Looking for an affordable Nokia smartphone? The C31 and G10 are both solid contenders in the budget segment, offering reliable performance and the Nokia brand's reputation for durability. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G10 edges out the C31 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and generally better performance. While both offer a dependable experience, the G10 provides a smoother user experience for everyday tasks and light gaming. Both share the same slow 10W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| 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 |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - South Africa, Egypt | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 01 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 01 | Available. Released 2021, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 169.2 x 78 x 8.6 mm (6.66 x 3.07 x 0.34 in) | 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal, Mint, Cyan | Dusk, Night |
| Models | TA-1499, TA-1497, TA-1493 | TA-1334, TA-1351, TA-1346, TA-1338 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.06 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C31
- Modern design
- Longer software support (Android updates)
- Durable build quality
- Decent camera for the price
- Slower performance
- 10W charging is slow
- Less powerful chipset
Nokia G10
- Better performance than C31
- Slightly better battery life
- Larger screen brightness
- Reliable Nokia brand
- Slightly older design
- 10W charging is slow
- Performance still limited by budget chipset
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display. The G10's display is slightly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility. Color accuracy is decent on both, but don't expect flagship-level vibrancy. The C31 has a slightly more modern design with a more refined aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia G10 typically features a triple camera setup (13MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP depth sensor) while the C31 has a triple camera setup (13MP main, 5MP wide-angle, 2MP macro). Image quality is comparable, with decent performance in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is average on both.
Performance
The Nokia G10's MediaTek Helio G25 chipset (12nm) outperforms the C31's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The G25's Cortex-A53 cores generally offer better performance than the C31's Cortex-A55 cores, resulting in snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. Expect some lag on both devices with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Nokia G10 boasts a larger 5000mAh battery compared to the C31's 5000mAh battery. While the capacity is the same, the G10's more efficient chipset allows for slightly better battery life in real-world usage. Both phones suffer from slow 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C31 is ideal for users prioritizing a longer software support lifespan and a more modern design. The Nokia G10 is a better choice for those needing a bit more processing power for multitasking and occasional gaming, and who appreciate a larger battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which Nokia phone has better software support?
The Nokia C31 is generally expected to receive longer software support and Android updates compared to the Nokia G10, aligning with Nokia's commitment to providing timely updates.
❓ Is the Nokia G10 worth buying in 2024?
The Nokia G10 remains a decent budget option in 2024, especially if you prioritize battery life and a reliable brand. However, consider newer budget phones with more powerful chipsets if performance is a key concern.