Nokia offers a range of smartphones catering to different budgets. The C12 Plus sits firmly in the entry-level segment, while the XR21 aims for a more rugged and feature-rich experience. But which one is right for you? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia XR21 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, faster charging, and rugged design offer significantly better performance and durability than the C12 Plus. While the C12 Plus is cheaper, the XR21 provides much better value for money.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 01 | 2023, May 03 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2023, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | - | 231 g (8.15 oz) |
| | - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | Unspecified |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4 (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, PD2.0, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Midnight Black, Pine Green |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 570 EUR |
Nokia C12 Plus
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight design
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Slow charging
- Basic camera
Nokia XR21
- Powerful processor
- 5G connectivity
- Rugged design
- Fast charging
- Good camera
- More expensive than C12 Plus
- Potentially larger and heavier
Display Comparison
The Nokia C12 Plus features a 6.3-inch HD+ display, offering adequate clarity for everyday use. The XR21 boasts a 6.43-inch FHD+ display, providing a sharper and more vibrant viewing experience. The XR21's higher resolution and potentially better color accuracy give it a noticeable edge.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia C12 Plus typically features a basic dual-camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth). The XR21 usually has a 64MP main camera and a 5MP ultrawide, offering better image quality, especially in low light. The XR21 also likely has improved video recording capabilities.
Performance
Here's where the XR21 truly shines. The Snapdragon 695 5G is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A1. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the XR21. The C12 Plus will struggle with demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have around 5000mAh batteries. However, the XR21's 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the C12 Plus's likely slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia C12 Plus? Those on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else and need basic smartphone functionality. Who should buy the Nokia XR21? Users seeking a durable phone with decent performance, 5G connectivity, and faster charging, willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia XR21 waterproof?
The Nokia XR21 is designed to be rugged and often features an IP68 rating, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to a certain depth and duration.
❓ Can the Nokia C12 Plus handle basic social media apps?
Yes, the Nokia C12 Plus can handle basic social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, but performance may be slow with multiple apps open.
