Alright, let's break down the Nokia C21 Plus and the Honor 90. These two phones occupy very different spaces in the market, and the specs make that abundantly clear. Here's a detailed look, designed to help you understand which might be right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Nokia C21 Plus | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | The Nokia is slightly larger and thicker, the Honor is slimmer and easier to hold for most. |
| Weight | 178g | 183g | The Nokia is slightly lighter. It is negligable but noticeable during extended use. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.52" | 6.7" | Honor has a slightly larger screen, good for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1200 x 2664 | Honor's display is significantly sharper, text and images will be much clearer. |
| PPI | 269 | 435 | Honor's higher pixel density means sharper visuals, leading to better details. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Honor's AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor's screen is much brighter, more visible outdoors and under direct sunlight. The Nokia is not tested for brightness, suggesting low visibility. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor's chipset is far more powerful; expect much faster app loading, gaming, and overall responsiveness. Nokia's 28nm is very basic in comparison to the 4nm process. |
| AnTuTu Score | 109,200 | 701,227 | Honor has a significantly higher performance, handling demanding apps and games with ease, while Nokia might struggle. |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 644 | Honor's GPU is much more powerful, resulting in better gaming and graphics. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP | 200MP, f/1.9 | Honor's main camera is way more detailed, produces significantly higher quality images. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor's front camera has a lot more detail for selfies and video calls, while Nokia is lower quality. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Comparable depth sensors on both devices, used for portrait photos. |
| Wide Angle Camera | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 has a ultrawide angle camera for creative versatility, Nokia C21+ does not. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Honor can capture higher-resolution video and smoother framerates. |
| DXOMark | N/A | 122 | Honor has been tested for main camera, while Nokia is not tested. |
| Camera Features | Basic features | 4K, Night, RAW | Honor has much more advanced features for creative photography and video. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Honor should have longer battery life due to larger capacity and more efficient chipset. |
| Charging | 10W | 66W | Honor charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Ion battery provides better power output than Li-Polymer. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Honor has a newer Android version and will receive more software updates. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n | Wi-Fi 6 | Honor supports faster and more stable Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.2 | Honor has a more modern and efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Basic GPS | Advanced GPS | Honor can better locate your location in different situations and conditions. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB | 256GB/512GB | Honor has much more internal storage, allowing for far more media, apps, and files. |
| RAM | 2GB/4GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Honor handles multitasking and demanding apps much more efficiently. |
| Expandable | No | No | No storage expansion in either device. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Quality | Basic | Noise Cancellation | Honor has a microphone with noise cancellation, reducing background noises during calls. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Features | Rear Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both phones offer basic fingerprint protection. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones share similar screen protection technology. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Honor offers more sensors for better user experience and application usage. |
2. Key Insights
Nokia C21 Plus:
- Strengths: This phone is very basic but excels as a simple, affordable device for basic tasks and if you want to minimize screen time. Its lighter weight is a minor positive.
- Limitations: It's significantly underpowered compared to the Honor 90 in every category. Expect slow performance, a low-quality display, and sub-par cameras. It is best suited for undemanding users.
Honor 90:
- Strengths: This is a powerhouse in comparison. Its screen is gorgeous, performance is blazing fast, and the cameras capture impressive images. It has a much larger storage, battery, and modern features that enhance the overall user experience.
- Limitations: It's larger and slightly heavier than the Nokia, and its lack of expandable storage could be a concern for some.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia C21 Plus is for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a basic phone for calls, texts, and simple apps and do not want to spend much.
- Minimalists: People who want a straightforward phone with minimal distractions and limitations.
- Backup Devices: A cheap spare phone for emergencies or travel.
Honor 90 is for:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a high-quality display for videos, gaming, and social media.
- Photography Lovers: Users who want to capture high-quality photos and videos, and use editing apps.
- Performance Seekers: Those who want a fast and responsive phone for demanding apps and multitasking.
- Power Users: People who need a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyles.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What's your budget? The Nokia is aimed at budget-conscious buyers, while the Honor 90 is a higher-end phone.
- What do you need most from a smartphone? If you need great performance and camera, the Honor is the clear winner. If you just need basic functionality the Nokia fits the bill.
- How important is screen quality and camera? If a bright, sharp display and high-quality photos matter, you should opt for the Honor 90.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Use, Low Budget: Choose the Nokia C21 Plus.
- Scenario 2: General Use, Moderate Budget: The Honor 90 would be a worthwhile investment for its value, performance and features.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia and Camera Focused: Choose the Honor 90 without question.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two, I would definitely go for the Honor 90. While I appreciate the simplicity and affordability of the Nokia C21 Plus, the Honor 90 offers a far superior experience across the board. As a tech journalist and mobile analyst, I need a phone that can keep up with my demanding workload, capture high-quality photos and videos for my work, and provide a smooth and enjoyable user experience.
The Honor 90's impressive display, blazing-fast performance, and versatile camera system make it a much more compelling device. The difference in performance alone, as highlighted by the AnTuTu scores, is massive. As someone who values a fast and responsive device, the Honor 90's Snapdragon chipset is a must-have.
While the price difference is significant, the Honor 90 justifies its higher cost with its overall value and significant technological advancements. It's a phone that I'd rely on daily, not just a tool for basic tasks.
