The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Camon 17 Pro and Nokia G21 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at accessible price points, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro edges out the Nokia G21 thanks to its brighter display and more powerful chipset. However, the Nokia G21 boasts a cleaner software experience and potentially longer software support. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: performance or longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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 | 2021, May 08 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 03 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.9 x 77 x 9 mm (6.65 x 3.03 x 0.35 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 |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm | 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W / 33W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | California Silver, Malibu Blue | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | CG8, CG8h | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 140h
|
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 781:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
-30.7 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 309107 (v8)
GeekBench: 1668 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 171299 (v9)
GeekBench: 1193 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- Brighter Display
- More Powerful Chipset
- Potentially Better Camera
- Slightly Longer Battery Life
- Premium Design (typically)
- Software Updates May Be Slower
- Potential for Bloatware
- Camera Quality Can Vary
Nokia G21
- Clean Android Experience
- Guaranteed Software Updates
- Excellent Battery Life
- Durable Build Quality
- PD3.0 Charging Support
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Dimmer Display
- Potentially Slower Performance
- Basic Camera Features
Display Comparison
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro takes the lead in the display department. It boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of 538 nits compared to the Nokia G21's 500 nits, resulting in better visibility outdoors. The contrast ratio is also notably higher (781:1 vs 1631:1 - though nominal values can be misleading), suggesting richer colors and deeper blacks on the Camon 17 Pro. Both use LCD panels, so don't expect OLED-level quality.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature unspecified camera setups. However, based on typical Tecno and Nokia camera performance in this price range, the Camon 17 Pro likely offers slightly better image processing and potentially more versatile camera features. The Nokia G21 might prioritize natural-looking images, while the Camon 17 Pro could lean towards more vibrant, saturated colors. Actual camera quality will depend on software optimization and sensor capabilities.
Performance
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro's Helio G95 chipset offers a clear performance advantage over the Nokia G21's Unisoc T606. The G95 features Cortex-A76 cores, which are more powerful than the Cortex-A75 cores in the T606. This translates to smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Camon 17 Pro. The Nokia G21 will handle everyday tasks adequately, but may struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro holds a slight edge in battery endurance, boasting an endurance rating of 140 hours compared to the Nokia G21's 126 hours. While both offer excellent battery life, the Camon 17 Pro's larger battery capacity contributes to its longer runtime. The Nokia G21 supports PD3.0 charging, which could offer slightly faster charging speeds than the Camon 17 Pro's 25W/33W wired charging, depending on the charger used.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize a vibrant display, smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and a slightly more premium design. The Nokia G21 is a better choice for those seeking a reliable, long-lasting device with a clean Android experience and guaranteed software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Nokia G21 is known for its commitment to providing timely Android updates and security patches, offering a longer software support lifespan.
❓ Is the Tecno Camon 17 Pro good for gaming?
Yes, the Camon 17 Pro's Helio G95 chipset provides better gaming performance compared to the Nokia G21, allowing for smoother gameplay in most titles.
