Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Nokia G21 and Realme 9 Pro. I'll be looking at these phones through the lens of a tech journalist who cares about the practical experience, not just the specs on a page.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of the key specs, focusing on what they mean for you in the real world:
| Feature | Nokia G21 | Realme 9 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5mm | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5mm | Virtually identical in size, both should feel similar in hand. |
| Weight | 190g | 195g | The Nokia is slightly lighter, potentially making it a bit more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Both are similarly sized, you'll see the difference when holding the two side by side |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | The Realme has a much sharper display, noticeable when viewing text, photos, or videos. The Nokia will look less detailed. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 400 | Again, the Realme's higher density will make it crisper and clearer in daily use. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both offer good color and viewing angles, as they both have an IPS LCD panel. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Realme's display will feel smoother, especially when scrolling or gaming. This will look like a marginal upgrade for most, but could be noticeable during use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12nm) | Snapdragon 695 (6nm) | The Realme has a significantly faster, more efficient processor. It will handle multitasking, demanding apps, and gaming with much more ease. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,300 | 402,916 | Benchmarks translate to real-world speed. The Realme will load apps quicker, multitask better, and handle games more smoothly |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 619 | The Realme's GPU is more capable, translating to better graphical performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5050mAh | 5000mAh | Very similar battery sizes, both should offer all-day battery life for most users with moderate use. |
| Charging | 18W Fast | 33W Fast | The Realme will charge much faster, saving you significant time plugged in. |
| Charger in Box | 10W | Not specified | Nokia G21 comes with a 10W charger in the box which is quite slow, the Realme 9 Pro charger is not specified, but is 33W charging compatible. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 50MP | 64MP | The Realme will likely capture more detailed photos and potentially offer better low-light performance, but ultimately it will come down to software processing |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.79 | Wider aperture on the Realme 9 Pro, which means better performance in low-light conditions |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/2.76" | 1/2" | A larger sensor on the Realme 9 Pro means more light can be captured, especially useful in darker settings |
| Front Camera Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | The Realme will capture sharper, more detailed selfies. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | No | Yes (8MP) | The Realme offers a wider perspective, ideal for group photos or landscapes. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | Yes (2MP) | No | The Nokia will have a dedicated depth sensor, allowing for better depth perception, which might translate to better bokeh in Portrait Mode |
| Macro Lens | Yes (2MP) | Yes (2MP) | Both have a dedicated macro lens which will allow for close up shots, but quality is not top tier on either option. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both are similar in video recording capabilities, but the Realme has additional software features that might lead to better quality. |
| Slow-motion recording | No | Yes, 120 fps | The Realme 9 Pro has a slow-motion video recording option that the Nokia G21 lacks. |
| Software | |||
| OS Version | Android 11 | Android 12 | The Realme ships with a more recent version of Android. |
| Max Version | Android 13 | Android 13 | Both phones are slated to receive Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11n | 802.11ac | The Realme supports faster Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | The Realme has a slightly more advanced version. Also, has higher quality codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Both phones have similar GPS capabilities, but Nokia also offers Galileo support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128GB | Realme has only one storage option, 128GB whereas the Nokia G21 has the option of 64GB and 128GB. |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 6/8GB | The Realme offers more RAM, which is better for multitasking, especially if you are running many apps simultaneously |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dual Microphone | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Dual Microphone | The Realme 9 Pro offers better audio recording quality, a noise cancellation microphone for calls, and a Hi-Res Audio output. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side Fingerprint | Side Fingerprint | Both phones have fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Realme 9 Pro offers more sensors, especially the gyroscope which is ideal for games that utilize motion controls. |
2. Key Insights
- Realme 9 Pro's Strengths: The Realme 9 Pro comes out on top in a lot of categories: A higher resolution display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a significantly more powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset, better main and selfie camera, and faster charging. It is positioned as a more powerful mid-range device, with extra features like slow-mo and 4k recording.
- Nokia G21's Advantages: The Nokia G21's main selling points are a slightly larger battery (even though the difference is marginal), the addition of a depth sensor for portrait mode and slightly better GPS coverage. If battery life is a huge need, this phone could be on your radar.
- Trade-offs: The main trade-off here is performance for some marginal upgrades in features on the Nokia. The Nokia sacrifices performance for extra features, but ultimately, the trade-off might not be worth it for most people.
- Real-World Performance: The Realme 9 Pro should perform significantly better in all aspects of daily use. It will handle apps, browsing, social media, and gaming with more ease. The Nokia G21, while not a bad phone, might feel sluggish in comparison.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia G21 is Best For:
- Users who prioritize a clean, user-friendly Android experience and prefer a simpler, less "techy" phone.
- Users with a tight budget who still need a decent all-around smartphone.
- Users who value slightly better battery life for long, extended use.
Realme 9 Pro is Best For:
- Users who want a more fluid, responsive, and powerful smartphone experience.
- Those who use their phones frequently for social media, watching videos, and gaming.
- Users who prefer better photography and videography performance.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to ask yourself when deciding between these two:
- How important is performance to you? If you regularly multitask, play graphically intensive games, or use demanding apps, the Realme 9 Pro is the obvious choice. The Nokia will not be able to compete in these areas.
- How much do you care about display quality? If you appreciate a sharp, detailed screen and smooth scrolling, the Realme 9 Pro is much better. If you are simply using the phone for basic use, the display of the Nokia is passable.
- What's your primary use case for the camera? If you love taking selfies and want good video quality, the Realme is superior. If you like taking photos of people, the portrait sensor of the Nokia might be beneficial for you.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Budget-Conscious: If price is the deciding factor, the Nokia might be your best option as it is usually the cheapest one. However, if you can pay a bit extra, the Realme offers much better value.
- For the Social Media Enthusiast: The Realme 9 Pro will deliver a smoother experience overall, as well as being able to capture better photos and videos.
- For the Gaming User: The Realme 9 Pro's chipset and display will make games much more fluid and enjoyable.
- For the Simple User: If you simply need a phone for browsing, calls and messages, the Nokia G21 is still a reliable phone. However, for the same price, the Realme is much more capable in these categories too.
Which one would I choose and why?
I would choose the Realme 9 Pro. While both phones have their strengths, the Realme 9 Pro simply offers a much better all-around experience. The faster processor, higher-resolution display, significantly better camera performance, and faster charging make it a more versatile and enjoyable phone for everyday use. I like the more fluid experience when browsing and doing daily tasks, and also enjoy gaming from time to time. The performance advantage is too significant to ignore for my preferences. While the Nokia G21 might be suitable for those on a tighter budget or those who want a basic smartphone experience, the Realme is simply a more powerful and compelling device. The additional benefits of the Realme far outweigh the marginal differences that the Nokia G21 has to offer.
