Nokia G21 Price in India
The Nokia G21 is competitively priced in the Indian market, with its base variant featuring 4GB RAM and 64GB storage available for ₹12,999. For users needing more space, the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant is priced at ₹14,999. Buyers can choose from two elegant finishes – Nordic Blue and Dusk, appealing to a variety of personal styles.
Design of Nokia G21
When it comes to design, the Nokia G21 opts for a simplistic yet practical approach. Unlike many budget smartphones that sport a glossy finish, the G21 features a textured plastic back that minimizes fingerprints and ensures a sturdy grip. Also included in the box is a protective case, adding extra value to your purchase.
The phone has a square camera module positioned in the top left corner, which is designed to be minimalistic and does not protrude excessively. Keeping with modern trends, the G21 has flat sides with curved corners that are comfortable to hold. A side-mounted fingerprint scanner is conveniently located on the power button for easy access, and a volume rocker is found just above it. Along the opposite side, you’ll find a dedicated Google Assistant button and a SIM tray.
The phone features a 6.5-inch display with a 20:9 aspect ratio, boasting HD Plus resolution and equipped with a dewdrop notch reminiscent of other models in this price range. While the screen does exhibit a noticeable chin at the bottom, overall, the build quality of the device feels solid.
Nokia G21 Specifications and Software
The Nokia G21 is powered by the entry-level Unisoc T606 SoC, which is an octa-core chipset featuring two high-performance ARM Cortex-A75 cores and six efficiency cores, all clocked at 1.6GHz. The device’s HD+ display supports a 90Hz refresh rate, enhancing the fluidity during interactions, and has a maximum brightness of 400 nits. Furthermore, it includes a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing users to expand their storage capacity.
For connectivity, the smartphone supports Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band Wi-Fi ac, and NFC, along with three satellite navigation systems for precise geolocation.
The Nokia G21 packs a substantial 5,050mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging, although a 10W charger is included in the box. The phone runs on Android 11 and is part of the Android One program, guaranteeing a stock Android experience along with two years of software updates. While the absence of Android 12 may disappoint some users, the clean UI remains a strong selling point, despite pre-installed apps like ExpressVPN, LinkedIn, and Netflix that can be removed if unwanted.
Notable gesture features include double-tap to wake, flipping the phone to reject calls, and a double press of the power button to launch the camera. It also incorporates stock Android features such as Digital Wellbeing for monitoring usage habits.
Nokia G21 Performance and Battery Life
In terms of performance, the Nokia G21 effectively handles everyday tasks and light gaming without noticeable lag. However, heavy gaming may result in longer loading times. The phone’s multitasking capabilities improve with the 6GB RAM variant, lacking a RAM extension feature present in other models. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner responds quickly, contributing to user convenience.
While the HD+ display is decent, many competitors now offer Full HD+ displays within the same price range, which could disappoint prospective buyers. Benchmark scores reveal a satisfactory performance, with AnTuTu recording 198,068 points and single-core/multi-core Geekbench 5 scores at 306 and 1221, respectively.
Despite average gaming performance for titles like Call of Duty: Mobile, where the settings defaulted to low and medium frame rates, the Nokia G21 excels in battery performance. Testing showed an impressive 20-hour and 4-minute duration in an HD video loop, indicative of its long-lasting battery life. However, it does exhibit a slow charging rate with the included charger, taking two hours for a full charge.
Nokia G21 Cameras
The Nokia G21 features a triple rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The front-facing 8-megapixel camera is well-suited for selfies. The camera app offers a user-friendly interface with various shooting modes available.
Photos taken with the primary camera during daylight hours deliver satisfactory results, though zooming in reduces detail clarity. While it performs well in HDR mode for improved brightness, landscape shots may sometimes exhibit a watercolor effect. The macro camera provides average detail, while portrait mode may struggle, requiring several seconds per shot to capture.
Low-light performance is average, with details often lost in darker areas. Night mode enhances images but requires a steady hand for around 6 seconds per shot to mitigate blurriness. On the bright side, selfies captured in varying lighting conditions show good detail and edge detection.
For video recording, users can capture 1080p footage, though the absence of stabilization may lead to shaky footage. Overall, the camera performance is satisfactory for everyday use, but a wide-angle lens could enhance its versatility further.
Conclusion
Nokia G21 emerges as a budget-friendly Android One smartphone delivering a clean user interface and two years of software support. Its sturdy build quality, commendable battery life, and user-friendly experience make it suitable for regular consumers looking for functionality over high-performance specs. However, power users may find its performance underwhelming, particularly when it comes to gaming and camera capabilities.
If you can overlook some of its limitations, the Nokia G21 proves to be a dependable device for basic needs, a characteristic not commonly found in this price segment. Those seeking more power or superior camera performance might want to explore alternatives like the Realme 9i or Moto G51. Nevertheless, for reliable daily use with a straightforward Android experience, the Nokia G21 is certainly worth considering.