The LG K22 and Nokia C1 Plus represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market, targeting users who prioritize affordability above all else. Both devices aim to provide essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with significantly different approaches to processing power. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which offers the better experience for basic communication and light usage.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user needing a functional, albeit basic, smartphone, the LG K22 edges out the Nokia C1 Plus. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 215, despite its age, provides a slightly more refined experience than the Nokia’s unspecified quad-core processor, offering a marginal performance advantage for app loading and multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International, APAC |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 - International | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 - Brazil | 1, 3, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Saudi Arabia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 12. Released 2020, September 12 | 2020, December 15. Released 2021, January 29 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.13 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 149.1 x 71.2 x 8.8 mm (5.87 x 2.80 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169.5 g (6.00 oz) | 146 g (5.15 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | - |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio (market/operator dependent) | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titan, Blue | Blue, Red |
| Models | LMK200Z, LMK200E, LMK200B, LM-K200 | TA-1312 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 70 EUR |
LG K22
- Slightly better performance due to Snapdragon 215
- Known chipset with established driver support
- Potentially more stable software experience
- Older chipset technology
- Likely limited software updates
- Basic camera capabilities
Nokia C1 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Simpler user experience
- May offer longer battery life due to lower power consumption
- Unknown chipset performance
- Potential for software instability
- Limited app compatibility
Display Comparison
Neither the LG K22 nor the Nokia C1 Plus are expected to deliver a premium display experience. Specific display details (resolution, panel type) are unavailable for the Nokia C1 Plus, suggesting a very basic LCD panel. The LG K22 likely features a similar low-resolution LCD. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic readability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within their budget constraints.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be extremely limited. Details are scarce, but both are likely to feature basic sensors primarily suitable for capturing snapshots in good lighting conditions. Expect significant noise and lack of detail in low-light scenarios. Any marketing around camera capabilities should be viewed with extreme skepticism. The absence of details suggests neither phone prioritizes camera quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The LG K22 utilizes the Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215, a 28nm processor with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.3 GHz. This is a known quantity, offering a baseline level of Android performance. The Nokia C1 Plus, conversely, features a quad-core processor clocked at 1.4 GHz, but lacks a specific chipset designation. Without knowing the architecture or manufacturer, it's difficult to assess its capabilities. The 28nm process of the Snapdragon 215, while older, is a mature technology, potentially offering better stability than an unknown, newer process. The slightly higher clock speed of the Nokia’s CPU doesn’t necessarily translate to better performance without knowing the underlying architecture.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given their low-power chipsets and basic displays, both the LG K22 and Nokia C1 Plus should be capable of lasting a full day on a single charge with moderate use. Charging speeds are also unknown, but likely to be slow due to the use of older charging standards and low-wattage chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K22 if you need a phone that can handle slightly more demanding tasks like basic social media browsing and light web surfing without significant lag. The Snapdragon 215 chipset offers a small but noticeable performance boost. Buy the Nokia C1 Plus if your primary needs are limited to calls, texts, and very occasional use of basic apps, and you prioritize simplicity and potentially longer battery life due to the less powerful processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the LG K22 run popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
The LG K22, with its Snapdragon 215, should be able to run WhatsApp and Facebook, but expect some lag when switching between apps or loading media. These apps are optimized for low-end hardware, but the K22's performance is still limited.
❓ Is the Nokia C1 Plus a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the Nokia C1 Plus is well-suited for basic communication. Its quad-core processor should be sufficient for making calls, sending texts, and using the phone's core functions without significant issues. However, don't expect a smooth experience with anything beyond these basic tasks.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on either device?
Software update support is likely to be limited on both devices. Given their price point and target market, neither LG nor Nokia are likely to provide extensive software updates or security patches. Expect a single major Android update at best.