The Nokia C2 Tennen and C200 represent Nokia’s continued commitment to the ultra-budget smartphone segment. While appearing nearly identical on paper, a closer look at their underlying silicon reveals a minor, yet potentially impactful, difference in manufacturing process. This comparison dissects the nuances between the 16nm Helio A22 in the Tennen and the 12nm version in the C200, determining if the upgrade justifies a potential price difference.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing absolute affordability, the Nokia C200 offers a marginal advantage due to its more efficient 12nm Helio A22 chipset. This translates to slightly better thermal performance and potentially longer battery life under sustained load. However, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday tasks, making the C2 Tennen a viable option if priced significantly lower.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 41, 66, 71 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 12 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE, Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (2CA) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 29. Released 2020, June 15 | 2022, January 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, Q2 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 150.6 x 72.4 x 9.1 mm (5.93 x 2.85 x 0.36 in) | 156.5 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm (6.16 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 172.5 g (6.10 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (16 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 500 entries | - |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, AF
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | VGA | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | Yes | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 240 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 3 h | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Steel | Meteor Black |
| Models | - | TA-1437, TA-1510 |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.11 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C2 Tennen
- Potentially lower price point
- Identical CPU performance for short tasks
- Reliable for basic smartphone functions
- Less power efficient due to 16nm process
- May experience more thermal throttling under load
- Potentially shorter battery life
Nokia C200
- More power-efficient 12nm Helio A22
- Slightly better sustained performance
- Potentially longer battery life
- Likely a higher price tag
- Performance gains are marginal
- Still limited by the Helio A22 chipset
Display Comparison
Both the Nokia C2 Tennen and C200 are expected to feature similar, low-resolution displays, likely around 6.5 inches with a 720p+ resolution. Given their price point, panel technology is almost certainly TFT LCD. Neither device is expected to boast high brightness levels or color accuracy. The focus here is purely on functionality, not visual fidelity. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both models, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be basic. Expect a primary camera, likely 8MP or 5MP, and potentially a secondary depth sensor. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions but will struggle in low light. The 12nm process in the C200 *might* allow for slightly faster image processing, but the impact will be minimal. Focusing on the sensor size and lens aperture would be more impactful than the chipset difference in determining camera quality, but this information is unavailable.
Performance
The core of the comparison lies in the chipset. Both devices utilize the Mediatek Helio A22, a quad-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz using Cortex-A53 cores. However, the C200 benefits from a more refined 12nm manufacturing process compared to the C2 Tennen’s 16nm process. This smaller node allows for greater transistor density and, crucially, improved power efficiency. While the CPU performance will be virtually identical for short bursts, the C200 should exhibit less thermal throttling during prolonged tasks, maintaining a more consistent clock speed. RAM configurations are likely to be similar, further minimizing performance disparities.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 10W wired charging. Battery capacity is not specified, but both are likely to house a 3000mAh or 4000mAh battery. The 12nm Helio A22 in the C200 will contribute to improved power efficiency, potentially extending battery life by a small margin – perhaps 5-10% under moderate usage. However, the actual battery life will heavily depend on user habits and app usage patterns. The 10W charging will result in relatively slow charging times for both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C2 Tennen if you need a functional smartphone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light app usage – and are on the tightest of budgets. The C2 Tennen is ideal for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup device. Buy the Nokia C200 if you anticipate slightly heavier usage, such as occasional social media browsing or light gaming, and value the potential for improved efficiency and slightly better sustained performance, even if the cost is a bit higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will I notice a difference in performance between the C2 Tennen and C200 when using apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
For typical social media usage, the performance difference between the two devices will be negligible. Both the 16nm and 12nm Helio A22 chipsets are capable of handling these apps without significant lag. The 12nm chip in the C200 might feel slightly smoother during multitasking, but the difference will be subtle.
❓ Does the Nokia C200 get significantly hotter than the C2 Tennen during extended gaming sessions?
While both devices are not designed for intensive gaming, the Nokia C200’s 12nm Helio A22 will generate less heat under sustained load compared to the 16nm version in the C2 Tennen. This means the C200 is less likely to experience significant thermal throttling, potentially maintaining a more consistent frame rate for a longer period.
❓ Is the difference in battery life between the two phones substantial enough to matter for everyday use?
The difference in battery life is expected to be modest, likely in the range of 5-10% in favor of the C200. This translates to potentially an extra 30-60 minutes of usage on a single charge, depending on your usage patterns. For light users, this difference may not be noticeable, but it could be beneficial for those who frequently use their phone throughout the day.
