Nokia's budget phone lineup continues to expand, offering affordable options for those seeking reliable devices. The Nokia C21 and G22 are two contenders in this space, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G22 emerges as the clear winner. While the C21 is a basic, functional phone, the G22's more efficient chipset, faster charging, and potential for repairability provide a significantly better user experience and future-proofing, justifying its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 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 - LATAM, Brazil | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 28 | 2023, February 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 03 | Available. Released 2023, February 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.9 x 8.8 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 165 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 196.2 g (6.91 oz) |
| | - | Dust and splash resistant
QuickFix user-reparable design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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 (~77.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 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 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Warm Gray | Lagoon Blue, Meteor Gray, So Peach |
| Models | TA-1356, TA-1352 | - |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) | - |
Nokia C21
- Extremely affordable
- Durable build quality
- Clean Android experience
- Slow performance
- Slow charging
- Basic camera
- Outdated chipset
Nokia G22
- Better performance
- Faster charging (PD3.0)
- Repairable design
- More efficient chipset
- Slightly more expensive
- Camera still basic
- Design not as premium as some competitors
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolution (likely HD+). The G22 might offer slightly better color accuracy or brightness due to potentially improved panel quality, but the difference will be minimal for most users. Screen sizes are likely comparable, around 6.5 inches.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a dual-camera setup on the rear (likely a main sensor and a depth sensor). Image quality will depend more on software processing than hardware, but the G22's more powerful processor might allow for slightly better image processing and low-light performance.
Performance
The Nokia G22's Unisoc T606 chipset is a significant upgrade over the C21's SC9863A. The T606's 12nm process and Cortex-A75 cores provide noticeably better performance for multitasking, gaming, and general responsiveness. The C21 will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. However, the G22's more efficient chipset and 20W fast charging (PD3.0) give it a clear advantage in terms of battery life and charging speed. The C21 will likely take considerably longer to charge.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C21 is ideal for users needing a simple, durable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. The Nokia G22 is better suited for those who want a slightly faster phone with better battery life and the added benefit of potential repairability, making it a more future-proof investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia G22 worth the extra cost compared to the C21?
Yes, the G22's improved performance, faster charging, and repairable design make it a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you plan to use your phone for more than just basic tasks.
❓ Can the Nokia C21 be repaired easily?
The Nokia C21 is not designed for easy repairability. The Nokia G22, however, is specifically marketed as a repairable device, with readily available parts and repair guides.
