Nokia's known for reliable phones, but their budget offerings can vary significantly. The Nokia C32 and XR21 cater to different needs, with the C32 aiming for affordability and the XR21 prioritizing durability and performance. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia XR21 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, faster charging, and rugged design offer a significantly better experience than the C32's Unisoc processor and slower charging. While the C32 is cheaper, the XR21's value is undeniable.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 25 | 2023, May 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 25 | Available. Released 2023, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 199.4 g (7.02 oz) | 231 g (8.15 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Unspecified |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4 (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired, PD2.0, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal, Autumn Green, Beach Pink | Midnight Black, Pine Green |
| Price | $ 129.00 / £ 73.99 / € 104.99 | About 570 EUR |
Nokia C32
- Affordable
- Decent battery life (capacity)
- Stylish design
- Durable build
- Slow performance
- Slow charging
- Low-resolution display
- Limited features
Nokia XR21
- Faster performance
- Fast charging
- Durable build (IP68 rating)
- Full HD+ display
- 5G connectivity
- Higher price
- Slightly smaller battery capacity (compared to C32)
Display Comparison
The Nokia C32 features a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent visuals for everyday use. The XR21 boasts a slightly smaller 6.43-inch Full HD+ display, resulting in sharper images and a more immersive viewing experience. The XR21's higher resolution gives it a noticeable edge in clarity and detail.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia C32 has a 50MP main camera, while the XR21 features a 64MP main camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the XR21's superior processor and image processing capabilities generally result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both phones offer decent front-facing cameras for selfies.
Performance
Here's where the XR21 truly shines. The Snapdragon 695 5G provides significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking compared to the C32's Unisoc SC9863A1. Expect better gaming performance and quicker app loading times on the XR21. The C32 is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Nokia XR21 has a 4470 mAh battery, while the C32 has a 5000 mAh battery. However, the XR21's 33W fast charging significantly offsets the smaller capacity. The C32's 10W charging is painfully slow. The XR21 will charge much faster, making it more convenient for daily use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia C32? Those on a very tight budget who prioritize a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. Who should buy the Nokia XR21? Users who need a durable phone, appreciate better performance for gaming or multitasking, and want faster charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia C32 good for gaming?
The Nokia C32 is not ideal for gaming. Its processor struggles with demanding games, resulting in lag and poor performance. The XR21 is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ How durable is the Nokia XR21?
The Nokia XR21 is built to be durable, featuring an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance and a reinforced polycarbonate frame. It's designed to withstand drops and harsh conditions.
