The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade A33s and Nokia G21 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the ZTE prioritizing a lower cost while the Nokia focuses on extended battery life and a slightly more refined chipset. This comparison will break down the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia G21 emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the ZTE Blade A33s’ SC9863A. While both boast similar battery endurance ratings, the Nokia’s 18W PD3.0 charging provides a faster top-up.
| 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 | LTE | 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 | 2023, November | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160 x 78 x 10.3 mm (6.30 x 3.07 x 0.41 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 | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 1014 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~178 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.0 cm2 (~79.3% 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP (interpolated to 8 MP), AF | 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 | 2 MP (interpolated to 5 MP) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB | 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted, optional), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Blue, Green | 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) |
ZTE Blade A33s
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable battery life for basic use
- Functional for essential smartphone tasks
- Outdated and less efficient chipset
- Likely sluggish performance with multiple apps
- Limited charging capabilities
Nokia G21
- More powerful and efficient Unisoc T606 chipset
- Faster 18W PD3.0 charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Slightly higher price than the ZTE Blade A33s
- Camera performance likely remains basic
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations
Display Comparison
Both the ZTE Blade A33s and Nokia G21 share a contrast ratio of 1631:1, suggesting similar image quality in terms of black levels. However, the Nokia G21 boasts a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, which will translate to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While neither device is expected to offer exceptional color accuracy, the higher brightness of the Nokia G21 provides a tangible advantage in real-world usability. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs. VA) and resolution are missing, but given the price point, both likely utilize standard IPS LCDs.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given the price bracket, expectations should be tempered. It’s highly probable that both phones feature a primary sensor paired with basic auxiliary lenses (likely a depth or macro sensor of limited utility). Without further information, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner; however, Nokia’s brand reputation for image processing may offer a slight edge in software optimization.
Performance
The Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 chipset represents a clear upgrade over the ZTE Blade A33s’ Unisoc SC9863A. The T606 utilizes a more modern architecture with 2x Cortex-A75 cores alongside 6x Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the A33s’ all-Cortex-A55 configuration. This translates to significantly improved performance in CPU-intensive tasks and smoother multitasking. Furthermore, the T606 is fabricated on a 12nm process, offering better power efficiency than the A33s’ 28nm process, reducing heat and potentially improving sustained performance. The lack of RAM specifications for both devices makes a direct comparison difficult, but the chipset difference is the dominant factor.
Battery Life
Both the ZTE Blade A33s and Nokia G21 achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Nokia G21 includes 18W wired charging with PD3.0 support, allowing for faster charging speeds compared to the ZTE Blade A33s, which lacks specific charging details. While both will likely take several hours to fully charge, the Nokia’s faster charging capability provides a more convenient user experience, especially for those who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A33s if your absolute priority is minimizing upfront cost and you primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Nokia G21 if you value a smoother user experience, slightly better performance for multitasking and app loading, and the convenience of faster charging, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia G21 capable of handling popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc T606 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it can run PUBG Mobile at lower settings. Expect playable frame rates with reduced graphics quality. The ZTE Blade A33s’ SC9863A would struggle significantly more with this title.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Nokia G21 with the 18W charger?
With the included 18W PD3.0 charger, the Nokia G21 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. This is considerably faster than the ZTE Blade A33s, which likely lacks fast charging support and will take significantly longer.
❓ Does either phone have a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage?
Information regarding microSD card support is currently unavailable for both devices. However, given their target market, it's highly probable that both the ZTE Blade A33s and Nokia G21 include a microSD card slot to accommodate expandable storage needs.
