Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't compromise on essential features? The Nokia G21 and G11 are both strong contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G21 edges out the G11 thanks to its significantly longer battery life and superior display. While both share the same chipset, the G21's enhanced features make it the better overall choice for users prioritizing endurance and visual quality, despite a potentially slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM | eMMC 5.1 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 14 | 2022, February 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 15 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| 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 11, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, (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 | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD3.0 | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nordic Blue, Dusk | Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 | TA-1401 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | 0.47 W/kg (head) 1.10 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 G21
- Exceptional battery life (126h endurance)
- Vibrant display (500 nits, 1631:1 contrast)
- Clean Android experience
- PD3.0 Charging
- Unisoc T606 chipset may limit performance in demanding tasks
- Camera details are limited
- Potentially higher price than G11
Nokia G11
- Affordable price point
- Clean Android experience
- PD3.0 Charging
- Reliable brand
- Less impressive display compared to G21
- Battery life likely shorter than G21
- Unisoc T606 chipset may limit performance
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Nokia G21 boasts a significantly better display with a measured 500 nits of brightness and an impressive 1631:1 contrast ratio. The G11's display details are not provided, but it's likely to be less vibrant and have lower brightness. This difference will be noticeable in outdoor use and when viewing multimedia content.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, specific camera specifications (resolution, aperture, features) are missing. Based on general knowledge, the G21 likely has slightly better camera hardware and software optimization, potentially resulting in marginally better image quality, but the difference is unlikely to be drastic.
Performance
Both phones utilize the Unisoc T606 chipset, meaning performance will be largely similar. Expect adequate performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Demanding games and heavy multitasking might experience some slowdowns on either device.
Battery Life
This is where the Nokia G21 truly shines. It boasts an incredible endurance rating of 126 hours, significantly exceeding what we'd expect from a typical smartphone. The G11's battery life is not explicitly stated, but it's expected to be considerably shorter.
Buying Guide
The Nokia G21 is ideal for users who prioritize long battery life, a vibrant display, and a slightly more premium experience. The Nokia G11 is a good option for those seeking a basic, reliable smartphone with a focus on affordability and essential functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What Android version do these phones run?
Both the Nokia G21 and G11 launched with Android 11 and are eligible for updates. Nokia is known for providing timely Android updates.
❓ Are the cameras any good?
The cameras are adequate for casual photography. Don't expect flagship-level image quality, but they should suffice for everyday snapshots. The G21 likely has a slight edge in image quality.
