Nokia C22 vs Nokia G21: A Detailed Comparison

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.
Phones Images

🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia C22 Nokia G21
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2023, February 252022, February 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, February 25Available. Released 2022, February 15
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.6 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
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
 Splash and dust resistant-
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass-
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc SC9863A (28 nm)Unisoc T606 (12 nm)
GPUIMG8322Mali-G57 MP1
OSAndroid 13 (Go edition)Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired, PD3.0
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsSand, Midnight BlackNordic Blue, Dusk
Models-TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412
PriceAbout 90 EURAbout 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.