Looking for an affordable Nokia smartphone? The C21 Plus and G21 are both strong contenders in the budget segment, offering reliable performance and the Nokia brand's reputation. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G21 emerges as the clear winner. While the C21 Plus is a decent budget option, the G21's superior chipset, faster charging, brighter display, and exceptional battery life provide significantly better value for money. It's a noticeable upgrade.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 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 |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 28 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 29 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g or 191 g (6.28 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | Splash protection | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000/5050 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Warm Gray | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.7 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 171299 (v9)
GeekBench: 1193 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Nokia C21 Plus
- Affordable
- Reliable brand
- Decent battery life
- Slow performance
- Dim display
- Slow charging
- Older chipset
Nokia G21
- Exceptional battery life
- Faster charging (18W PD3.0)
- Brighter display
- Better performance
- Modern chipset
- Still a budget phone (some compromises)
- Camera quality could be better
Display Comparison
The Nokia G21 boasts a brighter display (500 nits measured) compared to the C21 Plus, offering better visibility in sunlight. Both have a high contrast ratio (1631:1), ensuring deep blacks and vibrant colors, but the G21's brightness gives it a noticeable edge. The C21 Plus display is adequate but lacks the punch of the G21.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the G21 generally produces slightly better image quality due to its more capable chipset and potentially better image processing algorithms. Low-light performance is also likely to be improved on the G21. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are not readily available for either device, making a definitive comparison difficult, but the G21 is expected to perform better.
Performance
The Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 is a significant upgrade over the C21 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A. The G21's chipset utilizes a more efficient architecture with Cortex-A75 cores, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. The C21 Plus feels noticeably slower, especially when handling demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Nokia G21's standout feature is its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 126 hours. This is significantly better than the C21 Plus, which, while offering decent battery life, doesn't come close to the G21's longevity. The G21's 18W charging is also faster than the C21 Plus's 10W.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia C21 Plus? Those on the absolute tightest budget who prioritize simplicity and a basic smartphone experience. Who should buy the Nokia G21? Anyone seeking a reliable, long-lasting smartphone with a better display and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Unisoc SC9863A and Unisoc T606 chipsets?
The Unisoc T606 is a more modern and powerful chipset with a more efficient architecture, including Cortex-A75 cores for improved performance compared to the older and less powerful SC9863A.
❓ Is the Nokia G21 worth the extra cost over the C21 Plus?
Yes, the Nokia G21 is generally worth the extra cost due to its significantly better performance, brighter display, faster charging, and exceptional battery life. It offers a much more enjoyable user experience.
