Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The Nokia C20 Plus and Samsung Galaxy F14 are both contenders in the budget segment, but they offer different strengths. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy F14 is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful processor, faster charging, and generally improved features make it a better value despite a potentially slightly higher price. The Nokia C20 Plus is a basic, reliable option for those on a very tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 29, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE-А, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 11 | 2023, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 16 | Available. Released 2023, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 75.9 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) | 166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm (6.57 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.7 g (7.23 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G68 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 13, One UI Core 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4950 mAh, removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Graphite black | Black, Green, Purple |
| Models | TA-1388, TA-1380 | SM-E146B, SM-E146B/DS |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) |
Nokia C20 Plus
- Simple and easy to use
- Durable build quality (typical Nokia)
- Clean Android experience
- Affordable price
- Slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Slow charging
- Limited camera capabilities
Samsung Galaxy F14
- Powerful processor
- Fast charging
- Large and vibrant display
- Improved camera performance
- Modern features
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Samsung's One UI might not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy F14 boasts a larger 6.6-inch FHD+ display, offering a more immersive viewing experience compared to the C20 Plus's smaller and likely lower-resolution screen. Color accuracy and brightness are also expected to be superior on the F14.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer decent camera setups for their price range, the Galaxy F14 is likely to produce better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Exynos 1330's image signal processor (ISP) will contribute to improved detail and dynamic range.
Performance
This is where the Galaxy F14 truly shines. The Exynos 1330 chipset is a generation ahead of the Unisoc SC9863A, delivering significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. Expect noticeable lag on the C20 Plus when handling demanding apps or games.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature large batteries (around 5000mAh), but the Galaxy F14's 25W fast charging provides a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups compared to the C20 Plus's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia C20 Plus? Users prioritizing simplicity, a familiar Nokia interface, and extremely low cost. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy F14? Anyone seeking better performance, a smoother user experience, faster charging, and a more modern feature set within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia C20 Plus good for gaming?
No, the C20 Plus's chipset is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but expect low frame rates and lag.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers longer software update support than Nokia in this price range. Expect more Android version updates and security patches on the Galaxy F14.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both phones support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.