The Nokia C1 2nd Edition and the Infinix Smart HD 2021 represent the very bottom of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver basic smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price point, but they achieve this with different hardware approaches. This comparison will dissect those differences to determine which device offers the best experience for the money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly smoother experience, the Infinix Smart HD 2021 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio A20 chipset, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Nokia C1’s Unisoc SC7731e, despite both utilizing quad-core Cortex-A series CPUs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 05 | 2020, December 16. Released 2020, December 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 148 x 71.8 x 9.3 mm (5.83 x 2.83 x 0.37 in) | 158.3 x 75.2 x 9.8 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 154 g (5.43 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC7731e | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10 (Go edition), XOS 6.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Purple | Topaz Blue, Obsidian Black, Quartz Green |
| Models | TA-1380 | X612B, X612 |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) | - |
Nokia C1 2nd Edition
- Potentially longer software support from Nokia
- Established brand reputation for reliability
- Compact and easy to handle
- Significantly slower processor
- Less efficient chipset architecture
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Infinix Smart HD 2021
- Faster and more efficient processor
- More responsive user experience
- Better value for the price
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially shorter software support lifecycle
- Build quality may be less premium
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely feature basic IPS LCD panels with resolutions around 720x1440 pixels, typical for this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specifications makes direct comparison difficult. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather basic readability. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Both are likely to feature a primary camera around 8MP, accompanied by a basic VGA front camera. The Infinix may include a secondary 2MP depth sensor, but its utility is questionable. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and lack of detail in low light. The focus should be on capturing memories, not professional-quality photos. The aperture sizes are likely similar, meaning low-light performance will be comparable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Smart HD 2021’s Mediatek Helio A20 (12nm) operates at 1.8 GHz, offering a significant clock speed advantage over the Nokia C1 2nd Edition’s Unisoc SC7731e (1.3 GHz). Crucially, the Helio A20 utilizes Cortex-A53 cores, which are architecturally more efficient than the Cortex-A7 cores found in the Unisoc chip. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Infinix, even with similar RAM configurations (assumed to be 2GB in both cases). The 12nm manufacturing process of the Helio A20 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life under load.
Battery Life
Both devices likely house batteries around 3000-4000 mAh. While the exact capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Mediatek Helio A20 in the Infinix Smart HD 2021 will likely translate to longer real-world battery life, despite potentially having a similar battery size to the Nokia C1. Charging speeds are expected to be slow on both, likely utilizing Micro-USB, and a full charge will take several hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C1 2nd Edition if you prioritize brand reliability and a potentially longer software support lifecycle, even if it means sacrificing performance. It’s ideal for users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and very light app usage. Buy the Infinix Smart HD 2021 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, even for basic tasks, and are comfortable with a brand that’s rapidly gaining market share. This is the better option for those who occasionally browse the web or use social media apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart HD 2021 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Helio A20 isn't a powerhouse, it's sufficient for running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly. You might experience some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously, but for basic social media usage, it should be adequate. The Nokia C1 2nd Edition will likely exhibit more noticeable lag.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC7731e in the Nokia C1 2nd Edition suitable for gaming?
The Unisoc SC7731e is not designed for gaming. While you might be able to play very basic 2D games, demanding titles will be unplayable due to the limited processing power and graphics capabilities. The Infinix Smart HD 2021 offers a slight improvement, but still isn't a gaming device.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
Both devices likely run Android Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited RAM and storage. This helps to optimize performance and reduce data usage. While it offers a streamlined experience, it also means some features found in the full Android version may be missing.
❓ How much storage do these phones have, and is it expandable?
Both phones likely come with 16GB of internal storage, which is quite limited. Fortunately, both devices support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 32GB or 64GB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps.
