The Infinix Smart 6 and Nokia C21 Plus represent the very bottom of the smartphone price spectrum. Both devices target first-time smartphone buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. With identical Unisoc SC9863A chipsets, the differences lie in software experience, build quality, and brand perception, making a direct comparison crucial for informed purchasing.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a clean software experience and potential for longer software support, the Nokia C21 Plus is the slightly better choice. However, the Infinix Smart 6 may offer a more aggressive price point, making it attractive for those on the tightest of budgets. Performance will be nearly identical.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 26 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 26 | Available. Released 2022, April 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.4 x 9.1 mm (6.52 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 178 g or 191 g (6.28 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000/5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Purple, Ocean Blue, Light Sea Green, Polar Black | Dark Cyan, Warm Gray |
| Models | X6511B, X6511, X6511E | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Smart 6
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer larger storage options
- Infinix's aggressive marketing often leads to promotions
- Software experience may be cluttered with bloatware
- Potentially shorter software update support
- Build quality may be less refined
Nokia C21 Plus
- Cleaner Android Go Edition software
- Nokia's reputation for durability
- Potential for longer software support
- May be slightly more expensive
- Limited performance headroom
- Camera performance likely similar to Infinix
Display Comparison
Both the Infinix Smart 6 and Nokia C21 Plus utilize unspecified display technologies, but given their price point, expect basic IPS LCD panels. The absence of detailed display specifications like brightness (nits) or color gamut coverage suggests neither device will excel in outdoor visibility or color accuracy. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within their respective form factors. The focus here is functionality over fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited by the underlying hardware. While specifications aren't detailed, it's safe to assume both feature basic camera setups. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, as image quality will be significantly lower than the main sensor. Image processing will likely be minimal, relying heavily on software algorithms to enhance photos. Expect acceptable results in well-lit conditions, but poor performance in low light. The aperture of the main sensor, if available, will be a key differentiator, but is currently unknown.
Performance
The core of both devices is the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means performance will be virtually identical in day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and light app usage. The 28nm fabrication process isn’t known for efficiency, so don’t expect stellar performance under sustained loads. RAM capacity, which isn't specified, will be a key determinant of multitasking capability; more RAM will mitigate slowdowns. The shared chipset means thermal management will also be comparable, likely resulting in similar throttling behavior during prolonged use.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix Smart 6 and Nokia C21 Plus support 10W wired charging. Given the likely battery capacities (estimated around 5000mAh based on market segment), a full 0-100% charge will take a considerable amount of time – likely exceeding 3 hours. The efficiency of the Unisoc SC9863A chipset, coupled with the low-resolution displays, should translate to all-day battery life for moderate users. However, heavy usage, such as prolonged video streaming or gaming, will deplete the battery more quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Smart 6 if you need the absolute lowest possible price and are comfortable with a potentially more cluttered software experience. Buy the Nokia C21 Plus if you prefer a cleaner Android Go Edition interface, value Nokia’s reputation for durability, and anticipate receiving more consistent software updates, even if they are minor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A chipset struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Unisoc SC9863A isn't a powerhouse, it's sufficient for running essential apps like WhatsApp and Facebook. Expect some loading times and occasional slowdowns when multitasking, but the core functionality of these apps should be usable. Optimizing app usage and clearing cache regularly will help maintain performance.
❓ Is Android Go Edition on the Nokia C21 Plus a significant advantage?
Android Go Edition is specifically designed for low-end hardware. It uses less storage space, data, and processing power, resulting in a smoother experience on devices like the Nokia C21 Plus. This means faster app launches, improved responsiveness, and better battery life compared to a full-fledged Android installation.
❓ Can either of these phones play PUBG Mobile?
While technically possible to *launch* PUBG Mobile on these phones, the experience will be far from ideal. The Unisoc SC9863A chipset lacks the graphical power to run the game smoothly, even at the lowest settings. Expect significant frame rate drops, lag, and potential crashes. These phones are not designed for gaming.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on the Nokia C21 Plus?
Nokia generally provides longer software support than many other brands in this price segment. While it won't receive major Android version updates, the C21 Plus is likely to receive security patches and minor updates for at least two years, offering a degree of protection against vulnerabilities.
