The sub-$100 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Nokia C2 and Lava Z4 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, significant differences in their underlying hardware suggest a clear performance gap, making this comparison crucial for budget-conscious buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Lava Z4 is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G35 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over the Nokia C2’s Unisoc processor. While both phones target the entry-level segment, the Z4 provides a smoother, more responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Africa, ME, APAC | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Africa, ME, APAC | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Saudi Arabia | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 16. Released 2020, March 22 | 2021, January 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154.8 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.09 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 164.5 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 161 g (5.68 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 Pie (Go edition) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0 AF |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| 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 | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 270 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 24 h (2G) / Up to 15 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyan, Black | Blue, Red |
| Models | - | S7 |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C2
- Potentially better brand recognition (Nokia)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- May receive more frequent software updates (Nokia's history)
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Less efficient 28nm manufacturing process
- Likely slower app loading times
Lava Z4
- Faster and more efficient Mediatek Helio G35 processor
- Octa-core CPU for improved multitasking
- 12nm manufacturing process for better battery life
- Less established brand reputation (Lava)
- Potentially less frequent software updates
- Build quality may be slightly lower
Display Comparison
Neither Nokia nor Lava provide detailed display specifications. Assuming typical LCD panels for this price bracket, the display experience will likely be similar in terms of color accuracy and viewing angles. However, the more powerful GPU in the Lava Z4 *could* translate to slightly smoother scrolling and animations, even if the resolution and refresh rate are identical. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison. However, the improved image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G35 chipset of the Lava Z4 will likely result in better image processing, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Nokia C2’s Unisoc chipset lacks the dedicated image processing capabilities of the Mediatek equivalent. Expect both phones to struggle with low-light photography and offer limited dynamic range.
Performance
This is where the Lava Z4 decisively pulls ahead. The Unisoc processor in the Nokia C2 is a quad-core unit fabricated on a 28nm process, an older and less efficient technology. In contrast, the Lava Z4 boasts the Mediatek Helio G35, an octa-core processor built on a 12nm process. This means the Z4 benefits from more cores *and* a more advanced manufacturing process, resulting in significantly improved CPU and GPU performance. The Helio G35’s Cortex-A53 cores, while not cutting-edge, are clocked up to 2.3 GHz, compared to the C2’s 1.4 GHz, further widening the performance gap. Users will notice this difference in app loading times, multitasking, and overall system responsiveness.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the more efficient 12nm process of the Helio G35 in the Lava Z4 will likely translate to better battery life, even if both phones have similar capacity batteries. The Z4’s processor consumes less power during operation, allowing it to run longer on a single charge. Charging wattage is also unspecified, suggesting both phones will likely have slow charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C2 if your primary need is a basic, reliable phone for calls, texts, and extremely light app usage, and brand recognition is a priority. You'll be sacrificing performance for a familiar name. Buy the Lava Z4 if you prioritize a more fluid user experience, occasional gaming, and better multitasking capabilities, even within the constraints of the budget segment. The Z4 offers significantly more processing power for a similar price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lava Z4 be able to run popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G35 isn't a gaming powerhouse, the Lava Z4 *can* run PUBG Mobile at lower settings. Expect frame rate dips and occasional lag, but it's playable. The Nokia C2 would struggle significantly with even the lowest settings.
❓ How much storage does each phone offer, and can it be expanded?
Storage capacity isn't specified in the provided data. However, both phones likely offer limited internal storage (around 32GB) and will almost certainly include a microSD card slot for expansion. This is crucial for budget phones as app sizes continue to grow.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
Neither device's Android version is specified. However, given their price point, expect both to run a relatively older version of Android (likely Android 11 or 12) with a simplified user interface to minimize resource usage.
