The itel P38 and Nokia C21 Plus represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they take different approaches. The itel P38 focuses on simplicity, while the Nokia C21 Plus attempts to offer a more modern chipset for improved performance. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the best option for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Nokia C21 Plus is the better choice. Its Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor provides a significant performance uplift over the itel P38’s quad-core CPU. However, the itel P38’s simpler design and potentially lower price point may appeal to those with extremely basic needs.
| 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 | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2022, April 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual 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 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000/5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Galaxy Blue, Spruce Green, Nebula Black | Dark Cyan, Warm Gray |
| Models | - | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 |
| Price | - | 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) |
itel P38
- Potentially lower price point
- Simpler user interface
- Faster charging (15W)
- Significantly weaker processor
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Likely slower app loading times
Nokia C21 Plus
- More powerful octa-core processor
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- More efficient chipset
- Slower charging (10W)
- Potentially higher price
- 28nm process node is less efficient
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The absence of detailed display specifications necessitates a focus on the chipset’s ability to drive the UI smoothly. While the itel P38’s display resolution is unknown, the Nokia C21 Plus’s performance benefits from the SC9863A’s graphics processing capabilities, potentially resulting in smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, given their target market. Both will likely feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Nokia C21 Plus’s more powerful chipset could potentially enable slightly better image processing, resulting in marginally improved image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Nokia C21 Plus is unlikely to be a significant selling point, as image quality from such sensors is generally poor.
Performance
The Nokia C21 Plus’s Unisoc SC9863A chipset is the clear winner in terms of raw processing power. Its octa-core configuration (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) significantly outperforms the itel P38’s quad-core 1.3 GHz CPU. The Cortex-A55 cores, while entry-level, offer a more efficient architecture than what’s typically found in phones with similar quad-core processors. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The 28nm process node of the Unisoc chip is less efficient than modern nodes, but the core count advantage outweighs this.
Battery Life
The itel P38’s 15W wired charging is faster than the Nokia C21 Plus’s 10W charging. However, battery life is more than just charging speed. The more efficient Unisoc SC9863A in the Nokia C21 Plus could potentially offset the slower charging, delivering comparable or even better real-world battery endurance. The itel P38’s simpler processor may consume less power, but the Nokia’s ability to handle tasks more efficiently could lead to less overall usage time.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel P38 if you need a phone for absolutely essential tasks – calls, texts, and very light app usage – and prioritize simplicity above all else. It’s ideal for first-time smartphone users or as a backup device. Buy the Nokia C21 Plus if you prefer a phone capable of handling more demanding tasks like social media browsing, light gaming, and running multiple apps simultaneously, offering a more fluid user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia C21 Plus struggle with popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
While the Unisoc SC9863A isn’t a powerhouse, it should handle Facebook and Instagram reasonably well. Expect some occasional slowdowns when multitasking or loading image-heavy content, but the experience should be generally usable. The itel P38 will likely struggle more noticeably with these apps.
❓ Is the Nokia C21 Plus a good choice for playing mobile games?
The Nokia C21 Plus is suitable for very light gaming. Demanding titles will likely be unplayable, or require extremely low graphics settings. The Unisoc SC9863A’s integrated GPU is not designed for intensive gaming. The itel P38 is even less suited for gaming.
❓ Does the itel P38 support all common 4G LTE bands?
This information is not provided in the specifications. However, itel typically targets emerging markets, so band support may be limited. It's crucial to verify compatibility with your carrier before purchasing.
❓ What version of Android does the Nokia C21 Plus run?
The Nokia C21 Plus is part of the Android Go Edition program, meaning it runs a streamlined version of Android designed for devices with limited resources. This helps to improve performance and reduce data usage.
