The smartphone landscape is constantly evolving, but some older devices retain a surprising appeal. Today, we pit the budget-friendly Nokia C32 against the aging but iconic Apple iPhone 6 Plus. Can a modern budget phone truly compete with a classic Apple device?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 6 Plus, despite its age, offers a superior experience thanks to its optimized software and better performance. However, the Nokia C32 provides a more modern feature set and potentially longer software support, making it a viable option for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1522 (GSM), A1522 (CDMA), A1524 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - A1522 (GSM), A1522 (CDMA), A1524 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29 - A1522 GSM, A1522 CDMA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 25 | 2014, September 09. Released 2014, September 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 25 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199.4 g (7.02 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Ion-strengthened glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~67.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Dual-core 1.4 GHz Typhoon (ARM v8-based) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Apple A8 (20 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GX6450 (quad-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 13 | iOS 8, upgradable to iOS 12.5.7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM, 128GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.5µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | 8 MP | 1.2 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 24 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 2915 mAh, non-removable (11.1 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal, Autumn Green, Beach Pink | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
| Models | - | A1522, A1524, iPhone7,1 |
| Price | $ 129.00 / £ 73.99 / € 104.99 | About 420 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94dB / Crosstalk -72dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 79h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1361 (nominal), 3.023 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
Nokia C32
- Affordable price
- Modern design
- Potentially longer software support
- Larger battery capacity (likely)
- USB-C charging
- Less powerful processor
- Lower display quality
- Camera likely inferior to iPhone
- Unisoc chipset reputation
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
- Optimized iOS experience
- Better performance (overall)
- Superior display quality
- Compact size (for a Plus-sized phone)
- Strong resale value (potentially)
- Outdated hardware
- Limited software updates
- Battery degradation likely
- Lightning connector
- No longer officially supported by Apple
Display Comparison
The iPhone 6 Plus boasts a significantly better display with a high contrast ratio (1361 nominal, 3023 sunlight) and generally superior color accuracy. The Nokia C32's display is likely adequate for everyday use but won't match the iPhone's vibrancy and outdoor visibility. The iPhone 6 Plus also has a larger screen size.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 6 Plus's camera, while dated, still produces decent photos and videos. The Nokia C32 likely features a higher megapixel count, but image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Expect the iPhone to have better dynamic range and low-light performance.
Performance
While the iPhone 6 Plus's A8 chip was powerful in its time, the Nokia C32's Octa-core Unisoc processor, though on a less efficient 22nm process, benefits from modern software optimization. However, the A8's architecture and iOS optimization still provide a smoother, more responsive experience overall. The iPhone 6 Plus will likely handle multitasking better.
Battery Life
Both devices are reported to have an endurance rating of 79 hours. However, the iPhone 6 Plus's battery is likely degraded due to age, while the Nokia C32's battery is new. Real-world battery life will vary, but the Nokia C32 likely has an advantage here.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C32 is ideal for users seeking a basic, reliable smartphone with a modern design and longer software support at an affordable price. The iPhone 6 Plus is best suited for those nostalgic for iOS 8/9 era, or those who appreciate its compact size and robust build, understanding its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iPhone 6 Plus still usable in 2024?
Yes, the iPhone 6 Plus is still usable, but it's limited by its outdated hardware and lack of software updates. It may struggle with newer apps and features.
❓ Will the Nokia C32 receive software updates for a long time?
Nokia typically provides longer software support for its devices than many budget brands, but the C32 is unlikely to receive major Android updates beyond Android 13.
