Nokia C31 vs Apple iPhone 16 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia C31
Nokia C31
Nokia

General

Launch Date September 1, 2022 September 20, 2024
Release Year 2022 2024

Physical

Volume 113.5 cm³ 82.43 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.38 "/g 3.59 "/g
Weight 200 g 170 g
Height 169.2 mm 147.6 mm
Width 78 mm 71.6 mm
Thickness 8.6 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Mint
  • Charcoal
  • Cyan
  • Black
  • White
  • Pink
  • Teal
  • Ultramarine

Display

Screen Size 6.75 " 6.1 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1179 x 2556
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.4 % 86.4 %
Pixel Density 260 PPI 460 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness N/A 1000 nits
HBM Brightness N/A 2000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 110.84 mAh/in² 95.70 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.49 mAh/cm³ 43.2 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5050 mAh 3561 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) Apple A18 (3 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz)
GPU IMG8322 Apple GPU (5-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features microUSB 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort

Software

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

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Nokia C31 and the Apple iPhone 16. We'll break down the specs, analyze the implications, and help you figure out which of these phones best fits your needs.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a look at the key technical specifications, broken down into categories with an emphasis on real-world implications:

FeatureNokia C31Apple iPhone 16Real-World Implications
Design
Launch Date2022-09-012024-09-20The iPhone 16 is a much newer device with advancements in technology and features.
Dimensions169.2 × 78 × 8.6 mm147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mmThe Nokia C31 is significantly larger, making it less pocketable than the iPhone 16.
Weight200g170gThe iPhone 16 is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
Display
Size6.75"6.1"The Nokia C31 has a larger display, suitable for media consumption; iPhone 16 more compact
Resolution720x16001179x2556The iPhone 16's higher resolution offers a much sharper and clearer picture.
PPI260460The iPhone 16's display will appear significantly more detailed.
TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDThe iPhone 16's OLED panel offers better contrast, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth have the standard 60Hz refresh rate, common in most phones.
Brightness0 nits2000 nitsThe iPhone 16 is vastly brighter, making it usable in direct sunlight, while the C31 will struggle.
Performance
ChipsetUnisoc SC9863A (28 nm)Apple A18 (3 nm)The iPhone 16's chipset is substantially faster and more efficient.
AnTuTu Score109,2001,753,018The iPhone 16 is vastly more powerful, for gaming and other intensive task.
GPUIMG8322 (PowerVR GE8322)Apple GPU (5-core)The iPhone 16 has a much more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Capacity5050mAh3561mAhWhile the C31 has a larger battery, actual endurance will depend on optimization.
Charging10W fast charging25W fast chargingThe iPhone 16 charges much faster, offsetting some of the capacity difference.
Charging FeaturesNon-removableNon-removable, 25W Wireless ChargingThe iPhone 16 offers wireless charging, while the C31 does not.
Camera
Standard Camera13MP48MP (f/1.6, 1/1.3", Sony IMX904)The iPhone 16 has a much higher resolution sensor with better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera5MP (f/2.2)12MP (f/1.9, Sony IMX714)The iPhone 16 has higher resolution and wider aperture for better selfies.
Depth Camera2MP (f/2.4)NoneThe Nokia C31 has a depth sensor to improve bokeh.
Macro Lens2MP (f/2.4)NoneThe Nokia C31 has a macro lens.
Wide Angle+MacroNone12MP(f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX633)The iPhone 16 has a dedicated ultrawide camera.
Video1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@60fps with HDRThe iPhone 16 records much higher-quality video with better stabilization.
FeaturesBasic FeaturesAdvanced FeaturesThe iPhone 16 offers a broader range of advanced camera features.
Software
OSAndroid 12iOS 18Different operating systems, Android is more customizable and iOS is generally more intuitive.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6EThe iPhone 16 supports newer, faster Wi-Fi standards.
Bluetooth4.2 LE5.3 LEThe iPhone 16 has a newer version with better performance and range.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1), NavIC SystemThe iPhone 16 has much more accurate location tracking.
SIMDual Nano SIMDual SIM (Nano + eSIM)The iPhone 16 offers eSIM support, adding versatility.
Storage & RAM
Internal Storage64GB/128GB128GB/256GB/512GBThe iPhone 16 offers substantially more storage options.
RAM4GB8GBThe iPhone 16 has more RAM for better multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage.
Audio
QualityBasic AudioDolby Atmos, Noise cancellation, Stereo SpeakersThe iPhone 16 offers a premium audio experience.
Security
Featuresrear-mounted fingerprint sensorBasic security featuresThe Nokia C31 offers basic biometric security.
Sensors
SensorsProximity, AccelerometerProximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, BarometerThe iPhone 16 features more sensors for greater functionality.

2. Key Insights

  • Nokia C31 Strengths: The Nokia C31 offers a larger display and a higher capacity battery. It also provides the basics with a fingerprint sensor and a triple camera system for users who need a reliable phone for daily tasks.

  • iPhone 16 Strengths: The iPhone 16 significantly outshines the Nokia C31 in nearly every other category. It has a superior display (OLED, higher resolution, much higher brightness), a vastly faster processor, a significantly better camera system (both stills and video), wireless charging, and a more robust connectivity suite.

  • Trade-offs: The Nokia C31 sacrifices processing power, display quality, and camera capabilities for a budget-friendly price and a larger battery. The iPhone 16 focuses on a premium experience but has a smaller screen and battery and comes at a much higher price point. The iPhone lacks the depth and macro lens.

  • Real-World User Experience: The iPhone 16 offers a smoother, more responsive user experience, with better media consumption and vastly better camera quality. The C31 provides the basics for communication and media consumption at a budget price, while its low performance is felt.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Nokia C31: This phone is best suited for users on a very tight budget who prioritize a large display and battery life over performance or camera quality. Great for simple tasks, and basic app use. This can also be a good phone for seniors as it is user-friendly, affordable and has a larger screen size for easier readability.

  • iPhone 16: This phone is ideal for those who want a top-tier smartphone with excellent performance, a high-quality display, an advanced camera system, and premium features. This is for the tech-savvy user who values smooth performance, quality photography and wants a seamless software experience.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three questions to help you decide:

  1. What is Your Budget? If your budget is very limited, the Nokia C31 is the only option. If you can afford it, the iPhone 16 is better in every other way.

  2. What are your performance needs? If you need a phone that can handle complex tasks and high-performance games, the iPhone 16 is the clear choice. If basic tasks are all you need, then the Nokia C31 will be enough for a fraction of the cost.

  3. What are your priorities? If you value an excellent camera, beautiful display and smooth experience, go for the iPhone 16. However, If you value a lower price point, a large screen and a long-lasting battery, the Nokia C31 may be sufficient.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • For the Budget User: Choose the Nokia C31 if you need a functional smartphone with a large display and a large battery, and cost is your primary constraint.
  • For the Casual User: If you occasionally use your camera and want an affordable, robust phone with a large display, the C31 is enough.
  • For the Tech Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 16 if you demand top-tier performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and seamless software.

What Would I Choose?

Given my background, and a preference for a smooth user experience and a great camera, I would choose the Apple iPhone 16. While the Nokia C31's larger battery is appealing, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. The iPhone 16's processor, display, and camera would make daily use much smoother and enjoyable. As someone who values performance, and high-quality images and videos, the advantages of the iPhone 16 are too compelling.

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.