The Plum Ram Plus LTE and Nokia C2 Tava represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential connectivity at a minimal cost, but they achieve this with significantly different hardware. This comparison dissects the core differences – specifically the Unisoc T107 versus the Mediatek Helio A22 – to determine which device offers the best experience for the price-conscious consumer.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and potential longevity, the Nokia C2 Tava emerges as the slightly better choice. While the Unisoc T107 in the Plum Ram Plus LTE is newer, the Helio A22’s Cortex-A53 cores, coupled with its 16nm manufacturing process, provide a more consistently usable experience, especially considering software optimization.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 26, 41, 66 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 02 | 2020, May 29. Released 2020, May 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 02 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 111.5 x 57.5 x 22 mm (4.39 x 2.26 x 0.87 in) | 150.6 x 72.4 x 9.1 mm (5.93 x 2.85 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 108.4 g (3.81 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Flashlight | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~27.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| | External display: 1.44 inches, 128 x 128 pixels | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc T107 | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (16 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | - | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128MB, 48MB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, AF
2 MP |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 2 MP | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | No | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 1200 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Black/Orange | Tempered Blue |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
Plum Ram Plus LTE
- Potentially newer chipset with future optimization possibilities.
- May offer a lower price point.
- LTE connectivity for basic data access.
- Unisoc chipset lacks established software support.
- Unknown display and battery specifications.
- Potential for performance inconsistencies.
Nokia C2 Tava
- Mature Mediatek Helio A22 chipset with known performance.
- Stable software experience due to wider optimization.
- 10W charging provides a reliable, if slow, charging solution.
- Older chipset architecture.
- Limited camera capabilities.
- Slow charging speed.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Specifications are unavailable for the Plum Ram Plus LTE’s display, suggesting a basic LCD panel. The Nokia C2 Tava also utilizes a standard LCD, likely with a 720p+ resolution. The absence of features like high refresh rates or even full HD resolution means both displays are geared towards minimizing cost, prioritizing visibility over visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, further emphasizing their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Details are scarce for the Plum Ram Plus LTE’s camera setup. The Nokia C2 Tava is expected to feature a basic rear camera setup, likely with a single main sensor and a depth sensor. Image quality will be acceptable in ideal lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and lack of detail in low light. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Nokia C2 Tava is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit due to its low resolution and lack of autofocus.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Plum Ram Plus LTE features the Unisoc T107, a relatively new entry-level SoC. However, the Nokia C2 Tava’s Mediatek Helio A22 (16nm) offers a more mature platform. The Helio A22’s quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz provides a known performance baseline. While the Unisoc T107’s architecture is unknown without further teardowns, Unisoc typically targets similar performance tiers. The 16nm process of the Helio A22, while older, contributes to better thermal management compared to potentially less refined manufacturing processes used for the T107. This translates to less throttling during sustained tasks. RAM configurations are not specified for the Plum Ram Plus LTE, but the Nokia C2 Tava’s performance will be constrained by its likely 2GB or 3GB of RAM.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is unspecified for the Plum Ram Plus LTE. The Nokia C2 Tava supports 10W wired charging. Given the low-power chipsets and basic displays, both devices should achieve all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Nokia C2 Tava’s 10W charging will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge the battery from 0-100%, likely exceeding 3 hours. The Plum Ram Plus LTE’s charging speed is unknown, but is unlikely to be significantly faster.
Buying Guide
Buy the Plum Ram Plus LTE if you need a device primarily for very light tasks like messaging and occasional web browsing, and are comfortable with potential software quirks. Its newer chipset *could* benefit from future optimizations. Buy the Nokia C2 Tava if you prefer a more predictable and stable experience, even if it means slightly less theoretical processing power. The Nokia’s Mediatek Helio A22 is a known quantity, and benefits from wider software support and optimization.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio A22 sufficient for running popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
Yes, the Mediatek Helio A22 is capable of running basic social media applications like Facebook and WhatsApp without significant issues. The Cortex-A53 cores and 2.0 GHz clock speed provide enough processing power for these lightweight apps, although multitasking with several apps open simultaneously may result in some slowdown.
❓ Will the Unisoc T107 in the Plum Ram Plus LTE receive regular software updates?
Software update support for the Plum Ram Plus LTE is uncertain. Unisoc chipsets generally have less extensive software support compared to Mediatek or Qualcomm. Users should expect limited or no major Android version updates, and security patches may be infrequent.
❓ Can the Nokia C2 Tava handle basic mobile gaming?
The Nokia C2 Tava can handle very basic mobile games, such as simple puzzle games or older titles. However, it will struggle with more demanding 3D games. The Helio A22’s integrated GPU is not powerful enough to deliver a smooth gaming experience in modern titles, even at low settings.
❓ What type of SIM card does the Plum Ram Plus LTE support?
Given its target market, the Plum Ram Plus LTE likely supports dual SIM cards, allowing users to utilize two different mobile networks simultaneously. However, specific SIM card sizes (Nano-SIM, Micro-SIM) are not specified and would require further investigation.
