Nokia

Nokia C21 Plus: Pros and Cons

Android OS v11.0 Go Edition
Unisoc SC9863a
PowerVR GE8322
2 GB / 32 GB
6.52 inch (720 x 1600 px)
13 + 2 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Nokia announced the launch of the C21 Plus smartphone in 2022. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 6.52 inch IPS display, Unisoc SC9863a SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The C21 Plus comes with Android OS v11.0 Go Edition pre-installed. This phone uses a high resolution 720 x 1600 px, 6.52 inch IPS display. The multi-camera setup has specialized features. It has multiple cameras with different focal lengths, like wide-angle, standard, telephoto, and macro. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Nokia C21 Plus smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Nokia C21 Plus / 1

Nokia C21 Plus specifications

BrandNokia
NameC21 Plus
ModelC21PLUS
Release date2022

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.74 oz
Dimensions6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 inch
Colorsdark cyan, warm gray
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Nokia C21 Plus is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v11.0 Go Edition
SoCUnisoc SC9863a
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55
GPUPowerVR GE8322
PerformanceAnTuTu v9: 101442

The Nokia C21 Plus comes with Android OS v11.0 Go Edition out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means the source code is free to the public. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. Many consider PowerVR GPUs to highly compete with other leading mobile GPUs. AnTuTu measures and evaluates the performance of different hardware components of a device.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size6.52 inch
Resolution720 x 1600 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 6.52 inch display should be big enough for your needs. It will make viewing comfortable. This is true whether you're reading, browsing, or watching. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Nokia C21 Plus / 1

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The C21 Plus has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the C21 Plus (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 + 2 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

Multiple cameras or depth sensors can help the smartphone. They can make its portrait mode effects more appealing. The C21 Plus does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv5.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Nokia C21 Plus supports 4G/LTE networks. The C21 Plus supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your C21 Plus smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The C21 Plus has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The C21 Plus does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, fingerprint, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Panda Glass

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in C21 Plus smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Nokia phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • appropriate screen size
  • microSD slot
  • multicamera setup
  • good battery
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • weak performance
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • no digital compass
Add Nokia C21 Plus to your comparison

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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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