Nokia's C-series and G-series represent their entry into the highly competitive budget smartphone market. The C110 and G21 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an affordable price, but they take different approaches. The C110 prioritizes a compact form factor and basic functionality, while the G21 focuses on extended battery life and faster charging. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia G21 is the better choice. While both phones share a similar price point, the G21’s Unisoc T606 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the C110’s Helio P22, coupled with significantly faster 18W charging and a comparable battery endurance rating. The C110’s appeal is limited to those prioritizing extreme portability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, June 02 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 14 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 74 x 8.5 mm (6.33 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~273 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 5W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | N156DL | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.7 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 171299 (v9)
GeekBench: 1193 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Nokia C110
- Potentially more compact form factor (not confirmed by data)
- Lower price point (likely, but not confirmed)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Extremely slow 5W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
Nokia G21
- More powerful Unisoc T606 chipset
- Faster 18W charging with PD3.0
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially larger and less pocketable
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera performance likely similar to C110
Display Comparison
Both the Nokia C110 and G21 feature displays with a 1631:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the G21 boasts a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, a significant advantage over the C110’s unspecified brightness. This means the G21 will be far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While neither phone is likely to offer exceptional color accuracy, the G21’s higher brightness provides a superior viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given the budget nature of these phones, expectations should be tempered. The absence of any mention of optical image stabilization (OIS) suggests both rely on digital stabilization, which can introduce artifacts. Without further information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the G21’s chipset may offer slightly better image processing capabilities.
Performance
The Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 chipset represents a clear upgrade over the C110’s MediaTek Helio P22. The T606 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, while the P22 relies solely on four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. Despite the higher clock speed of the P22’s cores, the newer architecture of the T606, particularly the inclusion of the A75 cores, translates to better real-world performance in multitasking and app loading. The G21 is likely to handle more demanding applications with greater ease. Both phones are likely limited by RAM configurations not specified in the provided data, but the chipset difference is the dominant factor.
Battery Life
Both the Nokia C110 and G21 achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the G21’s 18W wired charging with PD3.0 support is a game-changer compared to the C110’s sluggish 5W charging. The G21 can significantly reduce charging times, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor, offsetting any potential minor differences in battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C110 if you absolutely need the smallest possible Nokia smartphone and your usage is limited to very basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Nokia G21 if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, longer battery life, and the convenience of faster charging, making it suitable for everyday use and moderate multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 powerful enough for gaming?
The Unisoc T606 is capable of handling casual gaming, but it's not a powerhouse. Expect to play less demanding titles smoothly, but more graphically intensive games may require lower settings and frame rates. It's a significant step up from the Helio P22 in the C110, offering a more playable experience overall.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to charge the Nokia G21 from 0% to 100%?
With 18W PD3.0 charging, the Nokia G21 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2-3 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is a substantial improvement over the C110, which could take upwards of 6-8 hours with its 5W charger.
❓ Does the Nokia C110 support any form of fast charging?
No, the Nokia C110 is limited to 5W wired charging. This is a very slow charging speed and will take a considerable amount of time to fully replenish the battery.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on these phones?
The provided data does not specify storage options. However, based on the market segment, both phones likely offer limited internal storage (32GB or 64GB) with microSD card support for expansion. Check retailer listings for specific configurations.
