it for commercial purpose, without permission of gogi.in).

Other features

Sound is loud and clear, finger print sensor on the back is decently fast and accurate.

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Itel S42  Battery Review

Battery capacity : 3000 mAh (Non-removable)
Charging Time : about 3 hours using the charger provided
Battery Life : 6 to 10 hours non-stop (moderate to heavy)
Daily usage battery life : One to one and a Half days of mixed usage, depending on your usage

Battery Test Results

Battery Temp at idle : 29 degrees
Running Benchmark app :
 13 minutes / 2% / 32 degrees
Asphalt 8  game play : 16 minutes / 4% / 35 degrees
FHD video playback with full brightness (WiFi /4G on) :  23 minutes / 7% / 35 degrees

Verdict

This handset looks good and performance is pretty good but not for gaming users. The camera quality can be improved via software update. This is made for offline users and if look at the price it is high, cause if you buy handsets online you can get a much better deal.

But as mentioned this itel S42 is targeted at offline customers, and the brand is also providing 100 days replacement warranty, that is really what offline users are looking for.

Rating : 3.9  out of 5

Itel S42 price in India Rs. 8,499.

By Rajeev Rana

Founder and Chief Editor - gogi.in