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 A2. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi A2 edges out the Nokia C21 Plus thanks to its more efficient chipset and slightly better performance. While both offer basic functionality, the Redmi A2 provides a smoother experience for everyday tasks and a more responsive feel. Both are solid choices for ultra-budget users.
| 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 | 2023, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 29 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| 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) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12 or 13 (Go edition), MIUI |
| 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, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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 | Aqua Blue, Classic Black, Sea Green |
| Models | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 | 23028RN4DG, 23026RN54G |
| Price | About 120 EUR | € 59.00 / £ 54.95 |
| SAR | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 0.90 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C21 Plus
- Clean Android experience
- Durable build quality (typical Nokia)
- Decent battery life
- Slower performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Basic camera capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi A2
- Better performance
- More efficient chipset
- Slightly larger screen
- Competitive price
- Plastic build
- Basic camera capabilities
- Software can be a bit cluttered
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for indoor use. The Redmi A2's slightly larger screen size (6.53 inches vs 6.5 inches) might offer a marginally better viewing experience, but the difference is minimal. Color accuracy is typical for this price range – expect muted tones and limited vibrancy.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia C21 Plus boasts a 13MP main camera with a depth sensor, while the Redmi A2 features a 8MP main camera. In practice, image quality is comparable, with both phones struggling in low-light conditions. Expect decent daylight shots with acceptable detail, but don't expect flagship-level photography. Both offer basic features like HDR and portrait mode.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi A2 pulls ahead. The Mediatek Helio G36, built on a 12nm process, is significantly more efficient than the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) in the C21 Plus. This translates to snappier app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a generally more responsive user experience. The C21 Plus can feel sluggish at times, especially when handling multiple apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the Redmi A2'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 A2, compared to 1-1.5 days on the C21 Plus.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C21 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and Nokia's reputation for durability. The Xiaomi Redmi A2 is a better choice for those needing a bit more performance and a slightly larger screen, especially if they frequently use apps or browse the web.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Nokia generally provides more consistent and timely software updates, especially security patches, compared to Xiaomi in this price range. However, both phones run Android Go Edition, which is optimized for lower-end hardware.
❓ Can these phones handle gaming?
Neither phone is designed for demanding gaming. The Redmi A2 handles basic games better due to its slightly more powerful chipset, but don't expect to play graphically intensive titles smoothly.
