The Nokia C3 and Motorola C139 represent the extreme end of the smartphone market, targeting users with minimal budgets. While the Motorola C139’s specifications remain largely unknown, the Nokia C3 offers a glimpse into modern, albeit basic, smartphone capabilities with its Unisoc chipset. This comparison aims to dissect the available information and determine which device offers the best value for the price-conscious consumer.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional smartphone experience, the Nokia C3 is the clear winner. Its Unisoc SC9863A chipset provides a significant performance advantage over the likely, and unspecified, hardware within the Motorola C139. While both are entry-level devices, the C3 offers a more responsive and capable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | LTE | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM |
| | - | GSM 850 / 1900 - US version |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 04. Released 2020, August 13 | 2005, Q3 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 77 x 8.7 mm (6.30 x 3.03 x 0.34 in) | 100.6 x 45.6 x 21.8 mm, 77 cc (3.96 x 1.80 x 0.86 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 184.5 g (6.53 oz) | 85 g (3.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 96 x 64 pixels, 3:2 ratio |
| Size | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~75.2% screen-to-body ratio) | - |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT, 65K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | - |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | IMG8322 | - |
| OS | Android 10 | - |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | - |
| Phonebook | - | 100 entries |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable monophonic ringtones, composer |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | No |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | No |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS | No |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | - |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | - |
| | - | iTap
Organizer
Stopwatch |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 450 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 11 h 40 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 3040 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 920 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nordic blue, Sand gold | Black, Silver |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 40 EUR |
Nokia C3
- More powerful Unisoc SC9863A chipset
- Octa-core processor enables smoother multitasking
- Likely better camera performance due to ISP
- 28nm process is less efficient than newer nodes
- Display quality is likely basic
Motorola C139
- Potentially longer battery life due to lower power consumption
- Extreme simplicity for users unfamiliar with smartphones
- Likely very affordable
- Significantly weaker performance
- Limited functionality
- Unknown display and camera quality
Display Comparison
Without specific display information for the Motorola C139, a direct comparison is difficult. The Nokia C3’s display resolution is likely 720p, standard for this price point. The C139, given its age and market positioning, likely features a lower resolution and potentially a less color-accurate panel. The C3’s display, while not exceptional, benefits from the processing power of the Unisoc chipset to render content smoothly, something the C139 likely struggles with.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the Motorola C139 are unavailable. The Nokia C3 likely features a basic camera setup, but the Unisoc chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) provides some level of image processing capability. Without knowing the C139’s camera specs, it’s safe to assume the C3 offers a superior photography experience, even if only marginally. The C3’s ISP will likely handle noise reduction and basic color correction more effectively than the C139’s likely rudimentary image processing.
Performance
The Nokia C3’s Unisoc SC9863A chipset, built on a 28nm process, is the defining feature of this comparison. Its octa-core configuration (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) provides a substantial performance boost over the Motorola C139, which, based on its market segment, likely utilizes a significantly older and less powerful chipset. The Cortex-A55 cores, while not high-end, are efficient and capable of handling everyday tasks. The C139’s performance will likely be limited to basic calling and texting, with noticeable lag when running even simple applications. The 28nm node of the SC9863A, while not cutting-edge, is a reasonable compromise for cost-effectiveness in this segment.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for both devices is unknown. However, the Nokia C3’s more powerful Unisoc SC9863A chipset will consume more power than the C139’s likely less demanding processor. This means the C139 *could* offer longer battery life under light usage. However, the C3’s faster processing allows for quicker task completion, potentially offsetting some of the power consumption. Charging speeds are also unknown for both devices, making a definitive battery life comparison impossible.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C3 if you need a smartphone capable of handling basic multitasking, social media, and light app usage. The octa-core processor provides a smoother experience than likely found in the C139. Buy the Motorola C139 if you prioritize extreme simplicity and a potentially longer battery life due to reduced processing demands, and if price is the *absolute* deciding factor, assuming it's significantly cheaper than the C3.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia C3 be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Nokia C3’s Unisoc SC9863A chipset with its octa-core processor is capable of running Facebook and WhatsApp without significant lag. While it won’t offer a high-end experience, it will provide a usable and responsive experience for these essential apps.
❓ Is the Motorola C139 a good choice for a first-time smartphone user?
The Motorola C139 *could* be suitable for a first-time smartphone user who only needs basic calling and texting functionality. However, its likely limited performance and features may lead to frustration. The Nokia C3 offers a more modern and capable experience, making it a better choice for most first-time users.
❓ Can the Nokia C3 handle basic mobile gaming?
The Nokia C3 can handle very basic mobile games, but don't expect a high-performance gaming experience. The Unisoc SC9863A chipset is not designed for demanding games. Simple puzzle games and older titles will be playable, but newer, graphically intensive games will likely run poorly.
