The Tecno Spark Go 1 and Nokia C21 Plus represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum, targeting first-time buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. Both phones run Android Go edition, optimized for lower-powered hardware, but significant differences in their chipsets and charging capabilities dictate which device offers a smoother, more usable experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Spark Go 1 emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T615 chipset, built on a more modern 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Nokia C21 Plus’s older 28nm Unisoc SC9863A, making everyday tasks feel more responsive. While the Nokia offers a slightly cleaner software experience, the performance gap is too significant to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 19 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August | Available. Released 2022, April 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 178 g or 191 g (6.28 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T615 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition), HIOS 14 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000/5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Startrail Black, Glittery White | Dark Cyan, Warm Gray |
| Models | - | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 |
| Price | $ 172.85 | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Spark Go 1
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- More efficient chipset for longer battery life
- Faster 15W charging
- Software experience may be less clean than Nokia
- Likely more pre-installed apps
Nokia C21 Plus
- Clean Android Go edition software
- Potentially more durable build quality (Nokia reputation)
- Simpler user interface
- Significantly slower processor
- Less efficient chipset
- Slower 10W charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price point. However, details like resolution and brightness are missing. The focus here is on processing power, as the display won't be a bottleneck for typical usage. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar – basic. Both phones will struggle in low-light conditions. Details regarding sensor size and image processing are unavailable, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The presence of multiple cameras on both devices is more for marketing than substantial image quality improvements. Any differences will likely stem from software processing, but the chipset limitations on the Nokia C21 Plus will hinder its ability to perform complex image processing tasks.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark Go 1’s Unisoc T615, fabricated on a 12nm process, features a more sophisticated CPU configuration: two Cortex-A75 cores for performance and six Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Nokia C21 Plus’s Unisoc SC9863A, built on an older 28nm process, which utilizes four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6GHz and another four at 1.2GHz. The 12nm process of the T615 translates to better power efficiency and less heat generation, allowing for sustained performance. The A75 cores in the Tecno provide a significant boost in single-core performance, crucial for app launch times and general responsiveness. The Nokia’s SC9863A, while still an octa-core processor, is demonstrably less powerful.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, both phones likely house batteries in the 4000-5000mAh range. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Tecno Spark Go 1 supports 15W wired charging, while the Nokia C21 Plus is limited to 10W. This means the Tecno will recharge noticeably faster, reducing downtime. The more efficient Unisoc T615 in the Tecno will also contribute to longer battery life during typical usage, offsetting any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark Go 1 if you prioritize responsiveness and smoother multitasking, even if it means sacrificing a potentially cleaner software experience. This phone is ideal for users who occasionally browse social media, use messaging apps, and need a phone that won't struggle with basic functions. Buy the Nokia C21 Plus if you absolutely prioritize a very simple, uncluttered Android experience and are willing to accept slower performance and longer app loading times. This phone is best suited for users who primarily make calls and send texts.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T615 in the Tecno Spark Go 1 handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc T615 is more than capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant lag. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost that ensures a responsive experience, even with multiple apps open.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Nokia C21 Plus noticeably slow compared to the Tecno Spark Go 1?
Yes, 10W charging is considerably slower than 15W. Expect a significantly longer time to fully charge the Nokia C21 Plus – potentially over 3 hours from 0% to 100%, compared to around 2 hours for the Tecno Spark Go 1.
❓ Does the Android Go edition on both phones limit functionality?
Android Go edition is designed to run smoothly on lower-powered hardware. While it uses lighter versions of Google apps, it doesn't drastically limit functionality. You'll still have access to core features like Google Maps, YouTube, and the Play Store, but they may be slightly less feature-rich than their full-fledged counterparts.
