The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Nokia C21 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A14. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 is the clear winner. While the Nokia C21 Plus offers a familiar Nokia build, the A14’s superior processor, better camera, and faster charging make it a more compelling choice for most users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 28 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 29 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g or 191 g (6.28 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| | Splash protection | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version AOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version B |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| 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 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000/5050 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Warm Gray | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | About 120 EUR | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C21 Plus
- Clean Android experience
- Durable build quality
- Reliable brand
- Underpowered processor
- Slow charging
- Lower resolution display
- Basic camera
Samsung Galaxy A14
- Powerful processor
- Better camera
- Larger and sharper display
- Faster charging
- More features
- Samsung's One UI can be bloated
- Plastic build may feel less premium
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 boasts a larger 6.6-inch display with a 1080 x 2408 resolution, offering a sharper and more immersive viewing experience compared to the C21 Plus's smaller, likely lower-resolution screen. The A14 also likely has better color accuracy and brightness.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 generally offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera system. While the C21 Plus has a decent camera for its price range, the A14’s likely higher resolution sensors and image processing algorithms will result in better photos, especially in low light. The A14 likely has more camera features.
Performance
The Galaxy A14’s Helio G80 (or Exynos 850) chipset significantly outperforms the Unisoc SC9863A in the C21 Plus. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A14. The A14's CPU architecture is also more efficient.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, but the Galaxy A14's larger battery capacity and more efficient processor give it a slight edge. The A14's 15W charging is also faster than the C21 Plus's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C21 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a simple, reliable phone with a clean Android experience and a focus on durability. The Samsung Galaxy A14 is better suited for those who want a more powerful phone with a better camera, display, and longer battery life, even on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers longer software update support than Nokia, especially for budget devices. Expect more Android version updates and security patches on the Galaxy A14.
❓ Is the Nokia C21 Plus worth considering?
The Nokia C21 Plus is a viable option if you prioritize a simple, clean Android experience and a durable build, and are not concerned about performance or advanced features. However, the Galaxy A14 offers significantly more value for a slightly higher price.
