The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Nokia C21 Plus and the Xiaomi Redmi A1. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi A1 edges out the Nokia C21 Plus thanks to its more efficient chipset and slightly better overall performance. While both are budget options, the Redmi A1 provides a smoother experience for everyday tasks. However, Nokia's build quality and software support are noteworthy.
| 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 - International |
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 28 | 2022, September 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 29 | Available. Released 2022, September 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g or 191 g (6.28 oz) | 192 g (6.77 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 (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12 (Go edition), MIUI 12 |
| 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 | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000/5050 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Warm Gray | Light Green, Light Blue, Black |
| Models | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 | 220733SI, 220733SG, 220733SL, 220743FI, 220733SH |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 0.85 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C21 Plus
- Clean Android experience
- Potentially longer software updates
- Durable build quality
- Dual camera setup (potentially more versatile)
- Slower performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Weaker battery life compared to Redmi A1
- Basic camera capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi A1
- Better performance and responsiveness
- More efficient chipset
- Slightly longer battery life
- Competitive price
- Single camera setup
- Less premium design
- Potentially shorter software update support than Nokia
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for indoor use. However, the Redmi A1's display might appear slightly more vibrant due to Xiaomi's color calibration. Neither phone excels in this area, but they are acceptable for the price.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia C21 Plus typically features a dual-camera setup (13MP + 2MP) while the Redmi A1 has a single 8MP main camera. Image quality is generally acceptable in well-lit conditions for both, but the Nokia C21 Plus's dual-camera setup *might* offer slightly more versatility with depth sensing. Low-light performance is weak on both devices.
Performance
The Redmi A1's MediaTek Helio A22 (12nm) chipset proves to be more efficient than the Nokia C21 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). While both utilize Cortex-A53/A55 cores, the Redmi A1's newer fabrication process and slightly higher clock speed result in noticeably smoother performance during multitasking and app loading. The Nokia C21 Plus can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the Redmi A1's more efficient chipset allows it to stretch that battery life a bit further. Expect around 1.5-2 days of moderate usage on the Redmi A1 versus 1-1.5 days on the Nokia C21 Plus.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C21 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and potentially longer software updates. The Xiaomi Redmi A1 is a better choice for those seeking a slightly faster and more responsive phone for basic usage and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Nokia generally offers better software update support, although both phones run Android Go Edition, which is optimized for lower-end hardware.
❓ Is the Nokia C21 Plus worth the extra cost?
It depends on your priorities. If you value a clean Android experience and potentially longer software updates, the C21 Plus might be worth it. Otherwise, the Redmi A1 offers better performance for the price.
