The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade A55 and Nokia G21 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches – the ZTE prioritizing a lower cost, while the Nokia focuses on extended battery life and faster charging. 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 A55’s SC9863A1. The inclusion of 18W PD3.0 charging is also a significant benefit, offsetting the identical 126-hour endurance rating.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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 | 2024, January | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.7 x 77.4 x 8.5 mm (6.60 x 3.05 x 0.33 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 | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | 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 SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 | 13 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 8 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, GALILEO, GLONASS | 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 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Starry Black, Sunset Orange | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | Z2450 | 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 A55
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable battery life for basic use
- Functional for essential smartphone tasks
- Outdated and slow Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely limited software support
Nokia G21
- More powerful Unisoc T606 chipset
- Faster 18W PD3.0 charging
- Better outdoor visibility with 500 nits brightness
- Slightly higher price than the ZTE Blade A55
- Camera performance likely remains basic
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
Display Comparison
Both the ZTE Blade A55 and Nokia G21 share a contrast ratio of 1631:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Nokia G21 boasts a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, which will translate to better visibility outdoors compared to the ZTE, where brightness is not specified. While neither phone is likely to impress display enthusiasts, the Nokia’s higher brightness provides a tangible usability advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price point, expectations should be tempered. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Nokia’s slightly more advanced chipset may offer better image processing capabilities, potentially leading to marginally improved photo quality. The absence of detail suggests neither phone will excel in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 chipset represents a clear upgrade over the ZTE Blade A55’s Unisoc SC9863A1. The T606 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6GHz alongside six A55 cores, while the A55’s SC9863A1 relies solely on eight slower A55 cores. This architectural difference, coupled with the T606’s fabrication on a more efficient 12nm process versus the SC9863A1’s 22nm, results in noticeably snappier performance in everyday tasks and improved multitasking capabilities for the Nokia. The Nokia will handle app switching and moderately demanding apps with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both the ZTE Blade A55 and Nokia G21 achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Nokia G21’s 18W wired charging with PD3.0 support provides a significant advantage over the ZTE’s slower 10W charging. This means the Nokia can be topped up much faster, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience. While both will last a full day for typical users, the Nokia’s charging speed is a key differentiator.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A55 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, faster charging, and a slightly more future-proof chipset, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 handle popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 chipset in the Nokia G21 is significantly more capable than the ZTE Blade A55’s processor. It will handle social media apps, web browsing, and basic multitasking without noticeable lag, providing a much smoother user experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Nokia G21 with the 18W charger?
While the Nokia G21 supports 18W PD3.0 charging, the actual charging time will vary depending on the charger used and the phone's current battery level. Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 2-2.5 hours, a substantial improvement over the ZTE Blade A55’s slower 10W charging.
❓ Is the camera on either phone good enough for casual snapshots?
Both phones are equipped with basic camera systems. While they can capture acceptable photos in good lighting conditions, don't expect high-quality images or advanced features. They are suitable for casual snapshots and quick social media posts, but not for serious photography.
