LG K22 vs. Nokia C1 Plus: A Deep Dive into Two Ultra-Budget Smartphones

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.
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🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names LG K22 Nokia C1 Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International, APAC
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 - International1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 - Brazil1, 3, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Saudi Arabia
Launch
Announced2020, September 12. Released 2020, September 122020, December 15. Released 2021, January 29
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions155.7 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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169.5 g (6.00 oz)146 g (5.15 oz)
 MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions-
Display
Resolution720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density)720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)
Size6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio)5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53Quad-core 1.4 GHz
ChipsetQualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm)-
GPUAdreno 308-
OSAndroid 10Android 10 (Go edition)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM16GB 1GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR
Single-5 MP
Video1080p@30fps720p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-LED flash, HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm5 MP
Video1080p@30fps720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS
RadioFM radio (market/operator dependent)FM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity
Battery
TypeLi-Po 3000 mAhLi-Ion 2500 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsTitan, BlueBlue, Red
ModelsLMK200Z, LMK200E, LMK200B, LM-K200TA-1312
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 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.