Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two very different contenders against each other: the Samsung Galaxy A34, a mid-range powerhouse, and the Nokia C01 Plus, a budget-friendly option. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A34 is the clear winner for most users, offering significantly better performance, a superior display, and a much better camera. However, the Nokia C01 Plus provides incredible value for those on a very tight budget who prioritize simplicity and affordability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 14 | 2021, June 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2021, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) | 148 x 71.8 x 9.3 mm (5.83 x 2.83 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 157 g (5.54 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver | Blue, Purple |
| Models | SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460 | TA-1383, TA-1387, TA-1391 |
| Price | € 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999 | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.41 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 133h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 472126 (v9)
GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A34
- Excellent display
- Powerful performance
- Great camera
- Long battery life
- Modern design
- Higher price point
- Potentially more complex for novice users
Nokia C01 Plus
- Very affordable
- Simple and easy to use
- Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)
- Compact size
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Limited storage
- Slower charging
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A34 boasts a stunning 1009 nits max brightness display with an infinite contrast ratio, providing vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The Nokia C01 Plus has a much smaller and less impressive display, typical of budget phones, with lower resolution and brightness. The A34's Super AMOLED technology is a significant advantage.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A34's camera system is a major upgrade. While specific specs are not provided, Samsung's reputation for camera quality suggests excellent photo and video capabilities. The Nokia C01 Plus's camera is basic and likely produces lower-quality images, especially in low light. The A34 likely offers features like optical image stabilization and more advanced shooting modes.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 1080 in the Galaxy A34 offers a substantial performance boost over the Unisoc SC9863A in the Nokia C01 Plus. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the A34. The C01 Plus is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding apps or games.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A34's endurance rating of 133h is exceptional, indicating outstanding battery life. The Nokia C01 Plus, while having a decent battery capacity, will not match the A34's longevity due to its less efficient chipset and display.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A34 is ideal for users who want a smooth experience, a great camera, and a vibrant display for media consumption. The Nokia C01 Plus is best suited for first-time smartphone users, seniors, or anyone needing a basic, reliable device for calls, texts, and light usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia C01 Plus good for gaming?
No, the Nokia C01 Plus's chipset is not powerful enough for demanding games. It's best suited for basic games and casual use.
❓ How much storage does the Samsung Galaxy A34 have?
The Samsung Galaxy A34 typically comes in configurations with 128GB or 256GB of storage, expandable via microSD card.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
The Samsung Galaxy A34 runs on Android with Samsung's One UI. The Nokia C01 Plus runs on Android Go Edition, a lighter version optimized for lower-powered devices.
