Nokia G11 Plus vs Nokia G21: A Detailed Comparison

Nokia's G-series consistently delivers reliable, budget-friendly smartphones. The G11 Plus and G21 are two recent additions, both offering impressive battery life and the familiar Nokia build quality. But which one is the better choice for your needs?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia G21 edges out the G11 Plus thanks to its faster charging (18W vs 10W) and slightly improved display brightness. Both share the same Unisoc T606 chipset, so performance is similar, but the G21's charging advantage makes it a more practical daily driver.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia G11 Plus	Nokia G21

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
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, 8, 40, 41 - India	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM

Launch
Announced	2022, June 29	2022, February 14
Status	Available. Released 2022, July 20	Available. Released 2022, February 15

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 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	192 g (6.77 oz)	190 g (6.70 oz)
	Splash protection	-

Display
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size	6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Unisoc T606 (12 nm)	Unisoc T606 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MP1	Mali-G57 MP1
OS	Android 12, upgradable to Android 13	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM	64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.67", PDAF Auxiliary lens	-
Features	LED flash	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0"	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, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0"	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
Radio	FM radio	FM radio, RDS
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Charging	10W wired	18W wired, PD3.0
Type	Li-Ion 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5050 mAh

Misc
Colors	Lake Blue, Charcoal Grey	Nordic Blue, Dusk
Models	-	TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412
Price	About 130 EUR	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 G11 Plus

Potentially slightly larger screen
Reliable Nokia build quality
Excellent battery life

Slow 10W charging
Unspecified display brightness
Unisoc T606 chipset (performance limitations)

Nokia G21

Faster 18W charging (PD3.0)
Brighter 500 nits display
Excellent battery life
Reliable Nokia build quality

Unisoc T606 chipset (performance limitations)
Potentially smaller screen than G11 Plus

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, but the G21 boasts a measured 500 nits brightness compared to the G11 Plus's unspecified brightness. While both have a high 1631:1 contrast ratio, the G21's higher brightness will result in better visibility in outdoor conditions. The G11 Plus may offer slightly larger bezels.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are broadly similar, featuring a main camera setup. Image quality will likely be comparable, with both phones capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be average for this price range. Specific megapixel counts are not readily available for both models, suggesting a focus on software optimization rather than hardware.

Performance

Powered by the same Unisoc T606 chipset and octa-core CPU, expect similar performance from both devices. Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming should run smoothly. Don't expect flagship-level performance; these are budget phones.

Battery Life

Both phones are renowned for their exceptional battery life, with the G21 boasting an endurance rating of 126 hours. The G11 Plus also offers excellent battery life, though the exact rating isn't as widely publicized. However, the G21's 18W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the G11 Plus's 10W charging.

Buying Guide

The Nokia G11 Plus is a good option for users prioritizing a slightly larger screen and don't mind slower charging. The Nokia G21 is ideal for those who value faster charging speeds and a brighter display, even within a budget.