Nokia has a reputation for reliable and affordable smartphones. The C20 Plus and 7.1 represent different ends of that spectrum. This comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and value to help you decide which Nokia is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia 7.1 is the clear winner. While the C20 Plus is a budget-friendly option, the 7.1 boasts a significantly faster processor, better camera, and faster charging. It offers a much smoother and more enjoyable user experience despite being an older model.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 29, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 38, 40, 66 - USA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 11 | 2018, October 04. Released 2018, October 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 16 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 75.9 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) | 149.7 x 71.2 x 8 mm (5.89 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.7 g (7.23 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~79.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP
Auxiliary lens | 12 MP, f/1.8, 1.28µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | Zeiss optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 408 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 19 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 4950 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3060 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Graphite black | Gloss midnight blue, gloss steel |
| Models | TA-1388, TA-1380 | TA-1100, TA-1097, TA-1085, TA-1095, TA-1096 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.26 W/kg (head) 1.74 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -94.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 80h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1300:1 (nominal), 2.804 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 75dB / Noise 76dB / Ring 81dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 117175 (v7)
GeekBench: 4975 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -94.4dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 80h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1300:1 (nominal), 2.804 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 75dB / Noise 76dB / Ring 81dB |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 117175 (v7)
GeekBench: 4975 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Nokia C20 Plus
- Extremely affordable
- Reliable brand
- Decent battery life
- Slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Slow charging
- Basic camera
Nokia 7.1
- Faster processor
- Better display
- Improved camera
- Fast charging
- Good battery life
- Older model
- May lack latest software updates
- Price higher than C20 Plus
Display Comparison
The Nokia 7.1 features a 6.0-inch Full HD+ display with a 1300:1 contrast ratio and excellent sunlight readability (2.804). The C20 Plus likely has a smaller, lower-resolution display, typical for its price point. The 7.1's display offers a significantly sharper and more vibrant viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities listed, the Nokia 7.1 is expected to have a superior camera system. It likely features a dual-camera setup with better image processing, resulting in higher-quality photos and videos compared to the C20 Plus's likely single-lens setup.
Performance
The Nokia 7.1's Snapdragon 636 chipset and Octa-core Kryo 260 processor provide a noticeable performance boost over the C20 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the 7.1.
Battery Life
Both phones are listed with an endurance rating of 80h. However, the Nokia 7.1's 18W fast charging offers a significant advantage over the C20 Plus's 10W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C20 Plus is ideal for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. The Nokia 7.1 is a better choice for those who want a smoother experience, a better camera, and faster charging, even if it's a slightly older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia C20 Plus good for gaming?
No, the C20 Plus's processor is not powerful enough for demanding games. It's best suited for basic apps and light usage.
❓ Will the Nokia 7.1 receive software updates?
As an older model, software updates for the Nokia 7.1 may be limited. However, Nokia typically provides security updates for a reasonable period.