Looking for an affordable Nokia smartphone? The C12 Plus and G21 are both strong contenders in the budget segment, offering reliable performance and the Nokia brand's reputation. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G21 emerges as the stronger choice overall. While the C12 Plus is a budget option, the G21's superior chipset, faster charging, and slightly better display provide a more refined user experience, justifying its slightly higher price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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, April 01 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, 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 | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | - | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 90 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 C12 Plus
- Extremely affordable
- Long battery life
- Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Basic display
- Limited camera capabilities
Nokia G21
- Better performance
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (18W)
- Good battery life
- More refined user experience
- Slightly more expensive than C12 Plus
- Camera still basic
Display Comparison
The Nokia G21 boasts a slightly brighter display (500 nits measured) compared to the C12 Plus, offering better visibility in sunlight. Both have a high contrast ratio (1631:1), ensuring deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, the G21's display feels more responsive and visually appealing.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic camera setups. While specific megapixel counts are not readily available, the G21's more powerful processor likely contributes to slightly better image processing and overall photo quality. Low-light performance is expected to be similar, and not exceptional on either device.
Performance
The Nokia G21's Unisoc T606 chipset (12nm) is significantly more powerful than the C12 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm). The G21's Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable boost in performance for multitasking and demanding apps. The C12 Plus will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with heavier workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones are known for excellent battery life. The Nokia G21 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours, and the C12 Plus is also expected to offer multi-day battery life. The G21's 18W fast charging is a significant advantage over the C12 Plus's slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia C12 Plus? Ideal for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and long battery life. Who should buy the Nokia G21? Recommended for those seeking a more balanced experience with better performance, a brighter display, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia C12 Plus good for gaming?
The Nokia C12 Plus's chipset is not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but expect low frame rates and potential lag.
❓ How does the Nokia G21's charging speed compare to other phones?
The 18W charging is decent for a budget phone, but not as fast as some flagship devices. It still provides a noticeable improvement over the C12 Plus's charging speed.
