The Honor X5 and Nokia G21 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Honor X5 prioritizes a slightly newer chipset, while the Nokia G21 focuses on extended battery endurance and a more refined charging experience. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia G21 emerges as the slightly better choice. While the Honor X5’s Helio G25 offers a marginal CPU clock speed advantage, the Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 benefits from a more modern CPU architecture and a comparable 12nm process, resulting in a smoother overall experience. The identical endurance ratings and Nokia’s 18W PD3.0 charging further solidify its position.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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 | 2023, January 24 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 14 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 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 | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio G25 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB 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), AF | 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@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunrise Orange, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | VNA-LX2, VNA-LX3 | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 90 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) |
Honor X5
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Slightly higher CPU clock speeds (on paper).
- Simple and straightforward Android experience.
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A53).
- Limited charging information.
- Likely slower app loading times.
Nokia G21
- More efficient CPU architecture (Cortex-A75/A55).
- 18W PD3.0 fast charging.
- Stronger brand reputation for software updates (Nokia).
- Potentially slightly higher price.
- Similar battery endurance to the Honor X5, despite faster charging.
- Camera specifications are unknown.
Display Comparison
Both the Honor X5 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 crucial advantage for outdoor visibility. While both manufacturers list the contrast ratio as 'nominal', the Nokia’s measured brightness provides a tangible benefit in real-world usage. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs. VA) and color accuracy are absent, suggesting both utilize standard panels for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. This suggests both employ entry-level camera systems. Without further information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this segment suggests both phones likely include one, offering limited practical benefit. Focusing on the main sensor specifications would be crucial for a meaningful comparison, but this data is unavailable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X5 utilizes the Mediatek Helio G25, featuring a mix of Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz. The Nokia G21, conversely, employs the Unisoc T606, with a configuration of 2x Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz and 6x Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz. While the Helio G25 has a higher peak clock speed, the A75 cores in the T606 are significantly more efficient and offer better single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 12nm fabrication process is shared, minimizing process-related performance gaps. The Nokia G21’s architecture is more modern, offering a better user experience.
Battery Life
Both the Honor X5 and Nokia G21 achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Nokia G21 distinguishes itself with 18W wired charging and support for Power Delivery 3.0 (PD3.0). This allows for faster and more efficient charging compared to the Honor X5, which lacks detailed charging specifications. The Nokia G21 can likely achieve a 0-100% charge in a significantly shorter timeframe, a practical advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5 if you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost and are primarily focused on very basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Nokia G21 if you value a more balanced experience with a more efficient processor, faster charging, and a longer-term software support commitment typical of Nokia devices. The G21 is better suited for users who want a phone that can handle a wider range of apps and tasks without significant slowdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc T606 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost over the Honor X5's Helio G25, resulting in a smoother gaming experience, though you shouldn't expect high-end graphics or consistently high frame rates.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the Nokia G21's 18W PD3.0 and the Honor X5's unknown charging rate?
The Nokia G21's 18W PD3.0 charging offers a substantial advantage. PD3.0 allows for dynamic voltage adjustment, optimizing charging efficiency and speed. The Honor X5 likely utilizes a slower, standard charging method, resulting in a significantly longer 0-100% charge time. This is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Given the similar endurance ratings, does the Nokia G21's faster charging make a real-world difference?
Absolutely. While both phones last roughly the same amount of time on a single charge, the Nokia G21's 18W charging allows you to quickly add hours of usage in a short period. This is especially useful if you've forgotten to charge overnight or need a quick boost before heading out.
