The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y21e and Nokia G21 both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Y21e leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680 for a performance edge, while the G21 prioritizes longevity with a focus on battery endurance and a slightly more refined software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Y21e emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides noticeably better performance for everyday tasks and light gaming compared to the Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606. While both offer similar battery life ratings, the Y21e’s faster charging is a practical advantage.
| 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, 8, 40 | 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, January 14 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 14 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 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 |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% 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 | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 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 |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Diamond Glow | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | V2140 | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | About 150 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 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) |
vivo Y21e
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 680
- More efficient 6nm chipset for better battery life under load
- Faster charging speeds (18W) and reverse wired charging
- Camera specifications are unknown
- Software experience may be less clean than Nokia’s
Nokia G21
- Long battery life (126h endurance)
- Clean, near-stock Android experience with guaranteed updates
- PD3.0 charging support for potentially faster charging
- Unisoc T606 chipset offers lower performance
- 12nm process is less efficient than 6nm
Display Comparison
Both the vivo Y21e and Nokia G21 feature displays with a 1631:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Nokia G21 explicitly states a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, a crucial metric for outdoor visibility. While the Y21e’s brightness isn’t specified, the G21’s 500 nits provides a clear advantage in bright sunlight. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and lack high refresh rates, focusing on power efficiency over fluid animations.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The absence of information regarding sensor size or aperture suggests both likely employ basic camera setups. The Nokia G21’s emphasis on software processing might yield slightly more refined images, but the Y21e’s potentially better ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 680 could offer comparable results. Avoid expecting flagship-level image quality from either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y21e’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) boasts a more modern architecture and a smaller fabrication process than the Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). This translates to better power efficiency and, crucially, superior performance. The Snapdragon 680’s octa-core CPU, with its 2.4 GHz Kryo Gold cores, significantly outperforms the Unisoc T606’s 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores in CPU-intensive tasks. While both have octa-core CPUs, the architectural differences and process node give the Snapdragon a clear edge in responsiveness and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y21e and Nokia G21 achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ. The Y21e supports 18W wired charging with 2.5W reverse wired charging, while the G21 offers 18W wired charging with PD3.0 support. PD3.0 allows for potentially faster charging with compatible chargers, but the Y21e’s reverse wired charging is a unique feature for emergency power sharing. The similar endurance ratings suggest that real-world usage will yield comparable results, but the Y21e’s faster charging offers a convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y21e if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience and occasionally engage in mobile gaming. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset delivers a tangible performance boost. Buy the Nokia G21 if you value long-term battery life above all else and prefer a clean, near-stock Android experience with guaranteed software updates – a hallmark of the Nokia brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the vivo Y21e handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 680 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings for a smooth experience. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s significantly more capable than the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 for gaming.
❓ How important is PD3.0 charging on the Nokia G21? Will I notice a difference?
PD3.0 allows for faster charging *if* you have a compatible charger. With a standard 18W charger, the difference will be minimal. However, if you already own a PD3.0 charger, the G21 will take advantage of it for quicker top-ups.
❓ Does the vivo Y21e receive regular software updates?
vivo’s update schedule can be inconsistent. While they do provide updates, they aren’t as frequent or long-term as Nokia’s commitment to software support. The Nokia G21 is the better choice if guaranteed updates are a priority.
❓ What kind of storage does each phone use, and is it expandable?
Neither device explicitly states the storage type (eMMC vs UFS). However, given the price point, eMMC is more likely. Both phones support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
