Alright, let's break down the Nokia G21 and the vivo X100 Pro. These two phones, while both smartphones, are targeting very different users, and the spec sheet tells a clear story. Buckle up, because we're about to get into the nitty-gritty.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Nokia G21 | vivo X100 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-02-15 | 2023-11-21 | The vivo X100 Pro is significantly newer, with more up-to-date technology. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones; no foldables here. |
| Dimensions | 164.6 × 75.9 × 8.5 mm | 164.1 × 75.3 × 8.9 mm | Similar in size, but the vivo is a tad thicker. The G21 might feel slightly more comfortable to hold over long periods due to its lighter weight. |
| Weight | 190g | 221g | The Nokia G21 is noticeably lighter, which is great for extended use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | The vivo has a slightly larger display for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1260x2800 | The vivo's display is significantly sharper with a higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 452 PPI | Expect crisp text and images on the vivo; the Nokia's display is noticeably less sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED gives you much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours. The vivo's display is far superior. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The vivo is slightly smoother in scrolling, although the difference is not too big. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 3000 nits | The vivo is much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight because of the superior brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9300 (4 nm) | The vivo's chip is significantly more powerful, faster, and more energy-efficient due to the 4nm process. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,300 | 1,881,325 | The vivo scores over six times higher! Expect faster apps, smooth multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | vivo's GPU is much more powerful, offering higher graphical fidelity, more complex visual effects, better gaming and faster processing |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5050mAh | 5400mAh | The vivo has a slightly larger battery, which should provide marginal increase in battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast | 100W fast | The vivo's charging is WAY faster; Expect full battery in minutes rather than hours. |
| Features | 10W charger in box | Reverse charging, 50W Wireless charging | The vivo has more options, letting you charge other devices or charge it wirelessly. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 50MP, f/1.75, 1" | The vivo has a significantly larger sensor and slightly wider aperture which is a massive advantage for low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8" | The vivo captures much more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" | The vivo offers a wide angle lens, Nokia does not. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Nokia has a dedicated depth sensor, but its utility is negligible with modern computational photography. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Nokia has a dedicated macro lens, but these low res lenses are seldom impressive. |
| Telephoto + Macro Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.5, 1/2" | The vivo offers a powerful telephoto/macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | The vivo is way better for video capture, recording in very high resolution with stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 150 | The vivo scores highly in camera tests, but the Nokia is not in the same league. |
| Camera Features | Basic set | Advanced set | The vivo has OIS, gimbal stabilization, and more advanced features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 14, upgradable to 15 | The vivo ships with a newer OS and has promise of a longer update support window. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 & 5 | Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, 7 | The vivo supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster internet speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | The vivo has newer Bluetooth with more features. |
| GPS | Basic GPS | Advanced GPS | The vivo offers more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | The vivo offers more flexibility with an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 256/512/1024GB | The vivo has substantially more storage for photos, videos and apps. |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 12/16GB | The vivo offers much more RAM for better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo speakers | The vivo has enhanced sound with better playback quality, and better sound separation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | In-display fingerprint sensor | Both offer fingerprint security, but the location of sensor is different. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | The level of screen protection offered by each device is unclear. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | The vivo is packed with more sensors for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Nokia G21:
- Strengths: Lightweight, affordable, decent battery life.
- Competitive Advantages: If you are looking for a basic smartphone that is comfortable to hold, the G21 excels here.
- Limitations: The display is low-res and dim, performance is slow, and the camera is very basic.
vivo X100 Pro:
- Strengths: Amazing camera system, incredible performance, beautiful display, very fast charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Cutting-edge technology, top-tier performance, ideal for media creation and consumption.
- Limitations: More expensive and heavier than the Nokia G21.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia G21:
- Best Suited For: Budget-conscious users who need a basic phone for calls, texts, and occasional social media.
- Use Cases: Suitable as a secondary phone, for very light daily use, or for someone who isn't a power user. The low price point is its major attraction.
- Price-to-Value: Good for its intended market; a solid basic phone at a budget price.
vivo X100 Pro:
- Best Suited For: Tech enthusiasts, photographers, gamers, and users who demand the best possible experience.
- Use Cases: Media creation, gaming, high-resolution content consumption, power users that use demanding applications.
- Price-to-Value: The price is high but the technology justifies it for the right users.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
- What is your budget?
- If your budget is tight, the Nokia G21 is the clear choice.
- If you have a larger budget and prioritize performance, the vivo X100 Pro is the way to go.
- How do you use your phone?
- For simple tasks, the G21 is enough.
- For gaming, photography, and intensive use, the X100 Pro is much better.
- What's more important to you – features or portability?
- If a lightweight phone is a priority, the G21 is good.
- If you prioritize features and performance the X100 Pro is best.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic user, budget focused. The Nokia G21 is perfect if you just need a phone for calling, texting, and basic apps, and you're sensitive to price.
- Scenario 2: Content creator, enthusiast. The vivo X100 Pro will provide the best photo and video quality, best performance, and a better display.
- Scenario 3: Power user, gaming. Again, the vivo X100 Pro is best for power users, offering excellent performance and premium features for gaming and heavy multitasking.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the vivo X100 Pro. While it's significantly more expensive, the improvements it offers in key areas like camera, performance, and display are too substantial to ignore. As a tech journalist who appreciates the latest technology, the vivo X100 Pro offers an experience that aligns with my demands for performance and creativity.
