Apple iPhone 13 Pro vs Nokia C31 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia C31
Nokia C31
Nokia

General

Launch Date September 24, 2021 September 1, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 80.77 cm³ 113.5 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.99 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 204 g 200 g
Height 146.7 mm 169.2 mm
Width 71.5 mm 78 mm
Thickness 7.7 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Sierra Blue
  • Alpine Green
  • Mint
  • Charcoal
  • Cyan

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.75 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 83.4 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 260 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1000 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 83.18 mAh/in² 110.84 mAh/in²
Battery Density 38.32 mAh/cm³ 44.49 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3095 mAh 5050 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard) Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (5-core graphics) IMG8322

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 microUSB 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 15 12
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive deep into this comparison of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the Nokia C31. This isn't just about specs on a page; it's about how these phones will fit into your daily life.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed look at the key differences between these two phones, broken down into logical categories:

FeatureApple iPhone 13 ProNokia C31Real-World Implications
Design
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.7 mm169.2 × 78 × 8.6 mmiPhone 13 Pro is noticeably smaller and thinner, making it easier to handle with one hand. C31 feels larger and bulkier.
Weight204g200gBoth feel similarly hefty, but the iPhone 13 Pro feels more dense
BuildPremium materialsStandard materialsiPhone 13 Pro feels more durable and luxurious
Display
Size6.1"6.75"C31 provides a larger viewing area, great for media consumption, while iPhone 13 Pro is more pocketable.
Resolution1170 x 2532720 x 1600iPhone 13 Pro delivers much sharper and clearer visuals, noticeably less pixelated.
Pixel Density460 ppi260 ppiiPhone 13 Pro offers significantly sharper text and images.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 13 Pro provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast.
Refresh Rate120Hz60HziPhone 13 Pro provides much smoother animations and scrolling experience.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 13 Pro is much better for outdoor use, especially in bright sunlight. C31 does not have brightness data
Performance
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5nm)Unisoc SC9863A (28nm)iPhone 13 Pro has significantly faster processing power; apps load faster, multitasking is smoother.
AnTuTu Score1,325,768109,200iPhone 13 Pro offers extremely high performance, C31 will feel sluggish in comparison.
GPUApple (5-core)IMG8322 (PowerVR)iPhone 13 Pro provides much better graphic performance for gaming and graphically intense apps.
Camera
Main Camera Resolution12MP13MPMarginal difference, but sensor quality is more important than resolution alone. iPhone 13 Pro uses Sony's IMX703 sensor
Selfie Camera Resolution12MP5MPiPhone 13 Pro will take much clearer and detailed selfies.
Telephoto LensYesNoiPhone 13 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, great for portraits and distant objects.
Wide Angle LensYesNoiPhone 13 Pro lets you capture more of the scene in your photos and videos.
ToF 3D SensorYesNoiPhone 13 Pro provides more accurate depth information and faster autofocus.
Portrait Mode (Depth)NoYesC31 Offers this feature, which makes photos have blurred backgrounds, and focuses on the subject
Macro LensNoYesC31 Offers this feature, which makes photos closer up
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fps with HDR1080p@30fpsiPhone 13 Pro records much higher quality, smoother, and more color-accurate videos.
Camera DXoMark ScoreMobile: 141, Selfie: 134Not testedApple iPhone 13 Pro offers substantially better picture and video quality
Optical StabilizationYesNoiPhone 13 Pro offers better image stability, less blur while taking pictures or videos.
Battery Life
Capacity3125 mAh5050 mAhC31 has a much larger battery, likely to provide better battery life, but efficiency also plays a role.
Charging20W Fast Charging10W Fast ChargingiPhone 13 Pro charges faster.
Wireless ChargingMagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5WNoiPhone 13 Pro offers wireless charging convenience.
Other
OSiOS 15, upgradeable to 18Android 12Different ecosystems, iOS is known for it's software and hardware integration. Android for its flexibility.
Wi-FiWiFi 6802.11niPhone 13 Pro supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connections.
Bluetooth5.04.2iPhone 13 Pro offers a more stable and efficient Bluetooth connection.
Storage128GB - 1TB64GB or 128GBiPhone 13 Pro offers significantly more storage options.
RAM6GB4GBiPhone 13 Pro has more memory for smoother multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phones support external storage.

2. Key Insights

Apple iPhone 13 Pro:

  • Strengths: Top-tier performance, exceptionally sharp display, superior camera system, smoother software experience, faster wireless and wired charging options, and overall premium build.
  • Competitive Advantages: Its combination of processing power, display quality, and photography capabilities puts it in a different class.
  • Trade-offs: Smaller display, lower battery capacity, and much higher price point.

Nokia C31:

  • Strengths: Much larger battery, larger display, lower price.
  • Competitive Advantages: It focuses on practical features with a very affordable price tag.
  • Trade-offs: Weaker performance, lower resolution display, sub-par camera system, and slower charging speeds.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

Apple iPhone 13 Pro:

  • Ideal For: Power users, content creators, photography enthusiasts, gamers, and anyone who wants the best possible smartphone experience regardless of cost.
  • Use Cases: Professional photography, demanding games, 4k video recording, editing on the go, and multitasking between resource-intensive apps.
  • Recommendation: If you need the absolute best performance, camera capabilities, and a smooth user experience, and you have a budget to match, the iPhone 13 Pro is a clear winner.

Nokia C31:

  • Ideal For: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize battery life, or those who just need a reliable phone for basic tasks.
  • Use Cases: Everyday communication, browsing, media consumption, light gaming, and long periods away from a charger.
  • Recommendation: If you need a dependable phone for everyday tasks with a large battery and don't need the latest and greatest in processing power, the Nokia C31 is a great value proposition.

4. Buying Decision Framework

To help you decide between these two phones, ask yourself these questions:

  1. What's my budget? The iPhone 13 Pro is significantly more expensive than the Nokia C31.
  2. How important is performance to me? The iPhone 13 Pro is miles ahead when it comes to speed and responsiveness.
  3. What will be my primary use case? If you want to do resource-intensive tasks like gaming or videography, go for the iPhone. If it's just browsing, social media, and calls, then the Nokia would suffice.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: The Power User - If you need top-notch performance for demanding tasks, content creation, and gaming, the iPhone 13 Pro is the best choice.
  • Scenario 2: The Budget Conscious User - If you need a large screen, a very large battery, and don't need all the frills, the Nokia C31 is ideal.
  • Scenario 3: The Everyday User - If you are somewhere in the middle, weighing the need for quality and power versus cost, then the decision is a personal balance of needs and budget. If you are closer to the need for the power, choose the iPhone, otherwise, you should probably choose the Nokia.

Final Thoughts:

The iPhone 13 Pro and the Nokia C31 are targeted at very different audiences. The iPhone 13 Pro is a high-performance beast with a premium feel, a top-tier camera, and an amazing display. The Nokia C31 is a budget-friendly, reliable phone with a focus on battery life. This difference in performance is reflected in price. Your choice will ultimately come down to what you want and how much you are willing to spend for it.

My Choice:

Personally, if I had to choose one, I would go with the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. While it's significantly more expensive, my priorities lie in having a phone that excels in every aspect, especially processing power, display quality, and camera performance. As a tech journalist, those features are important for my daily work and play. The difference in performance alone is enough to justify the cost, as is the improved video and picture quality. However, the price difference between the two is not a small one, and if you don't need all those bells and whistles, the Nokia C31 will be perfectly adequate for your needs.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.