Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The ZTE Blade A51 and Nokia C21 Plus are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia C21 Plus edges out the ZTE Blade A51 thanks to its slightly more reliable brand reputation and inclusion of 10W charging. Both share the same Unisoc chipset, so performance will be similar, but Nokia's software support and charging advantage give it a slight edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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 | 2021, May 08 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 08 | Available. Released 2022, April 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.5 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.56 x 2.98 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 | 173.7 g (6.14 oz) | 178 g or 191 g (6.28 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, AF
2 MP | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh | Li-Ion 4000/5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Dark Cyan, Warm Gray |
| Models | - | TA-1433, TA-1431, TA-1426, TA-1424 |
| Price | - | 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) |
ZTE Blade A51
- Larger Display (potentially)
- Potentially Lower Price
- Versatile Camera (potentially)
- No Dedicated Charging Specs
- Brand Reputation (less established)
- Performance Limitations
Nokia C21 Plus
- Trusted Brand (Nokia)
- 10W Charging
- Reliable Software Support (potentially)
- Simpler Camera
- Potentially Higher Price
- Performance Limitations
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.52-inch HD+ display, offering a similar viewing experience. Expect decent color reproduction and adequate brightness for everyday use, though neither excels in this area. The ZTE might have slightly better color accuracy, but it's marginal.
Camera Comparison
The ZTE Blade A51 likely has a slightly more versatile camera setup, potentially including a depth sensor alongside the main camera. The Nokia C21 Plus probably focuses on a simpler, more reliable camera experience. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light on both.
Performance
Powered by the same Unisoc SC9863A chipset, performance will be largely comparable. Expect adequate performance for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Don't expect to run demanding games smoothly on either device. Multitasking will be limited due to the modest RAM (likely 2-3GB on both).
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a 4000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Nokia C21 Plus's inclusion of 10W charging provides a noticeable advantage over the ZTE Blade A51, which likely lacks dedicated charging specifications.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A51 is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and potentially a slightly lower price point (depending on retailer). The Nokia C21 Plus is ideal for those seeking a more trusted brand, a slightly better charging experience, and potentially longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Nokia generally offers better and more consistent software updates, especially security patches, compared to ZTE in the budget segment.
❓ Can I play demanding games on either of these phones?
No, neither phone is suitable for demanding games. The Unisoc SC9863A chipset and limited RAM will struggle with graphically intensive titles.
