Alcatel 3L (2020) vs Nokia G11 Plus: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Alcatel 3L (2020) and the Nokia G11 Plus. Both promise affordability, but which delivers the better overall experience?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia G11 Plus edges out the Alcatel 3L (2020) thanks to its superior processor and generally smoother performance. While both offer decent battery life, the G11 Plus's chipset provides a more responsive and enjoyable user experience, making it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	alcatel 3L (2020)	Nokia G11 Plus

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	-	1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India

Launch
Announced	2020, January. Released 2020, May	2022, June 29
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2022, July 20

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	158.7 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm (6.25 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)	164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	165 g (5.82 oz)	192 g (6.77 oz)
	-	Splash protection

Display
Resolution	720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size	6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)	6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53	Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)	Unisoc T606 (12 nm)
GPU	PowerVR GE8320	Mali-G57 MP1
OS	Android 10	Android 12, upgradable to Android 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM	32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Dual	-	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.67", PDAF Auxiliary lens
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0"
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide/depth sensor), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0"
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS	GPS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio
USB	microUSB 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Charging	10W wired	10W wired
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh	Li-Ion 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Chameleon Blue, Dark Chrome, Agate Green	Lake Blue, Charcoal Grey
Models	5029Y, 5029, 5029D, 5029D_EEA, 5029Y_EEA	-
Price	About 150 EUR	About 130 EUR

alcatel 3L (2020)

Very affordable
Large display
Decent battery life

Slow performance
Basic camera
Outdated chipset

Nokia G11 Plus

Better performance
More responsive UI
Slightly better camera
Reliable brand

Still a budget phone
Slow charging
HD+ display

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but don't anticipate vibrant colors or high brightness. The Nokia G11 Plus might have slightly better color accuracy due to Nokia's generally more calibrated displays, but the difference will be minimal.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality on both devices is expected to be average for their price range. The Alcatel 3L likely has a triple camera setup, while the Nokia G11 Plus probably features a dual camera system. The Nokia G11 Plus's image processing might be slightly better, resulting in marginally more detailed and vibrant photos, particularly in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be similar on both.

Performance

This is where the Nokia G11 Plus shines. The Unisoc T606, with its dual Cortex-A75 cores, offers a significant performance boost over the Alcatel 3L's Helio P22. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the G11 Plus. The Alcatel 3L will feel noticeably slower, especially with demanding apps.

Battery Life

Both phones boast large batteries, likely around 5000mAh, promising all-day battery life. Charging speeds are limited to 10W wired charging on both, so expect relatively slow charging times. Battery optimization on the Nokia G11 Plus's more efficient chipset could give it a slight edge in real-world usage.

Buying Guide

The Alcatel 3L (2020) is a good option for users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience and extremely tight budgets. The Nokia G11 Plus is ideal for those seeking a more reliable and responsive device with a slightly better camera and overall performance, even within the budget category.