Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 vs Nokia G10: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers

The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Nokia G10 and the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, beneath the similar price points lie key differences in processing power and overall user experience, making one a better choice for specific needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 is the better choice. Its Helio P60 chipset, featuring Cortex-A73 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Nokia G10’s Helio G25, despite both sharing a 12nm process. Both offer basic functionality, but the A9 Pro delivers a smoother experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia G10 Umidigi A9 Pro 2021
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROWHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM-
Launch
Announced2021, April 082021. Released 2021
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 26Discontinued
Body
Build-Aluminum frame
Dimensions164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in)158.7 x 74.9 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.95 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight194 g (6.84 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
 Splash protection-
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Mediatek Helio P60 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single8 MP, (wide)-
Triple13 MP, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, (wide)24 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature)
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5050 mAh4150 mAh
Misc
ColorsDusk, NightOnyx Black, Forest Green
ModelsTA-1334, TA-1351, TA-1346, TA-1338-
PriceAbout 110 EUR-
SAR1.06 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.46 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)-

Nokia G10

  • Recognizable Brand Name (Nokia)
  • Potentially Cleaner Android Experience
  • Reliable Build Quality (Historically)

  • Inferior CPU Performance (Helio G25)
  • Slower Multitasking
  • Less Responsive User Interface

Umidigi A9 Pro 2021

  • Superior CPU Performance (Helio P60)
  • Smoother Multitasking
  • More Responsive User Experience

  • Less Established Brand
  • Potentially More Bloatware
  • Android Updates May Be Slower

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Without specific brightness data, it's reasonable to assume both offer adequate visibility indoors, but struggle in direct sunlight. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic functionality. Bezels are likely similar, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices relying on budget sensors and image processing. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both will produce acceptable photos in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Image processing will likely be basic, prioritizing speed over detail.

Performance

This is where the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 pulls ahead. While both chipsets are manufactured on a 12nm process, the Helio P60’s CPU configuration – 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 – is significantly more powerful than the Nokia G10’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53. The Cortex-A73 cores in the A9 Pro offer a substantial improvement in single-core performance, translating to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The G10’s slower Cortex-A53 cores will struggle with demanding applications. Both devices will likely be paired with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, further emphasizing the chipset’s importance.

Battery Life

Both the Nokia G10 and Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 feature 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience – expect around 2.5-3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but typical capacities for this segment are around 5000mAh. The more efficient Helio P60 in the A9 Pro *may* translate to slightly better battery life under heavy use, but real-world differences will likely be minimal for average users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nokia G10 if you prioritize brand recognition and a clean Android experience, and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 if you need a more responsive device for multitasking, occasional gaming, and generally demand a smoother user experience, even if it means sacrificing brand familiarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio P60 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play on low to medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The G10’s Helio G25 will struggle even on the lowest settings, making the A9 Pro the better choice for casual gaming.
❓ How reliable are software updates for the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021?
Umidigi’s update track record is less consistent than Nokia’s. While the A9 Pro launched with Android 11, expect fewer major Android version updates compared to the Nokia G10. Security patches may also be less frequent.
❓ Is the difference in CPU performance between the Helio P60 and Helio G25 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Helio P60’s Cortex-A73 cores provide a significant boost in responsiveness when opening apps, switching between tasks, and browsing the web. The G10’s G25 will feel sluggish in comparison.