Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Realme C35 and the Nokia G22. As always, I'll be looking beyond the spec sheet to get a sense of how these phones actually stack up in daily use. Let’s get into it:
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specifications for each phone, along with a "Real-World Implications" column to clarify how these specs translate to the user experience:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Nokia G22 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 165 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm | Very similar physical dimensions; the Nokia G22 is a bit thicker and heavier but likely not noticeable day-to-day. |
| Weight | 189g | 196.2g | The Realme C35 is slightly lighter, which might be appreciated during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Marginally larger screen on the Realme C35, but the difference is minor. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 720x1600 | Realme C35 offers a much sharper display, better for text and detailed images, videos. |
| PPI | 401 | 270 | The Realme C35’s higher pixel density translates to a noticeably clearer and more detailed screen. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same display technology which generally means good color accuracy for the price, but might lack deep blacks compared to AMOLED panels. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Nokia G22 has a smoother refresh rate, making scrolling and animations feel slightly more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both seem to be missing brightness information, which is crucial for outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | The T616 in the Realme C35 is slightly more powerful, but the difference is minimal. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 253,300 | Nokia G22 scores slightly higher, implying marginally better performance overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Both use the same GPU, so gaming performance should be similar for most low to medium intensity games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | Comparable main cameras; Image quality will likely depend more on software and processing than just the sensor specs. Sensor size on the Nokia is listed as 1/2.76”, so the G22 might have a slight edge there as well. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 8MP f/2.0 | Similar selfie cameras; Both should be fine for video calls and social media selfies. Pixel size of the G22 is 1.12µm vs an unknown size on the C35. This might offer slightly better low light performance on the G22. |
| Additional Lenses | 2MP Macro, 2MP B&W | 2MP Macro, 2MP Depth | Both include a macro lens; Realme has a B&W lens for artistic monochrome effects, while Nokia has a depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record standard full HD video at 30fps, acceptable for everyday use. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Front Flash | C35 has better focus and stabilization features. G22 has a front flash for low light selfies |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, which should provide a full day of use for most users. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The Nokia G22 supports slightly faster charging; However, the 10W in-box charger could mean slow charging out of the box. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, In-box charger 10W | Both are non-removable. The G22 has a slower charging 10W charger in the box |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | The Nokia G22 ships with a newer version of Android, so it's more up-to-date and could potentially receive longer support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n | Both support dual-band Wi-Fi; The C35 uses newer standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE with A2DP, EDR | 5.0 LE with A2DP | Both use Bluetooth 5.0; The C35 has EDR support, which may provide more reliable connections and potentially slightly faster data transfer |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Nokia G22 includes Galileo for potentially more accurate GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones offer dual SIM capabilities, meaning you can have two phone numbers active at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB | The Nokia G22 offers 256 GB storage option, making it more versatile for users needing more space. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | The Nokia G22 has a 6 GB RAM option, which allows for better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither device supports microSD card expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | 2 microphones | Nokia G22 features 2 microphones, which can improve call quality and voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both use a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, offering a convenient security solution. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Nokia G22 offers better screen protection with the use of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Realme C35 includes compass and gyroscope which can improve gaming or use with AR apps, Nokia includes a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35 Strengths:
- Sharper Display: The Realme C35 has a higher-resolution display (1080x2408) and pixel density (401 PPI), making it noticeably clearer and more detailed, great for media consumption and text.
- Slightly More Powerful Chipset: While the difference is minimal, the Unisoc T616 is generally considered a bit more capable than the T606.
- Better camera stabilization & focusing features PDAF and CDAF should offer a better and more reliable focus.
- Better WiFi standard: Supports newer 802.11ac WiFi, which may offer a slightly better WiFi experience.
- Additional Sensors: Includes compass and gyroscope, offering additional functionalities for some applications.
Nokia G22 Strengths:
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate on the Nokia G22 provides a slightly more fluid user experience during scrolling and animations.
- Marginally Better Performance: The Nokia G22 edges out the Realme C35 in benchmarks which would help in intensive applications.
- Larger Storage Option: Available with up to 256GB of internal storage, the G22 provides significantly more space for apps, photos, and media.
- More RAM Option Offering a 6GB RAM option is better for multitasking.
- More Up-to-Date OS: Ships with Android 12, providing a newer software experience and potentially longer support.
- Slightly Faster Charging: The 20W charging is a bit faster than the 18W offered on the C35.
- Better screen protection Features Gorilla Glass 3 for durability.
- Better Audio: Features 2 microphones which improves voice capture during phone calls or recordings.
- Front flash allows better low-light selfies.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- The Realme C35 might not feel as smooth as the G22 due to its lower refresh rate display.
- Both phones do not support expandable storage, limiting storage options if needed.
- The in-box charger for the Nokia is only 10W meaning you will need to buy a separate charger to utilize the 20W capabilities.
- Both are using the same GPU, meaning gaming is likely to be the same.
- Both phones lack brightness information, which makes it difficult to determine their usability under sunlight.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35:
- Ideal User: Casual users who value a sharp, crisp display for web browsing, social media, and watching videos. Good for users who don't need extra sensors like compass and gyroscope.
- Best Use Cases: Casual gaming, social media, content consumption, and general everyday use.
- Considerations: A good budget device focusing on overall quality.
Nokia G22:
- Ideal User: Users looking for a slightly smoother experience, potentially with better software support and better storage options. Suitable for those who prioritize more internal storage and battery life.
- Best Use Cases: Everyday tasks, light to medium multitasking, and users who prefer a smoother user interface.
- Considerations: A solid, all-around device focusing on everyday quality of life with good build quality and potential for longer software support.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is a sharp display to you? If detail is crucial, the Realme C35 is better. If you want a smooth experience, the Nokia G22 is better.
- How much storage do you need? If you need a lot of storage, the Nokia G22 with its 256GB option is a better choice.
- How important is a newer OS to you? If you want the latest software, choose the Nokia G22.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you need a reliable phone for social media and media consumption, the Realme C35's sharper display is preferable.
- The Multitasker: For those needing a device that can juggle a few apps and tasks, the Nokia G22's 6 GB RAM option is more appropriate.
- The Media Enthusiast: If you consume a lot of media, both the Realme C35 and the Nokia G22 can handle that, but the larger storage option of the Nokia G22 could tip the scales, especially if you want offline access to a lot of content.
- The Budget Gamer: Neither is ideal for gaming, but the slight edge in performance on the Nokia may give it a slight edge.
Which would I choose?
For me, the Nokia G22 edges out the Realme C35. While I appreciate the sharp display of the C35, the smoother 90Hz display, larger storage option, newer Android OS, and potentially longer software support of the G22 are more compelling for my everyday use case. The slightly better benchmark scores, build quality and additional features also tip the scales. I am also not a big fan of the lack of expandable storage on both devices, but the option for a 256GB model mitigates that issue on the Nokia G22. The improved audio and front-facing flash are also quite nice features to have in a phone in this range.
