The Samsung Galaxy A06 and Nokia G21 represent two compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The A06 prioritizes a brighter display and slightly more powerful chipset, while the G21 focuses on extended battery endurance and a more streamlined software experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A06 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset offers a noticeable performance edge over the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the Nokia G21 boasts a marginally higher contrast ratio, the A06’s brighter display is more usable in direct sunlight.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 16 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 22 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 77.3 x 8 mm (6.59 x 3.04 x 0.31 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 | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 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@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | 25W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gold, White | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | SM-A065F, SM-A065F/DS, SM-A065M, SM-A065M/DS | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | € 81.90 / $ 99.99 / £ 66.89 / ₹ 7,749 | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.44 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Samsung Galaxy A06
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset for smoother performance
- Faster 25W charging
- Likely better image processing
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the G21
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive
Nokia G21
- Excellent battery endurance
- Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
- Slightly higher contrast ratio
- PD3.0 charging support
- Slower Unisoc T606 chipset
- Dimmer display
- Slower 18W charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A06 boasts a measured peak brightness of 564 nits, significantly exceeding the Nokia G21’s 500 nits. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility, making the A06 more practical in bright sunlight. Both displays achieve a respectable contrast ratio – 1484:1 for the A06 and 1631:1 for the G21 – but the brightness advantage of the A06 is more impactful for everyday use. While both are LCD panels, the A06’s higher brightness contributes to a more vivid and engaging viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both the Samsung Galaxy A06 and Nokia G21 feature a standard photo/video camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the price point, it’s safe to assume both rely on relatively basic sensors. Without specific details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms generally offer more vibrant and detailed results, even with similar hardware. The inclusion of a dedicated night mode on the A06 (likely) would also give it an edge in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely inconsequential due to its limited resolution and image quality.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A06 is powered by the Mediatek Helio G85, an octa-core chipset featuring two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. The Nokia G21 utilizes the Unisoc T606, also an octa-core chip, but with slightly slower Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. This difference in clock speed, coupled with the Helio G85’s generally more efficient architecture, results in noticeably snappier performance in the A06, particularly in demanding applications and games. The G21’s Unisoc T606 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more intensive workloads.
Battery Life
The Nokia G21’s endurance rating of 126 hours suggests excellent battery life, while the Samsung Galaxy A06 delivers a solid 13:50h of active use. While the endurance rating is a standardized test, the A06’s active use score provides a more realistic indication of real-world performance. The A06 also supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the G21’s 18W charging with PD3.0. This means the A06 can replenish its battery more quickly, minimizing downtime. The G21’s slower charging speed, while supporting a power delivery standard, will take considerably longer to reach a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A06 if you need a phone that can handle everyday tasks and light gaming with relative ease, and if a brighter, more vibrant display is a priority. Buy the Nokia G21 if you prioritize maximum battery life and a clean Android experience, and are willing to trade some performance for extended uptime. The G21 is ideal for users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and basic social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is a budget chipset and will likely require significantly reduced graphics settings and frame rates to achieve playable performance in PUBG Mobile. Expect noticeable lag and stuttering, even on low settings. The Helio G85 in the A06 offers a more comfortable gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A06 with the 25W charger?
While Samsung may include a 15W charger in the box, using a separate 25W charger (sold separately) should fully charge the Galaxy A06 in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on usage during charging. The Nokia G21, with its 18W charger, will likely take over 2 hours for a full charge.
❓ Does the Nokia G21's software receive regular security updates?
Nokia is known for its commitment to software updates, even on its budget devices. The G21 is guaranteed to receive 3 years of security updates, which is a significant advantage over many other phones in this price range, ensuring your data remains protected for longer.
