The Gionee G13 Pro and Nokia C01 Plus represent the extreme end of the budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The G13 Pro leverages a newer, albeit still entry-level, Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset, while the Nokia C01 Plus relies on the older, more widely-used Unisoc SC9863A. This comparison will dissect the implications of these chipset choices and determine which device offers the better user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing responsiveness in basic tasks like web browsing and messaging, the Gionee G13 Pro is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T310, built on a 12nm process, offers a more efficient and powerful CPU architecture than the Nokia C01 Plus’s 28nm SC9863A, despite the latter having more cores.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 28 | 2021, June 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 30 | Available. Released 2021, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.22 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 148 x 71.8 x 9.3 mm (5.83 x 2.83 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 157 g (5.54 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~280 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 94.6 cm2 (~78.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | IMG8322 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver, Purple | Blue, Purple |
| Models | GNV5221 | TA-1383, TA-1387, TA-1391 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.41 W/kg (body) |
Gionee G13 Pro
- More powerful CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- More efficient 12nm process
- Potentially smoother user experience
- Likely better sustained performance
- Camera specifications unknown
- Limited availability in some markets
Nokia C01 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Wider availability
- Familiar Unisoc SC9863A chipset
- Android Go Edition optimized for low-end hardware
- Less powerful CPU architecture (all Cortex-A55)
- Less efficient 28nm process
- Slower performance in demanding tasks
- Potentially shorter battery life under load
Display Comparison
Neither Gionee nor Nokia provide detailed display specifications. Given the price points, both likely utilize LCD panels with modest resolutions (likely 720p+). The Nokia C01 Plus, being an older model, may have wider bezels. The real difference lies in the processing power driving the display; a smoother experience is expected on the G13 Pro due to its more capable chipset.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are expected to feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The Nokia C01 Plus is known to have a 5MP main camera, while the Gionee G13 Pro's camera specs are not publicly available. However, given the price bracket, expecting high-quality images from either is unrealistic. Image processing will likely be minimal on both devices.
Performance
This is where the core difference lies. The Gionee G13 Pro’s Unisoc Tiger T310 features a quad-core configuration with a Cortex-A75 performance core clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with three Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at 1.8 GHz. This architecture is significantly more advanced than the Nokia C01 Plus’s Unisoc SC9863A, which uses an octa-core configuration of Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz. While the Nokia has more cores, the A75 core in the Gionee provides a substantial performance boost in single-threaded tasks and overall responsiveness. The 12nm fabrication process of the Tiger T310 also contributes to better power efficiency compared to the SC9863A’s older 28nm process, meaning less heat and potentially more sustained performance.
Battery Life
Again, specific battery capacities are not provided. However, given the lower power consumption of the Unisoc Tiger T310, the Gionee G13 Pro is likely to offer comparable or slightly better battery life than the Nokia C01 Plus, even if the latter has a slightly larger battery capacity. Charging speeds are also likely to be slow on both devices, with neither supporting fast charging technologies.
Buying Guide
Buy the Gionee G13 Pro if you need a slightly more responsive experience for everyday tasks and anticipate using apps that benefit from a more modern CPU architecture. It’s ideal for users who occasionally multitask or browse the web. Buy the Nokia C01 Plus if your primary needs are extremely basic – calls, texts, and very light app usage – and you prioritize a potentially lower price point and a familiar, if less performant, chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Gionee G13 Pro handle popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Gionee G13 Pro’s Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset, with its Cortex-A75 core, should provide a reasonably smooth experience with social media apps. While it won’t be as fast as a flagship device, it’s significantly more capable than the Nokia C01 Plus for these types of tasks.
❓ Is the Nokia C01 Plus a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Absolutely. The Nokia C01 Plus is perfectly adequate for basic communication tasks like calls and texts. Its Unisoc SC9863A chipset is sufficient for these functions, and the Android Go Edition software is optimized for low-end hardware, minimizing resource usage.
❓ Can either of these phones run multiple apps simultaneously without significant slowdown?
Multitasking is limited on both devices. The Gionee G13 Pro will handle a few apps better than the Nokia C01 Plus, but neither is designed for heavy multitasking. Expect slowdowns if you try to run too many apps at once.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on these phones, and can it be expanded?
Storage details are limited. Both phones likely come with minimal internal storage (16GB or 32GB). However, both are expected to support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add more storage for photos, videos, and apps.
