Okay, let's break down the Nokia G100 and the Samsung Galaxy S24+ and see how they stack up in the real world. Here's a structured comparison designed to help you make an informed decision.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Nokia G100 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.6 × 76.7 × 8.9 mm | 158.5 × 75.9 × 7.7 mm | The S24+ is more compact and thinner, likely making it more comfortable to hold and pocket, especially for people with smaller hands or prefer a slimmer phone. |
| Weight | 195.1g | 196g | Both phones are practically the same weight, so weight won't be a differentiating factor when choosing between them. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.52" | 6.7" | The S24+ has a slightly larger screen, which translates to a more immersive viewing experience, particularly beneficial for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3120 | The S24+ has a much sharper and clearer display due to the significantly higher resolution. Expect crisper text, more detailed images, and better overall visual quality. |
| Pixel Density | 269 ppi | 513 ppi | The higher pixel density of the S24+ results in a noticeably sharper display where individual pixels are much harder to distinguish, leading to a smoother, more detailed image. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | The Nokia G100 has an IPS LCD display. While functional, it is generally considered inferior to modern OLED displays found in high-end phones. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the S24+ makes scrolling, animations, and gaming feel smoother and more responsive. The Nokia G100’s 60Hz display is standard but can feel less fluid in comparison. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | The S24+ has dramatically higher brightness, making it much easier to use outdoors in bright sunlight. The Nokia G100 appears to have no brightness data provided, an oddity. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The S24+ has a vastly superior processor. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and much better performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 201,615 | 1,639,695 | The S24+ scores over 7 times higher in benchmarks, highlighting its massive performance advantage. The S24+ will be much more future-proof and capable of handling intensive tasks for years to come. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 750 | The S24+ uses a far more powerful GPU, resulting in significantly better graphics performance for gaming, video editing, and other visually intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 13MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor | The S24+ has a much higher resolution main camera with a larger sensor and wider aperture, leading to significantly better image quality, especially in low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.2 | The S24+ has a higher resolution selfie camera and wider aperture, resulting in better selfie quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9" sensor | The S24+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling better zoom capabilities which are missing entirely on the Nokia G100. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | The S24+ has a much higher resolution ultra-wide camera, capturing more detail and with a larger sensor for superior performance. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Nokia G100 has a dedicated portrait lens for creating depth in photos. Samsung uses algorithms to achieve the same, but it is better to have the dedicated sensor. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | The S24+ supports far higher resolution video recording, including 8K capabilities, as well as HDR, EIS, and stereo sound, making it much better for video content creation. |
| Camera Features | Basic features | Advanced features like Night Mode 2.0, 4K/8K Video, OIS | The S24+ comes with advanced features that are not found on the Nokia G100. This gives the S24+ a clear advantage in the photo and video department. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, suggesting similar battery life performance under similar usage scenarios, but the more efficient chipset on the S24+ will likely extend battery life despite the slightly smaller cell. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | The S24+ charges significantly faster thanks to its 45W fast charging. The 15W charging of the Nokia G100 will feel slow in comparison. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging, Non-removable | The S24+ has far superior charging features, including wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and bypass charging, which can prolong battery life if the phone is frequently used whilst plugged in, which is very convenient. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 14, upgradable up to 21 | The S24+ ships with the latest Android version and is eligible for many more upgrades, making it more future-proof and secure. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6E | The S24+ supports newer WiFi standards, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 LE with advanced features | The S24+ has a newer Bluetooth version with more advanced features, offering a more reliable and feature-rich connection with peripherals. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The S24+ supports more satellite systems, offering better location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | The S24+ offers the flexibility of eSIM along with Nano SIM, catering to modern users and those who travel often. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/128GB | 256/512GB | The S24+ provides much more storage, essential for storing more media and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 12GB | The S24+ has vastly more RAM, making it much better for multitasking and running demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | The S24+ offers superior audio capabilities, with stereo speakers and noise cancellation, ideal for media consumption and clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The Nokia G100 comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is a lot more secure than a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The S24+ uses superior screen protection, making it more resistant to scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | The S24+ offers a more complete sensor suite with added compass, Hall, and geomagnetic sensors, enhancing its capabilities. |
| ## 2. Key Insights |
Nokia G100:
- Strengths: The Nokia G100's primary appeal is its affordability and basic functionality. It has a large battery that will last most users for a full day of use.
- Trade-offs: It lags significantly behind in almost every aspect of performance, from the display to processing power. The cameras and features are very basic for the modern market.
- Competitive Advantages: It wins in the value category by being a low budget smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S24+:
- Strengths: The S24+ stands out with its high-performance chipset, excellent display, advanced camera system, and fast charging capabilities. It has a premium build quality with top-notch connectivity features and software.
- Trade-offs: The S24+ is a much more expensive phone. The main trade-off is that there are not that many improvements over the previous model
- Competitive Advantages: The S24+ is an all-rounder. It has an excellent display, cutting-edge processor, versatile camera, top-tier build quality, advanced software, and high-tech features.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia G100 User:
- User Profile: Budget-conscious individuals looking for a reliable smartphone for basic tasks such as calls, texts, and light browsing.
- Use Case: Perfect for users who need a phone that is simply going to work, such as the elderly or those who prefer to keep away from technology.
- Recommendation: This phone is well-suited for basic users on a tight budget who do not require high-performance features and advanced camera capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ User:
- User Profile: Tech-savvy users who need a high-performance smartphone for gaming, professional-grade photos/videos, and intensive multitasking.
- Use Case: Ideal for professionals, content creators, gamers, and anyone who wants the best possible experience.
- Recommendation: Great for individuals who are looking for the most versatile smartphone with top-end features and are willing to invest in high-quality technology.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
What is your budget? If you are on a strict budget, the Nokia G100 is the only one you can consider. If you can afford a more expensive phone, the S24+ may be a better choice.
How important is performance and features to you? If you need a phone for simple tasks, the Nokia G100 will be ok. However, if you're going to multitask or use demanding applications, the S24+ is your only choice.
What is your long-term need for the phone? If you are looking for a phone that you are going to use for many years to come, the software updates, performance, and battery features of the S24+ will give you a better long-term experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Basic User - A user who only needs a smartphone for calls and texts on a budget.
- Recommendation: Nokia G100
Scenario 2: Casual User - A user that needs a decent all-around phone for social media and browsing with moderate camera needs.
- Recommendation: The Nokia G100 may still be suitable, although the Samsung S24+ is better if you can afford it.
Scenario 3: Power User - A user who wants the best performance and will be using the phone for gaming and intensive applications.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S24+
My Choice
If I were choosing, I'd go with the Samsung Galaxy S24+, without a second thought, and here's why. As a tech journalist, I need a phone that can keep up with my daily tasks and provide a good experience across the board. The S24+'s superior performance, advanced camera system, high-quality display, and robust software make it an all-around winner. For me, the added cost is justified by the considerable gains in speed, feature set, and overall experience.
While the Nokia G100 may serve as a budget-friendly option for some, its limitations in performance and features would leave me wanting more. I appreciate a smartphone that can handle anything I throw at it.
The S24+ is not just a phone; it's an investment in a superior mobile experience.
