The ZTE nubia Music and Nokia G100 represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The nubia Music prioritizes a dedicated audio experience, while the Nokia G100 aims for a more balanced feature set powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best value for users seeking affordability without sacrificing essential functionality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and a smoother experience, the Nokia G100 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset, built on an 11nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the ZTE nubia Music’s Unisoc SC9863A, despite the slower charging speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 44, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 28 | 2022, September 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | Available. Released 2022, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 74.9 x 8.6 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) | 166.6 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm (6.56 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 195.1 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0"
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes, dual jacks | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Yellow; other colors | Nordic Blue |
| Models | Z2353 | - |
| Price | € 93.99 | About 60 EUR |
ZTE nubia Music
- Potentially optimized for audio playback (based on name)
- Lower price point (likely)
- Simpler software experience (potentially)
- Unisoc SC9863A chipset offers significantly lower performance
- Slower 10W charging
- Likely less efficient power consumption
Nokia G100
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 provides superior performance
- Faster 15W charging
- More efficient power consumption
- May be slightly more expensive
- Nokia's software update policy can be inconsistent
- Potentially less focused on audio features
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Details regarding panel type (IPS, TFT) and resolution are missing, but both likely target the 720p+ range common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity. However, the lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of color accuracy or brightness. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a precise camera comparison is difficult. However, it's safe to assume both devices feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The Nokia G100 likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally provides better image processing capabilities than those found in Unisoc chipsets. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia G100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) significantly outperforms the ZTE nubia Music’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The 11nm fabrication process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 662’s CPU configuration – 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver – is also more powerful than the nubia Music’s 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Nokia G100. While both utilize an octa-core configuration, the architectural differences are substantial.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Nokia G100’s 15W wired charging offers a faster charging experience than the ZTE nubia Music’s 10W charging. While a larger battery capacity on the nubia Music could offset the slower charging, the Snapdragon 662’s improved power efficiency on the Nokia G100 could result in comparable or even better real-world battery life despite a potentially smaller battery size. The faster charging on the Nokia G100 is a significant convenience factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Music if you are a dedicated audiophile on a tight budget and prioritize a focused audio experience above all else. Its name suggests a strong emphasis on sound quality, which may be its primary draw. Buy the Nokia G100 if you prefer a more versatile smartphone experience with better overall performance for everyday tasks, light gaming, and a more responsive user interface. The Snapdragon 662 offers a more future-proof platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the ZTE nubia Music struggle with modern mobile games?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A is a low-end chipset and will likely struggle with graphically demanding games. Expect low frame rates and significant lag, even on lower settings. The Nokia G100’s Snapdragon 662 offers a much more playable gaming experience, though still limited to less intensive titles.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Nokia G100 compared to the ZTE nubia Music in real-world use?
While exact 0-100% times are unavailable, the 15W charging on the Nokia G100 will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the 10W charging on the ZTE nubia Music. Expect to gain several percentage points of battery life in the same amount of time with the Nokia G100.
❓ Is the Nokia G100 a good choice for someone who frequently uses social media apps?
Yes, the Snapdragon 662 in the Nokia G100 provides a smoother and more responsive experience when using social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The Unisoc SC9863A in the ZTE nubia Music may exhibit noticeable lag and slowdowns when multitasking between these apps.
