The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Nokia C2 2nd Edition and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Redmi 9A Sport prioritizing processing power while the Nokia C2 2nd Edition focuses on a streamlined experience. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G25 chipset, with its octa-core configuration, provides a significantly more fluid experience than the Nokia C2 2nd Edition’s quad-core processor. While the Nokia offers a simple Android experience, the performance gap is too substantial to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 28 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 19 | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 154 x 75.9 x 10 mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.39 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~188 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2400 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Warm Gray | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | TA-1468, TA-1454 | - |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) | - |
Nokia C2 2nd Edition
- Potentially cleaner Android experience (depending on software version)
- Simple and easy to use
- Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)
- Significantly slower performance
- Likely lower-resolution display
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- Faster and more responsive performance
- Octa-core processor for smoother multitasking
- More capable for casual gaming
- MIUI interface may include ads and bloatware
- Slower 10W charging
- Camera quality likely similar to Nokia
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. The Nokia C2 2nd Edition’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market segment, it likely features a basic LCD panel. The Redmi 9A Sport also utilizes an LCD, but the focus here isn’t on visual fidelity. The absence of details like peak brightness or color gamut suggests both are geared towards functional viewing rather than immersive experiences. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Both devices likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information for the Nokia C2 2nd Edition, it’s safe to assume it utilizes a low-resolution primary sensor. The Redmi 9A Sport’s camera specifications are also not detailed, but given its positioning, it likely features a similar setup. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and a lack of detail in low-light scenarios. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors in this segment is likely, but their utility is limited due to their low resolution.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 9A Sport truly shines. Its Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 chipset, built on a 12nm process, features an octa-core CPU configuration – four cores clocked at 2.0 GHz (Cortex-A53) and four at 1.5 GHz (Cortex-A53). This contrasts sharply with the Nokia C2 2nd Edition’s quad-core 1.5 GHz processor. The octa-core design and higher clock speeds of the Helio G25 translate to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. While neither chipset is a gaming powerhouse, the Redmi 9A Sport will handle casual games with far greater ease. The 12nm process also contributes to better power efficiency compared to potentially older, larger-node processes used in the Nokia.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details for the Nokia C2 2nd Edition are unavailable. The Redmi 9A Sport supports 10W wired charging. While 10W is slow by modern standards, it’s typical for this price range. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the more efficient Helio G25 chipset in the Redmi 9A Sport may offer slightly better endurance despite potentially having a similar battery capacity to the Nokia. The slower charging speed means a full charge will take a considerable amount of time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C2 2nd Edition if you need a supremely basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage, and value a clean, uncluttered Android experience. It’s ideal for first-time smartphone users or those seeking a durable, no-frills device. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if you prefer a phone capable of handling more demanding tasks like social media browsing, video streaming, and casual gaming, and don't mind a slightly more feature-rich (and potentially ad-supported) MIUI interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9A Sport struggle with popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
While the Redmi 9A Sport isn't a powerhouse, its Helio G25 chipset and octa-core CPU are sufficient to run Facebook and Instagram smoothly. You may experience some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously, but for typical social media usage, it should perform adequately.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Redmi 9A Sport painfully slow?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow compared to modern fast-charging standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours. However, it's typical for phones in this price range, and overnight charging is a viable solution.
❓ Can the Nokia C2 2nd Edition handle video calls like WhatsApp or Zoom?
The Nokia C2 2nd Edition can technically handle video calls, but the experience may be laggy and unreliable due to its limited processing power. Expect dropped frames and potential audio issues, especially with a poor internet connection.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport's MIUI software come with a lot of pre-installed bloatware?
MIUI is known for including pre-installed apps (bloatware). While some can be uninstalled, others may remain. This is a common trade-off for the features and customization options MIUI offers.
