Nokia C21 vs Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

The Nokia C21 (2022) runs on the Unisoc, while the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads — 43/100 vs 5/100 (a 38-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3000); the main camera is 8 MP vs 50 MP; the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has NFC for contactless payments, the Nokia C21 doesn't.

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 by 38 points (43/100 vs 5/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nokia C21
Performance 0
Display 0
Camera 0
Battery 0
Design 56
Value for money 55
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
Performance 7
Display 100
Camera 62
Battery 44
Design 48
Value for money 78
What makes Nokia C21 better?
  • Lighter: 195g vs 201g

  • Better design/ergonomics (56/100 vs 48/100)
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) Pro better?
  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 3000 mAh
  • Better main camera: 50MP vs 8MP

  • Higher performance (7/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better camera (62/100 vs 0/100)
  • Longer battery life (44/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better display (100/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better value for money (78/100 vs 55/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nokia C21 vs the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro scores 38 points higher (43/100 vs 5/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads (62/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads (44/100 vs 0/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads (78/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a bit better (7/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (100/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (62/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (44/100 vs 0/100). In the "design" category, the Nokia C21 is a bit better (56/100 vs 48/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the Nokia C21 (78/100 vs 55/100).

Nokia C21: The Nokia C21 is a better fit for everyday use.
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro: The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers.
Specs comparison
Specification Nokia C21 Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
Processor Unisoc Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
AnTuTu 1063102
Geekbench Single 1162
Geekbench Multi 3315
Display 6.5" IPS LCD 6.8" AMOLED
Resolution 720x1600 2392x1080
Refresh rate 120 Hz
Battery 3000 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 50W
Main camera 8 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 0 MP 8 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 50 MP
Front camera 5 MP 50 MP
RAM 2GB / 3GB 12GB
Storage 32GB / 64GB 256GB
OS Android 11 (Go edition) Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1
Brightness (peak) 3000 nits
NFC no yes
Protection IP54
Dimensions 169.9×77.9×8.8 mm 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm
Weight 195 g 201 g
Price $459
Camera comparison
Nokia C21
  • Main: 8MP
  • Front: 5MP
0
camera
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 50MP
62
camera
Display comparison
Nokia C21
  • 6.5" IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 720x1600
  • Refresh rate: —
0
display
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2392x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Nokia C21
  • 3000 mAh
  • No wireless charging
0
battery
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 50W
  • No wireless charging
44
battery
Benchmarks
Price and availability
Nokia C21
Price unknown
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
$459
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a bit better (7/100 vs 0/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (100/100 vs 0/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (62/100 vs 0/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (44/100 vs 0/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Nokia C21 is a bit better (56/100 vs 48/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the Nokia C21 (78/100 vs 55/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nokia C21 or the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 by 38 points (43/100 vs 5/100).

What is the rating of the Nokia C21 and the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro?

The Nokia C21 has a MobileRank rating of 5/100, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro — 43/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nokia C21 or the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads on camera score (62/100 vs 0/100).

Which is more powerful: the Nokia C21 or the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads on performance (7/100 vs 0/100).

Should you choose the Nokia C21 over the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro?

The Nokia C21 is a better fit for everyday use. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers.