The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Nokia G21 and Samsung Galaxy A14 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, helping you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia G21 boasts incredible battery life and a stunning contrast ratio. However, the Samsung Galaxy A14 offers a more powerful chipset (especially the Exynos version) and potentially better camera versatility. For battery champions, choose Nokia; for performance, Samsung.
| 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 14 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 15 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version AOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version B |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| 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, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD3.0 | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nordic Blue, Dusk | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 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)
- High contrast ratio display
- Clean Android experience
- 18W charging
- Less powerful chipset
- Average camera performance
- Lower brightness display
- Plastic build
Samsung Galaxy A14
- More powerful chipset (Helio G80/Exynos 850)
- Potentially better camera versatility
- Samsung ecosystem integration
- Likely brighter display
- Slower 15W charging
- Battery life not as impressive as G21
- One UI can be bloated
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
The Nokia G21's display boasts an impressive 1631:1 contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks and vibrant colors. While the 500 nits brightness is decent, it might struggle in direct sunlight. The Galaxy A14's display is likely to be brighter and potentially offer a higher resolution, though contrast ratio details are less readily available. Samsung generally has a reputation for good display quality.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. The Galaxy A14 is likely to have a more versatile camera setup, potentially including an ultrawide lens and a higher-resolution main sensor. Nokia G21 camera performance is generally considered average.
Performance
Here's where the Galaxy A14 pulls ahead. The Helio G80 (or Exynos 850) chipset offers significantly more processing power than the Unisoc T606 in the G21. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A14. The G21 is adequate for everyday tasks but may struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Nokia G21's standout feature is its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 126 hours. This is a truly remarkable achievement. The Galaxy A14, while offering good battery life, is unlikely to match the G21's longevity. The A14's 15W charging is slower than the G21's 18W support.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia G21? Users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a smooth, albeit not blazing-fast, experience. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A14? Those seeking a more responsive performance, a potentially better camera system, and the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A14, thanks to its more powerful chipset, will offer significantly better gaming performance.
❓ Is the Nokia G21 worth it if I prioritize battery life above all else?
Absolutely! The Nokia G21's battery life is exceptional and a major selling point.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A14 have expandable storage?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A14 typically supports microSD card expansion.
❓ What Android version do these phones ship with?
Both phones launched with Android 12, but are eligible for updates to Android 13 and beyond.
