The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Doogee N30 and Nokia G21 represent two compelling options, each prioritizing different aspects of the user experience. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device delivers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia G21 emerges as the better choice. While both phones utilize entry-level chipsets, the Unisoc T606 offers a more modern CPU architecture and faster charging capabilities, offsetting the similar battery endurance ratings. The N30's appeal is limited to those prioritizing extreme affordability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 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 / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 18. Released 2020, October | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167 x 77.4 x 8.9 mm (6.57 x 3.05 x 0.35 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~80.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V/WD Helio A25 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB 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 |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 130˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Green | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | - | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 150 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) |
Doogee N30
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Outdated chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely limited performance
Nokia G21
- More modern CPU architecture (Unisoc T606)
- Faster 18W charging with PD3.0
- Brighter display (500 nits)
- Slightly higher price
- Still an entry-level chipset
- Camera performance likely limited
Display Comparison
Both the Doogee N30 and Nokia G21 feature displays with a 1631:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Nokia G21 boasts a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, a significant advantage over what we'd expect from the N30, making it more usable outdoors. While neither phone is likely to offer exceptional color accuracy, the brighter display on the G21 provides a more pleasant viewing experience in various lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price point, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, focusing on the chipset's image signal processor (ISP) capabilities, the Unisoc T606 likely offers slightly better image processing potential than the Helio A25, potentially resulting in more detailed and less noisy photos. Avoid expecting flagship-level results from either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee N30 utilizes the Mediatek MT6762V/WD Helio A25, featuring four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz and another four at 1.5 GHz. The Nokia G21, conversely, employs the Unisoc T606, with a more efficient configuration of two Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz. The A75 cores in the T606 represent a generational leap in performance and efficiency over the A53 cores in the Helio A25, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While neither chipset is a gaming powerhouse, the G21 will handle light gaming better.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Nokia G21 has a clear advantage in charging speed, supporting 18W wired charging with PD3.0, while the Doogee N30 is limited to 10W. This means the G21 can replenish its battery significantly faster, reducing downtime. While the battery capacity isn't specified for either device, the faster charging of the G21 is a practical benefit for users who need to quickly top up their phone.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee N30 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. It's a functional device for basic tasks. Buy the Nokia G21 if you prioritize a slightly smoother user experience, faster charging with PD3.0 support, and a more balanced feature set, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 handle popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is capable of running everyday apps like Facebook and WhatsApp without significant lag. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable performance boost over the older architecture in the Doogee N30, ensuring a smoother user experience for common tasks.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Doogee N30 with its 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging rate and assuming a typical battery capacity for this price range (around 4000-5000 mAh), a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Doogee N30 will likely take between 3 to 4 hours. This is considerably slower than the Nokia G21's 18W charging.
❓ Is the Nokia G21 a good option for light gaming?
The Nokia G21 can handle light gaming, such as casual puzzle games or older titles. However, demanding games will likely require reduced graphics settings and may still experience occasional frame drops. The Unisoc T606 is not a gaming-focused chipset.
❓ Does the Nokia G21 support fast charging protocols beyond PD3.0?
While PD3.0 is the primary fast charging protocol supported by the Nokia G21, it may also be compatible with other Power Delivery (PD) standards. However, it's unlikely to support proprietary fast charging protocols from other manufacturers.
