Nokia C20 Plus vs Nokia 7.1: A Detailed Comparison

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.
Phones Images

🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia C20 Plus Nokia 7.1
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 29, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 38, 40, 66 - USA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA
Launch
Announced2021, June 112018, October 04. Released 2018, October 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 16Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions165.4 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
Weight204.7 g (7.23 oz)160 g (5.64 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~79.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetUnisoc SC9863A (28 nm)Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm)
GPUIMG8322Adreno 509
OSAndroid 11 (Go edition)Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, Android One
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual8 MP Auxiliary lens12 MP, f/1.8, 1.28µm, dual pixel PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flashZeiss optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Single5 MP-
Video720p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
Single5 MP8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide)
Video720p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired
Stand-by-Up to 408 h (3G)
Talk time-Up to 19 h 30 min (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 4950 mAh, removableLi-Ion 3060 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsOcean Blue, Graphite blackGloss midnight blue, gloss steel
ModelsTA-1388, TA-1380TA-1100, TA-1097, TA-1085, TA-1095, TA-1096
PriceAbout 90 EURAbout 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.