Looking for an affordable smartphone that delivers reliable performance? The Nokia C21 and C30 are both contenders in the budget segment, offering essential features at attractive price points. But which one is the better choice for your needs?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia C30 edges out the C21 thanks to its slightly improved charging speed and potentially larger battery capacity (though official figures vary). Both share the same processor, so performance is largely similar. Ultimately, the C30 offers a bit more value for a small price increase.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | 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 - LATAM, Brazil | 1, 3, 7, 20, 28 - Australia, UK, Ireland |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 28 | 2021, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 03 | Available. Released 2021, October 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.9 x 8.8 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 177.7 x 79.1 x 9.9 mm (7.00 x 3.11 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 237 g (8.36 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~257 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~77.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~79.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB 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)
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | Unspecified |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Warm Gray | Green, White, Dark Grey |
| Models | TA-1356, TA-1352 | TA-1357, TA-1377, TA-1369, TA-1360, TA-1359 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.33 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) | 0.41 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C21
- Affordable
- Reliable Nokia brand
- Decent display
- Dual camera setup
- Slow charging
- Limited performance
- Basic features
- Plastic build
Nokia C30
- Slightly better charging speed
- Potentially longer battery life
- Modern design
- Reliable Nokia brand
- Limited performance
- Basic features
- Plastic build
- Camera quality could be better
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for everyday use. The C30 might have slightly improved color accuracy, but the difference is minimal. Resolution is likely 720 x 1600 pixels on both.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia C21 typically features a dual-camera setup (13MP + 2MP depth sensor) while the C30 often boasts a 13MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. Image quality is adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. Video recording is likely limited to 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
Powered by the same Unisoc SC9863A chipset, expect similar performance from both devices. They're suitable for basic tasks but may struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking. RAM configurations likely vary (2GB/3GB), impacting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
While both phones likely have a 4000mAh battery, the C30's inclusion of 10W charging provides a noticeable advantage over the C21's likely slower charging speed. Battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the C30 should offer slightly longer runtime.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C21 is ideal for users seeking a basic, no-frills smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage. The Nokia C30 is a better choice for those who prioritize slightly faster charging and potentially longer battery life, and appreciate a more modern design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference in performance between the Nokia C21 and C30?
Both phones use the same Unisoc SC9863A chipset, so performance is largely similar. The C30 might feel slightly smoother due to potential RAM differences.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Nokia C30 is likely to offer slightly better battery life, potentially aided by its 10W charging and possibly a slightly larger battery capacity.
