Nokia C210 vs. Nokia C2 2nd Edition: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Choices

Nokia's C-series aims to deliver affordability without completely sacrificing usability. The C2 2nd Edition represents a baseline entry point, while the C210 introduces Qualcomm's Snapdragon 662 chipset. This comparison dissects the differences to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing performance or pure cost savings.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Nokia C210 is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 662 provides a significantly more responsive experience for everyday tasks and even light gaming, justifying the likely price premium over the C2 2nd Edition. However, those on the absolute tightest budget will find the C2 2nd Edition functional.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia C2 2nd Edition Nokia C210
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900
4G bandsLTELTE
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2022, February 282023, August 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 19Available. Released 2023, September 14
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions154 x 75.9 x 10 mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.39 in)159.5 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.28 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)167.8 g (5.93 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~188 ppi density)720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~273 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.5 GHzOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
Chipset-Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPU-Adreno 610
OSAndroid 11 (Go edition)Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, panoramaLED flash
Single5 MP-
Video720p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash-
Single2 MP5 MP
Video720pYes
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS
RadioWireless FM radioUnspecified
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Features
SensorsAccelerometerYes
Battery
TypeLi-Ion 2400 mAh, removableLi-Ion 3000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDark Blue, Warm GrayGray
ModelsTA-1468, TA-1454-
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 190 EUR
SAR0.52 W/kg (head)     0.68 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.42 W/kg (head)     1.14 W/kg (body)-

Nokia C2 2nd Edition

  • Lowest possible price point
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Functional for basic communication

  • Extremely limited performance
  • Poor multitasking capabilities
  • Unsuitable for gaming or demanding apps

Nokia C210

  • Significantly faster performance with Snapdragon 662
  • Improved multitasking and app loading times
  • Capable of light gaming

  • Higher price than the C2 2nd Edition
  • Still a budget device with limitations
  • Camera quality likely remains basic

Display Comparison

Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, given their market segment. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable. The C210's more powerful chipset *could* translate to better image processing for slightly improved color accuracy, but this is speculative. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, as minimizing these isn't a priority at this price point. Without specific data, it's safe to assume a comparable viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices. It's reasonable to assume both feature a basic rear camera setup. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the C210's image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 662 will likely offer superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction compared to the C2 2nd Edition. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device should be considered marketing features rather than significant photographic assets.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Nokia C2 2nd Edition's quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU is a basic configuration, suitable only for the most lightweight tasks. In contrast, the Nokia C210 boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, an octa-core processor built on an 11nm process. This means four high-performance Kryo 260 Gold cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and four efficiency cores at 1.8 GHz. This architecture allows for smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface. The Snapdragon 662 also includes an Adreno 610 GPU, enabling basic gaming capabilities absent in the C2 2nd Edition. The 11nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained use.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given their similar form factors and target market, battery life is likely comparable. The Snapdragon 662 in the C210 is more power-efficient than the C2 2nd Edition's processor, potentially offsetting any slight difference in battery capacity. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are likely to support slow charging speeds, meaning a full charge will take several hours.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nokia C2 2nd Edition if you need a phone for extremely basic communication – calls, texts, and minimal app usage – and prioritize the lowest possible price. Buy the Nokia C210 if you prefer a smoother, more capable experience for social media, video streaming, and occasional gaming, and are willing to spend a bit more for improved performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Nokia C210 run popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 662 in the C210 provides enough processing power to run Facebook, Instagram, and other popular social media apps with a reasonably smooth experience. The C2 2nd Edition would likely struggle with these apps, exhibiting noticeable lag and slowdown.
❓ Can I play games like PUBG Mobile on the Nokia C210?
While the C210 *can* run PUBG Mobile, it won't be a high-end gaming experience. You'll likely need to use the lowest graphics settings and may still encounter occasional frame drops. The C2 2nd Edition is not suitable for PUBG Mobile.
❓ How much storage does each phone have, and can it be expanded?
Storage details are not provided. However, both devices likely offer limited internal storage (e.g., 32GB) and support microSD card expansion, which is crucial for storing photos, videos, and apps.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
Both devices likely run a near-stock version of Android Go Edition, optimized for low-end hardware. This helps to conserve resources and provide a smoother experience on limited hardware.