The Wiko Y81 and Nokia G11 Plus represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Wiko Y81 relies on MediaTek’s Helio A20, while the Nokia G11 Plus opts for the Unisoc T606. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia G11 Plus is the superior choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring an octa-core configuration, provides a significantly more responsive experience than the Wiko Y81’s quad-core Helio A20. While both phones are entry-level, the G11 Plus offers a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks and light multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 18. Released 2020, August 18 | 2022, June 29 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, July 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 157.9 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm (6.22 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 | 166 g (5.86 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.67", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0" |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Blue, Gold, Green | Lake Blue, Charcoal Grey |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.61 W/kg (body) | - |
Wiko Y81
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer slightly longer battery life under minimal use
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly slower performance
- Less responsive user interface
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Nokia G11 Plus
- Faster and more responsive performance
- Better multitasking capabilities
- More modern chipset architecture
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life under heavy use
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are adequate for basic viewing. The lack of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO is expected. The focus here is clearly on cost reduction, meaning users shouldn't expect vibrant colors or exceptional viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The market segment suggests both will likely include a primary sensor and potentially a depth or macro sensor of limited utility. Image processing will likely be minimal on both devices. The Nokia G11 Plus *may* benefit from slightly better image signal processing capabilities due to the more modern chipset, but this is speculative without further information.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Wiko Y81’s MediaTek Helio A20 is a quad-core processor built on a 12nm process. This is a relatively basic chipset designed for minimal power consumption. In contrast, the Nokia G11 Plus features the Unisoc T606, an octa-core processor (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) also on a 12nm process. The octa-core configuration, and the inclusion of Cortex-A75 cores, provides a substantial advantage in multi-tasking and app responsiveness. The A75 cores are significantly more powerful than the A53 cores found in the Helio A20, translating to smoother performance in demanding applications. While both use the same 12nm process, the architectural advantage of the Unisoc T606 is clear.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for the Wiko Y81, but given its focus on affordability, it's likely comparable to or slightly smaller than the Nokia G11 Plus's battery. The Nokia G11 Plus includes 10W wired charging. While slow by modern standards, this is typical for this price range. The Helio A20’s lower power draw in the Wiko Y81 *could* result in slightly longer battery life under very light usage, but the Unisoc T606’s efficiency gains will likely offset this in real-world scenarios with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Wiko Y81 if your primary need is an extremely basic smartphone for calls, texts, and very light app usage, and you prioritize minimizing cost above all else. Buy the Nokia G11 Plus if you want a more fluid user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and a phone that feels less sluggish during daily use, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia G11 Plus struggle with popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
While not a powerhouse, the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G11 Plus is capable of running social media apps smoothly. You may experience some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously, but for typical social media usage, it should be adequate. The Wiko Y81 with its Helio A20 will likely exhibit more noticeable lag.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Nokia G11 Plus a significant drawback?
10W charging is slow compared to modern standards, taking several hours for a full charge. However, it's typical for phones in this price range. Given the likely smaller battery capacity and lower power draw of both devices, overnight charging is a viable solution. The convenience of a faster charger is outweighed by the overall affordability of the phone.
❓ Can the Wiko Y81 handle basic games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
The Wiko Y81 can run very simple games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers, but expect limited performance and potential frame rate drops. More demanding games will likely be unplayable. The Helio A20 is simply not designed for gaming.
❓ Does the Nokia G11 Plus support software updates?
Nokia generally provides a reasonable level of software support for its budget devices, including security updates. While major Android version updates aren't guaranteed, you can expect to receive security patches for a period after launch, enhancing the phone's security and stability.
