The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Doogee U9 and Nokia G21 represent two distinct approaches: the Doogee prioritizing a newer, though less proven, chipset, while the Nokia focuses on maximizing battery life and offering a more refined software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia G21 emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, while not a powerhouse, offers a more balanced performance profile than the Doogee U9’s RK3562, and the 18W charging with PD3.0 support is a significant advantage over the U9’s slow 10W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, November | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 245.3 x 163.3 x 9.9 mm (9.66 x 6.43 x 0.39 in) | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | No | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 509 g (1.12 lb) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~73.8% 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 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | RK3562 | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB 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 | 5 MP | 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 | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | 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/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 5060 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Black, Purple | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | - | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | - | 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 U9
- Potentially newer chipset architecture (RK3562)
- May offer more customization options due to less brand restriction
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Significantly slower charging (10W)
- Less powerful CPU compared to the Nokia G21
- Uncertain software update support
Nokia G21
- Excellent battery life (126h endurance rating)
- Faster 18W charging with PD3.0
- More powerful and efficient Unisoc T606 chipset
- Established brand reputation for software support
- Potentially less cutting-edge chipset
- May have more bloatware than Doogee
- Display brightness, while good, isn't exceptional
Display Comparison
Both the Doogee U9 and Nokia G21 share a contrast ratio of 1631:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Nokia G21 boasts a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, a crucial advantage for outdoor visibility. While neither phone is likely to deliver a vibrant, color-accurate experience for professional photo or video editing, the G21’s higher brightness makes it more usable in bright sunlight. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs. VA) are missing, but the price point suggests standard IPS LCDs for both.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight into camera quality. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The absence of specific details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light conditions or offer advanced features like optical image stabilization (OIS). Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading without knowing sensor size and quality.
Performance
The Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606, a 12nm octa-core processor (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55), significantly outperforms the Doogee U9’s RK3562 quad-core 2.0 GHz CPU. The T606’s eight cores, including the more powerful Cortex-A75 units, provide a substantial boost in multi-tasking and application launch speeds. The RK3562, while newer, lacks the core count and architectural advantages of the Unisoc chip. This translates to a smoother user experience on the Nokia G21, particularly when running multiple apps or demanding tasks. The lack of information on RAM configurations for both devices makes a precise performance comparison difficult, but the chipset difference is the dominant factor.
Battery Life
The Nokia G21’s endurance rating of 126 hours is a standout feature, indicating exceptional battery life. While the actual mAh capacity isn’t specified, this rating suggests a large battery combined with efficient power management. Crucially, the G21 supports 18W wired charging with PD3.0, allowing for faster and more versatile charging. The Doogee U9, limited to 10W charging, will take considerably longer to fully recharge, a significant inconvenience for users who rely on their phones throughout the day. The G21’s faster charging is a practical advantage, minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee U9 if you absolutely need the latest chipset architecture and are willing to compromise on charging speed and potentially overall system responsiveness. Buy the Nokia G21 if you prioritize long battery life, faster charging, and a more established brand reputation for software updates and reliability. The G21 is ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls, while the U9 might appeal to those experimenting with Android customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 powerful enough for casual gaming?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is capable of handling most casual mobile games at medium settings. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a smooth and enjoyable experience for titles like PUBG Mobile (at lower settings) and popular puzzle games. The RK3562 in the Doogee U9 may struggle with even moderate gaming loads due to its lower core count.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Doogee U9 with its 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging rate of the Doogee U9, a full charge from 0% will likely take between 3 to 4 hours, potentially longer depending on battery capacity. This is a significant drawback compared to the Nokia G21’s 18W PD3.0 charging, which can reduce charging times to around 2 hours.
❓ Does the Nokia G21 receive regular software updates and security patches?
Nokia has a relatively good track record of providing software updates and security patches for its smartphones, even in the budget segment. While the frequency of updates may not match flagship devices, users can generally expect to receive timely security updates and potentially one or two major Android version upgrades. Doogee’s update policy is less predictable.
