The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot A30 and Nokia C200 represent two distinct approaches to affordability. The Cubot A30 prioritizes processing power with a modern Unisoc chipset, while the Nokia C200 aims for simplicity and brand recognition with a MediaTek Helio A22. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and longevity, the Cubot A30 is the clear winner. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Nokia C200’s Helio A22, and its impressive 52:43h battery endurance ensures all-day use. The Nokia C200 may appeal to those solely focused on brand familiarity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE (2CA) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2022, January 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024 | Available. Released 2022, Q2 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 170.4 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.71 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) | 156.5 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm (6.16 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 216 g (7.62 oz) | 172.5 g (6.10 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 6 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5100 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Pink | Meteor Black |
| Models | - | TA-1437, TA-1510 |
| Price | - | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.11 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 52:43h endurance, 800 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Cubot A30
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- Exceptional battery endurance (52:43h)
- Potentially better image processing capabilities
- Brand recognition is lower than Nokia
- Display specifications are unknown and likely basic
Nokia C200
- Well-known and trusted brand (Nokia)
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Affordable price point
- Slow and outdated processor (Helio A22)
- Limited performance for multitasking and demanding apps
- Slow 10W charging
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The Nokia C200, being a more basic device, may have lower brightness and color accuracy. The Cubot A30, positioned slightly higher, may offer a marginally better viewing experience, but neither is expected to compete with phones featuring OLED or AMOLED technology.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Given the target market, both phones likely feature basic camera setups. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the Cubot A30’s more powerful processor may allow for slightly better image processing, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Cubot A30’s Unisoc Tiger T616, a 12nm octa-core processor (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), offers a significant advantage over the Nokia C200’s MediaTek Helio A22. The Helio A22 is a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Cubot A30 provide a much larger performance uplift for demanding tasks, while the A55 cores handle background processes efficiently. This translates to smoother app launches, faster web browsing, and a more responsive user experience on the Cubot A30. The Nokia C200 will likely struggle with anything beyond basic tasks.
Battery Life
The Cubot A30 boasts an impressive 52:43h endurance, indicating excellent battery life. While the capacity isn’t specified, the efficiency of the Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset combined with software optimization clearly contributes to this longevity. The Nokia C200, with its Helio A22, is likely to have shorter battery life. Furthermore, the Nokia C200 only supports 10W wired charging, suggesting a slower charging time compared to the Cubot A30, which, while charging speed isn’t specified, benefits from a more modern chipset potentially supporting faster charging protocols.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot A30 if you need a phone capable of handling multitasking, moderate gaming, and demanding apps without significant lag. It’s ideal for users who value performance and long battery life. Buy the Nokia C200 if you prioritize a well-known brand and require a very basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use, and are willing to accept slower performance and limited capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia C200 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio A22 processor in the Nokia C200 is a low-end chipset. While it can run basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, you may experience noticeable lag, slow loading times, and occasional crashes, especially when multitasking or using the apps for extended periods.
❓ How many years of software updates can I expect from the Cubot A30?
Cubot’s software update policy is less consistent than Nokia’s. While the A30 will likely ship with a recent version of Android, expect limited major Android version updates. Security patches may also be infrequent. This is a common trade-off for budget devices.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset in the Cubot A30 known for overheating?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 is generally well-regarded for its thermal efficiency. While it can get warm under heavy load, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling or overheating during typical usage scenarios. It’s a more efficient chip than the Helio A22.
❓ Does the Nokia C200 support fast charging?
No, the Nokia C200 only supports 10W wired charging. This is a relatively slow charging speed, meaning it will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge the device from 0% to 100%.
