Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Nokia C21 Plus and the realme 8. I'll break down the specifications, focusing on what they mean for real-world usage, and then provide some clear recommendations.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Nokia C21 Plus | realme 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 162 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm | The Nokia is slightly taller, while both phones are similarly wide and thick. These are both standard designs that will feel similar in the hand. The small weight difference will likely go unnoticed during normal use. |
| Weight | 178g | 191g | Nokia C21 Plus is a touch lighter, potentially feeling more comfortable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.52" | 6.78" | The realme 8 offers a larger screen, providing a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1264x2780 | The realme 8 has a significantly sharper display with more pixels resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 269 | 450 | The higher pixel density on the realme 8 will result in a noticeably crisper and more detailed visual experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED on the realme 8 offers deeper blacks, superior contrast, more vibrant colors, and is more energy-efficient with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the realme 8 makes scrolling and animations much smoother compared to the 60Hz on the Nokia C21 Plus, enhancing the overall responsiveness of the device. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Note: This data point is incorrect. Both phones will have a non-zero peak brightness. Without the actual figures, we can assume typical brightness for their respective display technologies. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm) | The Snapdragon chip in the realme 8 is significantly more powerful and efficient due to its modern 4nm architecture. This means smoother performance in demanding tasks like gaming, multitasking and overall system responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 109,200 | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus's AnTuTu score indicates it's an entry-level performer. The realme 8 is not available to compare, but considering its chipset, it is significantly more performant. |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 732 | The Adreno 732 in the realme 8 is vastly superior in graphics processing, which translates to a better gaming experience and snappier UI transitions. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 13MP | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus has a standard 13MP camera, whereas the realme 8 has no primary rear camera mentioned in this data. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP (f/2.2) | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus has a 5MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture for selfies, whereas the realme 8 has no front camera mentioned. |
| Portrait (depth) | 2MP (f/2.4) | N/A | Nokia C21 Plus provides additional depth-sensing for portrait mode, but realme 8 does not mention it. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps | The realme 8 records video at 4k, 1080p at multiple frame rates with OIS and EIS. The Nokia C21 plus records 1080p at 30 fps. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Dual camera, PDAF, HDR, etc. | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus includes several additional camera features, such as digital zoom, PDAF, HDR, and face detection. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 0 mAh | Note: Battery capacity for the realme 8 is listed as 0 mAh which is incorrect. Without the actual battery capacity for the realme 8 we will assume that it has a similar capacity to the Nokia. The Nokia C21 plus provides a decent amount of battery power, but the actual battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | Standard | The Nokia C21 Plus has 10W fast charging, allowing for faster recharge times, but it is not very fast. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Standard Features | The battery is not removable in the Nokia C21 Plus, which is a standard feature. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 14 | The realme 8 runs on a newer version of Android, providing access to the latest features, security updates, and improved performance. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus supports older WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus has an older Bluetooth version, but still has A2DP and LE support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, etc. | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus includes more satellite systems for accurate location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus supports dual SIM usage, but there is no information about the realme 8. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus offers 32 GB or 64 GB of internal storage. |
| RAM | 2GB/4GB | N/A | The Nokia C21 Plus offers 2 GB or 4 GB of RAM, the realme 8 has no RAM mentioned in this data set. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both devices do not offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both phones offer basic audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones feature a fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication, it is rear mounted for the Nokia. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use similar screen protection, but details are not available. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Accelerometer | Basic Sensors | The Nokia C21 Plus has more comprehensive sensor suite with Proximity, and Accelerometer sensors, making it more feature-rich in terms of sensor related features. |
2. Key Insights
Nokia C21 Plus Strengths:
- Affordability: The C21 Plus is likely a budget-friendly option, focusing on essential features.
- Dual SIM Support: Offers the convenience of using two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a range of sensors for better functionality.
- Camera Features: It has a variety of features such as digital zoom, autofocus, and HDR capabilities.
- GPS: Includes more satellite systems to improve location services.
realme 8 Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a much better viewing experience with vibrant colors and smooth scrolling.
- Massive Performance Advantage: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset is significantly more powerful, providing a vastly superior performance and gaming experience.
- Advanced Video Recording: The ability to record at 4K at 60 fps with OIS and EIS is a major advantage.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14, offering the latest features, security, and performance enhancements.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Nokia C21 Plus: The relatively low-resolution IPS LCD screen and less powerful chipset make it less suited for demanding tasks, such as gaming and video consumption.
- realme 8: The specifications provided have many data points missing. More information would be needed to have a more well rounded picture. The device does not appear to have a camera, and the battery capacity is incorrectly listed as 0 mAh, therefore it is hard to make a recommendation based on that.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia C21 Plus is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those needing basic smartphone functionality for calls, messages, and light browsing.
- First-Time Smartphone Users: Simple to use and easy to get to grips with, without all the bells and whistles.
- Users Needing Dual SIM Support: If you need the flexibility of using two different numbers on the same device.
- Users Who Don't Need High Performance: Suited for basic app usage and not very demanding tasks.
realme 8 is Ideal For:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Gamers and those who demand smooth and responsive performance.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who value a great display and want to consume content, or those who want to record video at 4K at 60 fps.
- Users Wanting the Latest Software: Those wanting access to the latest Android features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider when deciding between these phones:
- How important is display quality to you?
- If vibrant colors, high resolution, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate are a must, the realme 8's AMOLED screen is the clear winner. If you are not bothered about a premium screen, then the Nokia C21 is sufficient.
- What will you use your phone for primarily?
- For basic tasks like calls, messages, and casual browsing, the Nokia C21 Plus is adequate. If you want to engage in gaming, demanding apps, or video recording then the realme 8 is the better choice due to the vastly superior performance.
- What is your budget?
- The Nokia C21 Plus is likely the more affordable option and might be a better value proposition if you are on a budget.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a Student on a Budget: Nokia C21 Plus is the better option, with a sufficient feature set and likely to be more affordable.
- For a Gamer: The realme 8 will perform significantly better due to the higher performing CPU and GPU.
- For a Casual User: The Nokia C21 Plus is likely to be sufficient for basic usage.
What I Would Choose
Given the information provided, I would choose the realme 8, if the data for this phone were not missing.
Here’s why:
- Display Quality: As a tech journalist, I deeply appreciate a great display, and the AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate in realme 8 would dramatically enhance the overall experience.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 offers significantly more processing power, ensuring smooth multitasking and responsiveness, which is crucial for my daily usage and testing applications.
- Camera: I would lean towards the phone with better video capabilities since I take a lot of video and photos.
- Software: The realme 8 is running the newer OS Android 14.
Although the Nokia C21 Plus has some advantages in specific areas such as the inclusion of GPS, and Dual SIM capabilities, the realme 8 would greatly improve daily usage. The biggest issue with this comparison is that the realme 8 is missing crucial data, making it difficult to make a recommendation. Based on the incomplete dataset, it is still the better phone, however I would recommend verifying this information in more detail before making a purchasing decision.
