The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix Hot 20 Play and Nokia G21 both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Hot 20 Play prioritizes processing power with its Helio G37 chipset, while the Nokia G21 emphasizes longevity with its advertised 126-hour endurance rating. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and responsiveness, the Infinix Hot 20 Play is the better choice due to its more powerful Helio G37 chipset. However, if maximizing battery life and a consistently smooth, if less snappy, experience are paramount, the Nokia G21 offers a compelling package.
| 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, 20, 28A, 28, 38, 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, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 13 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 13 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 171 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 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 | 209.6 g (7.41 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 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 | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 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 | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | 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/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Luna Blue, Aurora Green, Fantasy Purple | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | X6825 | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 130 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) |
Infinix Hot 20 Play
- More powerful Helio G37 chipset for gaming
- 5W reverse wired charging for accessories
- Potentially faster app loading times
- Battery life likely shorter than Nokia G21
- Camera specs are unknown, potentially lower quality
Nokia G21
- Excellent 126-hour endurance rating
- PD3.0 fast charging support
- Clean Nokia software experience
- Unisoc T606 chipset less powerful for gaming
- Performance may feel sluggish with demanding apps
Display Comparison
Both the Infinix Hot 20 Play and Nokia G21 feature displays with a 1631:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Nokia G21 explicitly states a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, a crucial metric for outdoor visibility. While the Hot 20 Play’s brightness isn’t specified, the G21’s higher measured brightness gives it an advantage in bright sunlight. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and lack high refresh rates, focusing on efficiency rather than fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. It’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups geared towards social media sharing rather than professional photography. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving more as a marketing feature than a practical tool. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, and Nokia’s generally leans towards more natural tones.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Hot 20 Play’s MediaTek Helio G37 utilizes a combination of Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and 1.8 GHz, geared towards gaming. The Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 employs a big.LITTLE architecture with two Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.6 GHz. The A75 cores in the G21 offer better single-core performance than the A53 cores in the Hot 20 Play, but the G37’s higher clock speeds and GPU likely translate to superior overall gaming performance. The G37 is designed for gaming, while the T606 is more focused on efficiency.
Battery Life
The Nokia G21 boasts an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating excellent battery life for typical usage. Both phones support 18W wired charging, but the Nokia G21 adds PD3.0 support, potentially allowing for faster charging with compatible chargers. The Hot 20 Play also features 5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature for topping up accessories. While the Hot 20 Play’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the G21’s endurance rating suggests a larger battery, prioritizing longevity over quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 20 Play if you need a phone for casual gaming, frequent app switching, and generally demand a more responsive user experience. Its Helio G37 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge. Buy the Nokia G21 if you prioritize extended battery life, appreciate a clean software experience (typical of Nokia), and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T606 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable frame rate. The Infinix Hot 20 Play’s Helio G37 is better suited for gaming and will provide a smoother experience at higher settings.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Nokia G21 from 0% to 100% with an 18W PD3.0 charger?
With an 18W PD3.0 charger, the Nokia G21 should fully charge in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. While 18W isn't exceptionally fast, the PD3.0 support ensures efficient charging and minimizes heat buildup.
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the Infinix Hot 20 Play useful for anything beyond emergencies?
The 5W reverse charging is primarily useful for topping up small accessories like Bluetooth earbuds or a smartwatch in a pinch. It's too slow to significantly charge a phone, but can be a convenient feature for users with multiple devices.
❓ Does either phone receive regular software updates and security patches?
Nokia is known for providing relatively consistent software updates and security patches, even on its budget devices. Infinix’s update schedule is less predictable, and updates may be less frequent. This is a key consideration for users concerned about long-term software support.
