Nokia C21 Plus vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra

The Nokia C21 Plus (2022) runs on the Unisoc, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $260 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads — 82/100 vs 10/100 (a 72-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 13 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has NFC for contactless payments, the Nokia C21 Plus doesn't; the Nokia C21 Plus is noticeably lighter (178g vs 226g).

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus by 72 points (82/100 vs 10/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nokia C21 Plus
Performance 0
Display 0
Camera 0
Battery 12
Design 77
Value for money 92
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
Performance 87
Display 100
Camera 93
Battery 72
Design 17
Value for money 41
What makes Nokia C21 Plus better?
  • Lighter: 178g vs 226g
  • Cheaper: $260 vs $999

  • Better design/ergonomics (77/100 vs 17/100)
  • Better value for money (92/100 vs 41/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra better?
  • Bigger battery: 6000 vs 4000 mAh
  • Faster charging: 90W vs 10W
  • Better main camera: 50MP vs 13MP

  • Higher performance (87/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better camera (93/100 vs 0/100)
  • Longer battery life (72/100 vs 12/100)
  • Better display (100/100 vs 0/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nokia C21 Plus vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra scores 72 points higher (82/100 vs 10/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (87/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (93/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (72/100 vs 12/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nokia C21 Plus leads (92/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus (87/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus (100/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus (93/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus (72/100 vs 12/100). In the "design" category, the Nokia C21 Plus significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (77/100 vs 17/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nokia C21 Plus significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (92/100 vs 41/100).

Nokia C21 Plus: The Nokia C21 Plus is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra: The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.
Specs comparison
Specification Nokia C21 Plus Xiaomi 17 Ultra
Processor Unisoc Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
AnTuTu 3593401
Geekbench Single 3640
Geekbench Multi 11033
Display 6.5" IPS LCD 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
Resolution 720x1600 3200x1440
Refresh rate 120 Hz
Battery 4000 mAh 6000 mAh
Charging 10W 90W
Wireless charging 0W 50W
DXOMark (camera) 166
Main camera 13 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 0 MP 50 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 200 MP
Front camera 5 MP 32 MP
RAM 2GB / 3GB / 4GB 12GB / 16GB
Storage 32GB / 64GB 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
OS Android 11 (Go edition) Android 16
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits
NFC no yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 164.8×75.9×8.6 mm 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm
Weight 178 g 226 g
Price $260 $999
Camera comparison
Nokia C21 Plus
  • Main: 13MP
  • Front: 5MP
0
camera
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
  • Main: 50MP f/1.63
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 200MP
  • Front: 32MP
93
camera
Display comparison
Nokia C21 Plus
  • 6.5" IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 720x1600
  • Refresh rate: —
0
display
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
  • 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 3200x1440
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Nokia C21 Plus
  • 4000 mAh
  • Wired: 10W
  • No wireless charging
12
battery
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
  • 6000 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 16:09 hrs, total 33:23 hrs
  • Wired: 90W
  • Wireless: 50W
72
battery
Benchmarks
Price and availability
Nokia C21 Plus
$260
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
$999

Price difference: $739. Nokia C21 Plus is cheaper by $739.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus (87/100 vs 0/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus (100/100 vs 0/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus (93/100 vs 0/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus (72/100 vs 12/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Nokia C21 Plus significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (77/100 vs 17/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Nokia C21 Plus significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (92/100 vs 41/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nokia C21 Plus or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 Plus by 72 points (82/100 vs 10/100).

What is the rating of the Nokia C21 Plus and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

The Nokia C21 Plus has a MobileRank rating of 10/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 82/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nokia C21 Plus or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on camera score (93/100 vs 0/100).

Which is more powerful: the Nokia C21 Plus or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on performance (87/100 vs 0/100).

Should you choose the Nokia C21 Plus over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

The Nokia C21 Plus is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.