Okay, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Nokia G21 and the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. I'll break it down in a way that highlights what these specs mean for you, the user, and not just the numbers themselves.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, focusing on real-world implications:
| Feature | Nokia G21 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.6 × 75.9 × 8.5 mm | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | Nokia is slightly taller and wider, ZTE is negligibly thinner. Both are large phones, but similar. |
| Weight | 190g | 204g | Nokia is a bit lighter; noticeable in long usage, if you are sensitive to it. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | ZTE provides more screen real estate, potentially better for videos, gaming, and multi-tasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1116x2480 | ZTE's display is significantly sharper, resulting in a clearer and more detailed viewing experience. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 400 PPI | ZTE’s images and text appear much crisper; crucial for reading and detailed content consumption. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors; a clear advantage for ZTE. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | ZTE provides smoother animations and scrolling, enhancing the overall fluid feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE's screen is far brighter and thus better for bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | ZTE's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading and overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,300 | 1,061,300 | ZTE is in an entirely different league, excellent for gaming, video editing and heavy multitasking |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 730 | ZTE's GPU offers superior graphics performance, better for gaming and graphical applications. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5050mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity for similar all-day usage. |
| Charging | 18W | 65W | ZTE can charge much faster, reducing downtime; a clear advantage. |
| Charger | 10W inbox | No In box charger | Nokia G21 comes with a charger in the box. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.6 | ZTE's camera setup captures more detail and performs better in low light due to a larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.0 | ZTE captures sharper, more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 64MP, f/3.5 | ZTE offers significantly more zoom capabilities, allowing for better close up photography. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | 0.3MP | ZTE provides advanced depth sensing, which improves portrait photography and AR experiences. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Nokia has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode which is useful for people who like portrait photography |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Nokia has a macro lens for close up photography which is useful for photography enthusiasts. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 64MP, f/2.3 | ZTE provides a wide angle lens that is capable of taking macro shots, it's versatile and great for landscape photography. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | ZTE captures much higher-quality video with smoother results through stabilization; a clear advantage. |
| Features | Triple camera, Front Flash | Quadruple camera, OIS, Under display camera, RAW, Night Mode | ZTE offers significantly more advanced features such as OIS and a dedicated night mode, as well as under display camera, while Nokia is more basic. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | ZTE comes with newer software, but both can be updated to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz | 802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz/ac/ax | ZTE supports faster, more stable connections with WiFi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | ZTE offers a newer version, but both offer similar audio features. |
| GPS | Standard | L1+L5 | ZTE offers more accurate positioning with enhanced GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones have dual sim capability with dual standby. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1024GB | ZTE offers significantly more storage capacity, excellent for users who take lots of photos, videos and games. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 8GB, 12GB, 16GB, 18GB | ZTE’s RAM will make it better at multitasking and performance intensive tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers an expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 Microphones | Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | ZTE provides enhanced audio experience for music and videos due to stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Nokia offers a more advanced side mounted fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have an unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | ZTE offers a greater variety of sensors for various use cases. |
2. Key Insights
Nokia G21 Strengths:
- Battery Life: Both phones have similar battery capacity but Nokia G21 comes with an included charger which provides convenience to the user.
- Basic Functionality: Decent for everyday tasks like browsing, calling, and messaging if you don’t need too much performance.
- Side mounted fingerprint: Offers a slightly more advanced fingerprint unlocking.
- Price: Likely to be cheaper, which is good for people with limited budgets.
- Depth & Macro Camera: Useful for photography enthusiasts.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Strengths:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and high brightness makes the display much better for media consumption.
- Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and higher RAM make this phone incredibly fast and responsive.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile camera setup with excellent low-light performance, optical zoom, and 8K video recording.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo Speakers for media consumption.
- More Storage: Offers way more storage and RAM compared to Nokia G21.
- More Sensors: Offers a wider variety of sensors for various use cases.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Nokia G21: The biggest downside is its slower chipset, low resolution display, and basic camera capabilities. This limits its overall performance and capabilities.
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: The main limitation is its price, as it will be much more expensive than the Nokia G21, its lack of a charger in the box and also lack of a dedicated depth and macro camera.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia G21:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Perfect for users who want a basic smartphone for essential functions like calls, messaging, and web browsing without breaking the bank.
- Light Users: Ideal for individuals who don't need advanced features or high performance and need a phone with long-lasting battery life.
- Users Who like Macro & Depth photography: Perfect for users who enjoy taking close-up and portrait photos.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Perfect for users who want the best performance, a high-quality display, and advanced camera features.
- Gamers: The powerful chipset and high refresh rate make it great for mobile gaming.
- Media Consumers: Ideal for people who watch videos, movies and consume a lot of content.
- Professional Photographers: Excellent for users who need high-quality images and videos with great versatility.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your budget? If you are on a tight budget, the Nokia G21 is likely more affordable.
- What do you use your phone for the most? If it's basic tasks, the Nokia is fine. If it's gaming, multimedia, or photography, the ZTE is a better choice.
- How important is camera quality and video recording? The ZTE is a big leap over the Nokia in this aspect.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Use & Budget:
- Recommendation: Nokia G21. It covers basic phone needs at a lower cost.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Camera are Key:
- Recommendation: ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. The performance leap and camera quality are worth the extra cost for power users.
- Scenario 3: Balance:
- Recommendation: ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. The ZTE provides much more value, better quality and it provides the best experience overall.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones for myself, I would choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra without hesitation. While the Nokia G21 is a decent budget phone, the Axon 40 Ultra offers a vastly superior experience across the board. The incredible display, powerful performance, versatile camera system, and fast charging make it a no-brainer for anyone who wants a flagship-level smartphone experience.
The Nokia G21, while affordable, simply cannot compete with the level of functionality and capability the Axon 40 Ultra provides. The ZTE is a device that is built to perform, and it delivers exactly that. It provides great value and provides a seamless smartphone experience for all types of users. I value that level of quality, so the ZTE wins out.
