Nokia C2 2nd Edition vs Nokia 1.3: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

Looking for an affordable smartphone that won't break the bank? The Nokia C2 2nd Edition and Nokia 1.3 are both contenders in the budget segment, offering essential features at attractive price points. But which one delivers the better overall experience?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia 1.3 edges out the C2 2nd Edition thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset and generally better software optimization, resulting in smoother performance. Both are basic phones, but the 1.3 offers a marginally better user experience for the price.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia C2 2nd Edition Nokia 1.3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2022, February 282020, March 19. Released 2020, April 02
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 19Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions154 x 75.9 x 10 mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.39 in)147.3 x 71.2 x 9.4 mm (5.80 x 2.80 x 0.37 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)155 g (5.47 oz)
Display
Resolution480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~188 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio)5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.5 GHzQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53
Chipset-Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm)
GPU-Adreno 308
OSAndroid 11 (Go edition)Android 10 (Go edition), upgradable to Android 11 (Go edition), Android One
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM16GB 1GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panoramaLED flash, HDR
Single5 MP8 MP, (wide), AF
Video720p@30fps720p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash-
Single2 MP5 MP
Video720p720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsAccelerometerAccelerometer, proximity
Battery
TypeLi-Ion 2400 mAh, removableLi-Po 3000 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsDark Blue, Warm GrayCyan, Charcoal, Sand
ModelsTA-1468, TA-1454TA-1216, TA-1205
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 170 EUR
SAR0.52 W/kg (head)     0.68 W/kg (body)0.64 W/kg (head)     1.17 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.42 W/kg (head)     1.14 W/kg (body)0.38 W/kg (head)     0.86 W/kg (body)

Nokia C2 2nd Edition

  • Slightly larger screen
  • Affordable price
  • Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)

  • Lower performance
  • Smaller battery
  • Basic camera

Nokia 1.3

  • Better performance (Snapdragon 215)
  • Longer battery life
  • Compact design

  • Smaller screen
  • Basic camera
  • Limited storage

Display Comparison

Both phones feature small, basic LCD displays. The C2 2nd Edition has a slightly larger 5.7-inch screen compared to the 1.3's 5.45-inch display. Expect similar resolution and color accuracy – neither excels in this area.

Camera Comparison

Both phones have basic cameras. The Nokia 1.3 typically features an 8MP rear camera, while the C2 2nd Edition has a similar resolution. Image quality is adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but don't expect stellar results.

Performance

The Nokia 1.3's Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 chipset, while clocked slightly lower at 1.3 GHz, often performs better than the C2 2nd Edition's unnamed quad-core 1.5 GHz processor due to Qualcomm's optimization. Expect slightly smoother app loading and navigation on the 1.3.

Battery Life

The Nokia 1.3 boasts a larger 4000mAh battery compared to the C2 2nd Edition's 3000mAh. This translates to noticeably longer battery life on the 1.3, easily lasting a full day with moderate use.

Buying Guide

The Nokia C2 2nd Edition is ideal for users who prioritize a slightly larger screen and basic calling/texting functionality. The Nokia 1.3 is a better choice for those needing a bit more performance for light social media use and occasional photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What operating system do these phones use?
Both phones run a Go edition of Android, optimized for low-powered devices. This means a lighter, faster experience with fewer pre-installed apps.
❓ How much storage do these phones offer?
Both typically offer limited storage (16GB or 32GB), but both support microSD card expansion for additional storage.