Umidigi A13S vs Nokia G21: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia G21 emerges as the better choice. Its octa-core Unisoc T606 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the A13S’s quad-core T310, and the 18W charging with PD3.0 support significantly reduces downtime. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the G21’s faster charging is a key differentiator.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Umidigi A13S | Nokia G21 |
| 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 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 | 2022 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.61 x 2.98 x 0.34 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 5150 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy Blue | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | - | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | - | 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 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) |
Umidigi A13S
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple, streamlined Android experience
- Compact form factor (likely)
- Significantly weaker processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Nokia G21
- More powerful octa-core processor
- Faster 18W charging with PD3.0
- Better outdoor visibility with 500 nits brightness
- Potentially higher price
- Larger size may not suit all users
- Basic camera system
Display Comparison
Both the Umidigi A13S and Nokia G21 feature displays with a 1631:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Nokia G21 boasts a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, which will translate to better visibility outdoors compared to the A13S, where brightness data is unavailable. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the G21’s higher brightness provides a tangible advantage in real-world usability. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price point, expectations should be tempered. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Nokia brand generally emphasizes image processing, potentially leading to more pleasing results even with similar hardware. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606, an octa-core processor with 2x Cortex-A75 and 6x Cortex-A55 cores, offers a significant advantage over the Umidigi A13S’s Unisoc Tiger T310, a quad-core chip with 1x Cortex-A75 and 3x Cortex-A55 cores. The T606’s additional cores will result in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. While both are built on a 12nm process, the architectural advantage of the T606 is clear. The A13S will likely struggle with more demanding applications, making the G21 the better choice for users who occasionally game or use resource-intensive apps.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Nokia G21’s 18W wired charging with PD3.0 support is a significant advantage over the A13S’s slower 10W charging. This means the G21 can be topped up much faster, reducing downtime and providing greater convenience. While both will likely last a full day on a single charge for moderate users, the G21’s faster charging is a crucial benefit for those who frequently need to recharge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi A13S if you prioritize a very basic, no-frills Android experience and are willing to accept slower performance for essential tasks. Buy the Nokia G21 if you need a phone that can handle multitasking, streaming, and light gaming without significant lag, and if you value faster charging speeds to minimize downtime. The G21 is the better all-rounder for the average user.