The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Lenovo K13 Pro and the Nokia C12 Plus. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo K13 Pro clearly takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset. While the Nokia C12 Plus offers Nokia's reliability and clean Android experience, the K13 Pro's performance advantage makes it the better choice for most users.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September | 2023, April 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 29 | Cancelled |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | - |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Unspecified | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint |
| Models | XT2129-3 | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Lenovo K13 Pro
- Significantly better performance
- Likely better camera quality
- Potentially larger/higher resolution display
- Faster charging (15W)
- May have a less refined design compared to Nokia
- Software support might be less consistent than Nokia
Nokia C12 Plus
- Clean Android experience
- Nokia's reputation for reliability
- Potentially more durable build quality
- Guaranteed software updates (though limited)
- Significantly slower performance
- Less capable camera
- Limited app compatibility
- Slower charging
Display Comparison
The Lenovo K13 Pro likely features a slightly larger and potentially higher resolution display than the Nokia C12 Plus, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience. Both are expected to utilize IPS LCD panels, offering decent color accuracy and viewing angles for their price range. Expect both to have a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are often limited on budget devices, the Snapdragon 662 in the K13 Pro generally allows for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance compared to the Unisoc chipset in the C12 Plus. Both are likely to feature a primary rear camera and a depth sensor.
Performance
This is where the Lenovo K13 Pro shines. The Snapdragon 662 is a substantial upgrade over the Unisoc SC9863A1. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother gaming, and better overall responsiveness on the K13 Pro. The C12 Plus will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have battery capacities in the 4000-5000 mAh range, offering all-day battery life for moderate usage. The Lenovo K13 Pro's more efficient chipset might give it a slight edge in battery endurance.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Lenovo K13 Pro? Users prioritizing performance, smoother multitasking, and slightly better camera capabilities. Who should buy the Nokia C12 Plus? Those seeking a dependable, budget-friendly phone with a clean Android experience and Nokia's brand reputation, and who aren't heavily reliant on demanding apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has the better processor?
The Lenovo K13 Pro's Snapdragon 662 is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A1 in the Nokia C12 Plus.
❓ Does Nokia offer better software support?
Nokia is generally known for providing more consistent software updates, although the C12 Plus will likely receive limited updates compared to higher-end devices.
