Nokia C32 vs Nokia G21: A Budget Showdown

Nokia's budget smartphone lineup offers reliable options, but choosing between models can be tricky. We're pitting the Nokia C32 against the Nokia G21 to see which delivers the best value for your money. This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia G21 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster chipset, faster charging, and exceptional battery life. While the C32 boasts a slightly more modern design, the G21's overall performance and features justify its slight price premium.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia C32	Nokia G21

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, glass 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	199.4 g (7.02 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 SC9863A1 (22 nm)	Unisoc T606 (12 nm)
GPU	IMG8322	Mali-G57 MP1
OS	Android 13	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Dual	50 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	Wireless 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 (side-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	Charcoal, Autumn Green, Beach Pink	Nordic Blue, Dusk
Models	-	TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412
Price	$ 129.00 / £ 73.99 / € 104.99	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 C32

Modern design
Durable build
Clean Android experience

Slower performance
Slower charging
Lower brightness display
Less powerful chipset

Nokia G21

Excellent battery life
Faster charging (18W, PD3.0)
Better performance
Brighter display

Design slightly less modern than C32
Camera details unclear

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a 1631:1 contrast ratio. The G21, however, boasts a measured 500 nits of brightness, offering better visibility in sunlight compared to the C32's likely lower brightness. While both offer similar resolution, the G21's brightness advantage makes it the winner here.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited in the provided specs, but both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities. Given the G21's generally better hardware, it's likely to offer slightly improved image quality and processing. Further testing would be needed for a definitive conclusion.

Performance

The Nokia G21's Unisoc T606 chipset (12nm) with dual Cortex-A75 cores provides a noticeable performance boost over the C32's Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm) with only Cortex-A55 cores. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the G21. The G21's architecture is simply more efficient.

Battery Life

The Nokia G21's battery life is a standout feature, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours. This significantly surpasses what the C32 is likely to achieve. Coupled with 18W charging and PD3.0 support, the G21 offers a superior charging and longevity experience.

Buying Guide

The Nokia C32 is ideal for users prioritizing a clean design and basic functionality. It's a good choice for first-time smartphone users or those needing a simple device for calls, texts, and light browsing. The Nokia G21 is better suited for users who want a smoother experience, longer battery life, and faster charging, even on a budget.