Nokia's budget smartphone lineup offers reliable options, but choosing between models can be tricky. We're pitting the Nokia C22 against the Nokia G21 to see which phone delivers the best value for your money. This comparison will cover everything from display quality to battery life and performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G21 is the clear winner. While the C22 offers a durable build, the G21's superior chipset, faster charging, brighter display, and exceptional battery life make it a significantly better overall package for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 25 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 25 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 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 13 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sand, Midnight Black | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | - | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.7 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 171299 (v9)
GeekBench: 1193 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Nokia C22
- Durable build
- Android Go Edition (potentially lighter OS)
- Affordable price
- Slow performance
- Dim display
- Slow charging
- Outdated chipset
Nokia G21
- Exceptional battery life
- Faster charging (18W PD3.0)
- Brighter display
- More powerful chipset
- Good value for money
- Camera details are limited
- Design is somewhat basic
Display Comparison
The Nokia G21 boasts a noticeable advantage with its 500 nits of brightness, making it easier to view outdoors. Both phones share a high contrast ratio (1631:1), but the G21's brightness contributes to a more vibrant and usable display. The C22's display is adequate but lacks the punch of the G21.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are described as 'Photo / Video', the G21's more powerful chipset likely allows for slightly better image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Specific camera specs are missing, but the G21 is expected to offer a marginally better camera experience.
Performance
The Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 is a significant upgrade over the C22's SC9863A. The G21's chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a smoother and more responsive experience for everyday tasks and light gaming. The C22 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
The Nokia G21's battery life is legendary, achieving an endurance rating of 126 hours. This is a massive advantage over the C22, which, while decent, doesn't come close to the G21's longevity. The G21 also supports 18W fast charging (PD3.0) compared to the C22's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia C22? Those prioritizing extreme durability and a very basic smartphone experience on a tight budget. Who should buy the Nokia G21? Anyone seeking a reliable, long-lasting phone with a decent display, acceptable performance, and fast charging capabilities – all at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia C22 worth buying?
The C22 is only recommended for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize durability over performance and features. Otherwise, the G21 offers significantly better value.
❓ How long does the Nokia G21 battery last?
The Nokia G21 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours, meaning it can easily last for multiple days on a single charge with moderate usage.
❓ What chipset does the Nokia G21 use?
The Nokia G21 utilizes the Unisoc T606 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost compared to the C22.