The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y22 and Nokia C21 Plus both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving this. The Y22 prioritizes processing power with a Mediatek Helio G85, while the C21 Plus focuses on a streamlined experience with a Unisoc SC9863A and Android Go edition. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Y22 is the better choice. Its significantly more powerful Mediatek Helio G85 chipset provides a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday tasks and even light gaming. While the Nokia C21 Plus offers a cleaner software experience with Android Go, the performance gap is too large to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40 | 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 | 2022, September 05 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 05 | Available. Released 2022, April 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 178 g or 191 g (6.28 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.1 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 530 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000/5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starlite Blue, Metaverse Green, Summer Cyan | Dark Cyan, Warm Gray |
| Models | V2207 | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | 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) |
vivo Y22
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups
- Better suited for gaming and multitasking
- May run a more bloated software experience
- Potentially less optimized battery life due to higher performance
Nokia C21 Plus
- Clean and simple Android Go edition software
- Potentially longer battery life due to less demanding processor
- More affordable price point (potentially)
- Significantly slower processor leading to lag and stutter
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, details like resolution and brightness are missing. The focus here is on internal differences. The Y22’s more powerful GPU will contribute to smoother scrolling and animations, even if the panel itself is similar. The Nokia C21 Plus, running Android Go, may benefit from optimized rendering, but the weaker chipset will still be a limiting factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, given the expected sensor quality in this price range. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable, but both phones likely feature basic camera setups. The Y22’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G85 may offer slightly better image processing, but the difference will be minimal. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to deliver significant improvements in image quality.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference. The vivo Y22’s Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Nokia C21 Plus’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The Helio G85’s octa-core configuration, featuring two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, provides a noticeable boost in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the C21 Plus’s four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz and another four at 1.2 GHz. The 12nm process node of the Helio G85 is also more efficient than the 28nm node of the Unisoc chip, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Y22.
Battery Life
The Nokia C21 Plus’s 10W charging is a significant disadvantage compared to the vivo Y22’s 18W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the Y22 will result in significantly quicker top-ups. The more efficient Helio G85 chipset may also contribute to slightly better battery life, despite potentially having a similar capacity battery. Users who frequently find themselves needing to charge their phone throughout the day will greatly benefit from the Y22’s faster charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y22 if you need a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and multitasking without significant slowdown. It’s ideal for users who prioritize performance over a minimalist software experience. Buy the Nokia C21 Plus if you prefer a very simple, uncluttered Android experience and primarily need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light web browsing. It’s a good option for first-time smartphone users or those who value software simplicity above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the vivo Y22 be able to run popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Helio G85 in the vivo Y22 is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty at lower settings. Expect playable frame rates with reduced graphics quality. The Nokia C21 Plus’s Unisoc SC9863A will struggle with these titles, likely resulting in a poor gaming experience.
❓ Does the Nokia C21 Plus’s Android Go edition limit the apps I can install?
Android Go is designed to run efficiently on low-end hardware. While it doesn’t restrict app installation, it uses optimized versions of Google apps and encourages the use of lightweight alternatives. You can still install standard Android apps, but they may run slower than on a more powerful device.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
With 18W charging, the vivo Y22 should fully charge in approximately 2-3 hours. The Nokia C21 Plus, with its 10W charging, will likely take 4-5 hours to reach 100%.
❓ Is the difference in processor speed noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The vivo Y22’s Helio G85 will provide a much smoother and more responsive experience when browsing the web, scrolling through social media feeds, and opening apps. The Nokia C21 Plus may exhibit lag and stutter during these tasks.
