Looking for an affordable Nokia smartphone? The G21 and G20 are both solid contenders, but cater to slightly different needs. This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G21 clearly wins thanks to its significantly better battery life, brighter display, and faster charging. While the G20 remains a budget option, the G21 offers a more compelling overall experience for a small price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 14 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 15 | Available. Released 2021, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | 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) | 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 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 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| 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 | - |
| 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, BDS |
| 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD3.0 | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nordic Blue, Dusk | Glacier, Night |
| Models | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 | TA-1336, TA-1343, TA-1347, TA-1372, TA-1365 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.13 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)
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Faster charging (18W)
- Slightly better performance
- Unisoc chipset not as well-regarded as Snapdragon
- Camera performance is still basic
Nokia G20
- Very affordable
- Reliable basic smartphone
- Decent build quality
- Slow charging (10W)
- Dim display
- Less powerful processor
- Shorter battery life
Display Comparison
The Nokia G21 boasts a significantly superior display with a measured 500 nits brightness and an impressive 1631:1 contrast ratio. The G20's display, while adequate, lacks the brightness and contrast, making it less enjoyable for viewing content in bright environments. Both feature similar resolutions, but the G21's quality is noticeably better.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic camera setups. While specific camera specs are not detailed, the G21 likely offers slightly improved image processing due to its more powerful chipset. Both are expected to deliver acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light.
Performance
The Nokia G21's Unisoc T606 chipset offers a performance edge over the G20's Helio G35. While both are entry-level processors, the T606's Cortex-A75 cores provide a boost in responsiveness for everyday tasks and light gaming. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the G21.
Battery Life
This is where the Nokia G21 truly shines. Its endurance rating of 126 hours is exceptional, far surpassing the G20. The G21 also supports 18W fast charging, while the G20 is limited to 10W, meaning significantly faster charging times.
Buying Guide
The Nokia G21 is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life, a better display for media consumption, and faster charging. The Nokia G20 is a good choice for those on a very tight budget who need a reliable, basic smartphone and don't mind slower charging and a less vibrant screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia G21 worth the extra money compared to the G20?
Yes, the G21's superior battery life, display, and charging speed make it a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you value those features.
❓ What kind of performance can I expect from the Nokia G20?
The G20 is suitable for basic tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and social media. Don't expect to play demanding games or run multiple apps simultaneously without some slowdown.
