Famous for its “indestructible” 3310, Nokia is stepping it up by bringing its renowned durability to smartphones with long-lasting batteries and sturdy designs. Let’s take a closer look at the Nokia G21.
Design: 4/5
Unpacking the Nokia G21, the smartphone already has a pre-applied screen protector which was a plus for me, it is also bundled with a USB-C cable, a charger, earphones, sim ejector pin, a silicon case, and a manual. it has a glass front and a textured finish plastic back. The test unit came in Nordic Blue.
It has a 6.5” HD+ IPS display with a refresh rate of 90Hz. Notwithstanding the high refresh rate, screen brightness is still slightly dim even in max brightness and the resolution could use a little more improvement.
Volume keys are on the right, as well as the lock/unlock, power, and fingerprint scanner. On the left side are the Google Assistant button and the dual-sim/microSD card slot. The mono speaker and USB-C charging port are located on the bottom while the 3.5mm headphone jack is on top. In front is a single front camera and at the rear is a triple camera.
Hardware: 3/5
The Nokia G21 is powered by Unisoc T606 and runs on Android 11. It has 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. Its 5050mAh battery can last up to 3 days with a single charge from its 18W charger.
It has an 8MP selfie camera that can capture 1080p videos at 30fps, a triple rear camera consisting of a 50MP main camera and two 2MP cameras for macro and depth. It can also capture 1080p videos at 30fps.
User Experience: 4/5
I’ve heard a lot about the Nokia G21 and was excited to test it out myself. No smartphone is perfect and just like every other device, it has its strengths and areas for improvement.
When I took the unit out of the box, my first impression of the simple design was that it was a bit chunky and sturdily built. As for its durability, one might ask if I tried a drop test to see if it’s shockproof. I didn’t do it on purpose, but I may have accidentally dropped it a few times, and to no surprise, it didn’t get any dents or scratches.
Testing its display, performance, and camera quality was a bit challenging. The Nokia G21 uses an IPS panel, but an AMOLED display could’ve been the better option. Its smooth 90Hz refresh rate compensates for a screen that is slightly dim and a display with muted colors. Performance on the usual daily tasks is all right, but gaming could be a bit of a stretch. Fast-paced games work but might take too long to load and I experienced some lagging. With just a mono speaker, audio quality is not up to par, and I recommend you plug in earphones when gaming and other entertainment.
The Nokia G21 has a single front camera and a triple rear camera with AI Imaging. It is able to capture clear and detailed photos and produce good colors, but I do believe that Nokia can still improve on its camera department. Apart from the usual night mode, the camera also features timelapse videos, macro, and panoramic shots.
There are two things that I like best about this smartphone. First, it offers two years’ worth of security and OS updates and is Android 12 ready. Second is its battery life, thanks to a massive 5050mAh battery that could last up to 3 days. I’d spend almost 6 to 7 hours on gaming, social media, and streaming platforms per day, and I’d still have 40% to 50% charge remaining at the end of the day.
Value: 3.5/5
The Nokia G21 is priced at PHP 9,990, a reasonable price point for a budget smartphone. It has its pros and some cons, but I’d recommend this to people whose screentime is pretty lengthy.
Specifications:
- Chipset: Unisoc T606
- OS: Android 11
- Storage: 6GB RAM, 128GB internal storage
- Display: IPS LCD 90Hz
- Dimensions: 164.6mm x 75.9mm x 8.5mm
- Front/Back: Glass front/plastic back
- Battery: 5050mAh, USB-C 18W charger
- Camera: Triple (Main) 50MP, 2MP macro, 2MP depth / Front 8MP
- Fingerprint: Side-mounted
- Colors: Nordic Blue, Dusk
- Package includes: USB-C cable, 18W, sim ejector pin, protective case, quick start guide, earphones, pre-applied screen protector
What’s Hot:
- Long-lasting battery life for up to 3 days
- Durable
- 2 years’ worth of security and OS updates
- Less bloatware
What’s Not:
- Sub-par camera
- Color display looks washed-out
- Mono speaker
- System performance can be improved
Bottomline:
The Nokia G21 is a good phone if you’re on a budget. Its battery is by far the best among comparable smartphones.
Reviewed by Franceska Aguila
Also published in Gadgets Magazine June 2022 Issue