Cubot X70 vs Nokia G21: A Detailed Comparison of Performance and Battery Life
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and responsiveness, the Cubot X70 is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset offers a significant upgrade over the Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606. However, the Nokia G21 remains a compelling option for those who value extended battery life and a reliable, if less powerful, experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot X70 | Nokia G21 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.3 x 10.2 mm (6.5 x 2.96 x 0.40 in) | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 5200 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Tech Black, Space Black | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | - | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 126h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -30.7 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 171299 (v9) GeekBench: 1193 (v5.1) GFXBench: 8.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Cubot X70
- Significantly faster processor (Helio G99)
- More efficient 6nm process node
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Battery life likely shorter than Nokia G21
- Display specs are largely unknown
- Camera details are missing
Nokia G21
- Excellent 126-hour endurance rating
- 500 nits brightness for outdoor visibility
- 18W PD3.0 charging
- Slower Unisoc T606 processor
- Less responsive for demanding tasks
- Limited gaming capabilities
Display Comparison
Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1631:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Nokia G21’s measured 500 nits of brightness provides a clearer viewing experience in direct sunlight compared to an unmeasured Cubot X70. While both are likely using IPS LCD panels (given the price point), the lack of detailed display specs for the Cubot X70 makes a definitive comparison difficult. The Nokia G21’s brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the price bracket, it’s unlikely either phone will deliver exceptional image quality. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a primary focus for photography enthusiasts. We can assume both will rely heavily on software processing to enhance images.
Performance
The Cubot X70’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a substantial leap in performance over the Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The G99’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, are significantly faster than the T606’s Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz. The smaller 6nm process node also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Cubot X70 will handle gaming and demanding applications with greater ease and consistency. The Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more intensive operations.
Battery Life
The Nokia G21 boasts an endurance rating of 126 hours, a strong indicator of excellent battery life. While the Cubot X70’s battery capacity is unknown, the more power-hungry Helio G99 chipset will likely result in shorter usage times. The Nokia G21 also supports 18W wired charging with PD3.0, offering a reasonable charging speed. Without knowing the Cubot X70’s charging capabilities, it’s difficult to assess its charging convenience. The Nokia G21’s endurance rating is its key advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X70 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding apps, moderate gaming, and smoother multitasking. Its Helio G99 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost. Buy the Nokia G21 if you prioritize all-day battery life, a simple and clean software experience, and are willing to trade some processing power for extended usage between charges. It's ideal for basic communication, media consumption, and light tasks.