Infinix Hot 11 vs Nokia G21: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Choices

The Infinix Hot 11 and Nokia G21 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential features at a low price point, but they take different approaches. The Hot 11 prioritizes processing power with its MediaTek Helio G70, while the G21 focuses on longevity with its 126-hour endurance rating and 18W PD3.0 charging. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and responsiveness, the Infinix Hot 11 emerges as the better choice due to its more powerful Helio G70 chipset. However, the Nokia G21 is the superior option for those who value extended battery life and reliable, albeit slower, charging, making it ideal for minimal users.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Hot 11 Nokia G21
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2021, September 172022, February 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 21Available. Released 2022, February 15
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.7 x 76.2 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in)164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight201 g (7.09 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm)Unisoc T606 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G52 2EEMC2Mali-G57 MP1
OSAndroid 11, XOS 7.6Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)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
Video1440p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1440p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging-18W wired, PD3.0
Type5200 mAhLi-Po 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver Wave, Purple, Emerald Green, Polar BlackNordic Blue, Dusk
ModelsX662, X662B, X689FTA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412
PriceAbout 110 EURAbout 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)

Infinix Hot 11

  • More powerful processor for gaming and multitasking
  • Potentially better app loading speeds
  • Likely better suited for demanding applications

  • Likely shorter battery life due to more powerful processor
  • Unknown display specifications
  • Camera details are vague

Nokia G21

  • Exceptional battery life (126h endurance)
  • 18W PD3.0 charging for wider compatibility
  • Measured 500 nits brightness for outdoor visibility

  • Less powerful processor for gaming and multitasking
  • Unisoc T606 may struggle with demanding apps
  • Camera details are vague

Display Comparison

Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond the Nokia G21’s measured 500 nits of brightness and 1631:1 contrast ratio. While the contrast ratio is nominal for both, the G21’s measured brightness suggests a more visible screen outdoors. Without knowing the panel type or resolution of the Hot 11, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles. The Nokia G21’s brightness provides a tangible advantage for outdoor visibility, a common pain point in 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 rely on software optimization rather than superior hardware. Without further information, it’s impossible to determine a clear winner. The absence of details points to a focus on affordability over camera quality, meaning users shouldn’t expect flagship-level image performance from either device. The lack of mention of OIS on either device suggests image stabilization will be limited.

Performance

The Infinix Hot 11’s MediaTek Helio G70, with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, offers a clear performance advantage over the Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55). The higher clock speeds of the G70’s prime cores translate to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both chipsets are 12nm, the G70’s architecture is optimized for gaming, making it the better choice for mobile gamers. The Unisoc T606 in the G21 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Nokia G21 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. Coupled with its 18W wired charging and PD3.0 support, it offers a reliable charging experience. While the Infinix Hot 11’s battery capacity is unknown, its more powerful processor will likely consume more power, potentially offsetting any capacity advantage. The G21’s PD3.0 support is a welcome addition, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of chargers and potentially faster charging speeds with compatible adapters.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Hot 11 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming and multitasking without significant lag. It’s best for younger users or those who frequently consume media. Buy the Nokia G21 if you prioritize battery life above all else, and primarily use your phone for calls, texts, and light browsing. It’s ideal for users who want a dependable device that won’t require daily charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 struggle with popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram?
While the Unisoc T606 can handle basic social media browsing, prolonged use of apps like TikTok and Instagram, especially with video recording, may result in noticeable lag and slowdowns. The processor is designed for efficiency, not intensive tasks.
❓ Does the Infinix Hot 11 get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio G70 is known to generate some heat under sustained load. While not extreme, the Infinix Hot 11 may become warm to the touch during extended gaming sessions. Thermal throttling could occur, potentially reducing performance over time.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Nokia G21 fast enough to quickly top up the battery during a short break?
18W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. While it will charge the phone overnight, a quick top-up during a short break will only provide a limited amount of additional battery life. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours.
❓ What type of storage does the Nokia G21 use, and is it expandable?
Unfortunately, the storage type and expandability of the Nokia G21 are not specified in the provided data. However, given its budget positioning, it likely uses eMMC storage and includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage, but this is not confirmed.