The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the BlackBerry Aurora, a throwback to the iconic brand, and the Nokia G10, known for its reliability and clean Android experience. Let's see which phone comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G10 edges out the BlackBerry Aurora thanks to its superior processor, more modern design, and generally better software support. While the Aurora offers a unique BlackBerry experience, the G10 provides a more well-rounded and future-proof package for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, March. Released 2017, March | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 152 x 76.8 x 8.5 mm (5.98 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Gold | Dusk, Night |
| Models | BBC100-1 | TA-1334, TA-1351, TA-1346, TA-1338 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.06 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) |
BlackBerry Aurora
- Physical keyboard (for some users)
- BlackBerry branding/nostalgia
- Decent screen size
- Outdated processor
- Limited software updates
- Lower camera quality
- Can feel sluggish
Nokia G10
- Better performance
- Longer battery life
- Clean Android experience
- More versatile camera
- Design can be considered bland
- 10W charging is slow
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
The BlackBerry Aurora typically features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, while the Nokia G10 boasts a 6.52-inch IPS LCD. The G10's larger screen provides a more immersive viewing experience. Both offer HD+ resolution, so image quality is comparable, but the G10's size gives it an advantage.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia G10 generally has a more versatile camera setup, often including a main sensor, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. The Aurora's camera is adequate but lacks the features and image quality of the G10. Low-light performance is also better on the G10.
Performance
Here's where the Nokia G10 shines. Its Mediatek Helio G25, with its octa-core processor, significantly outperforms the Aurora's Snapdragon 425. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the G10. The Aurora can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, but the Nokia G10's larger battery capacity (5000mAh) and more efficient processor give it a noticeable edge. Expect all-day battery life with moderate usage on the G10, while the Aurora might require a top-up before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Aurora is for those nostalgic for BlackBerry's physical keyboard and secure operating system (though it runs Android). The Nokia G10 is ideal for users seeking a dependable, long-lasting phone with a clean Android experience and good battery life, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the BlackBerry Aurora still receive software updates?
Software updates for the BlackBerry Aurora are extremely limited. It's unlikely to receive major Android version upgrades.
❓ Is the Nokia G10 a 5G phone?
No, the Nokia G10 is a 4G LTE phone.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Nokia G10 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor.
❓ What is the charging speed of each phone?
The BlackBerry Aurora's charging speed is unknown, but the Nokia G10 supports 10W wired charging.
