Nokia C21 vs Nothing Phone (3a)
The Nokia C21 (2022) runs on the Unisoc, while the Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads — 42/100 vs 5/100 (a 37-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (3a) has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3000); the main camera is 8 MP vs 50 MP; the Nothing Phone (3a) has NFC for contactless payments, the Nokia C21 doesn't.
Nokia C21
Nothing Phone (3a)
- Lighter: 195g vs 201g
- Better design/ergonomics (56/100 vs 48/100)
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 3000 mAh
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 8MP
- Higher performance (7/100 vs 0/100)
- Better camera (58/100 vs 0/100)
- Longer battery life (42/100 vs 0/100)
- Better display (100/100 vs 0/100)
- Better value for money (87/100 vs 55/100)
Comparing the Nokia C21 vs the Nothing Phone (3a), the Nothing Phone (3a) scores 37 points higher (42/100 vs 5/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (58/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (42/100 vs 0/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (87/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (7/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (100/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (58/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (42/100 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) significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (87/100 vs 55/100).
| Specification | Nokia C21 | Nothing Phone (3a) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Unisoc | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | |
| AnTuTu | — | 1044507 | |
| 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 | — | 45W | |
| Main camera | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 8 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 5 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 2GB / 3GB | 8GB / 12GB | |
| Storage | 32GB / 64GB | 128GB / 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 | — | $329 |
Nokia C21
- Main: 8MP
- Front: 5MP
Nothing Phone (3a)
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Nokia C21
- 6.5" IPS LCD
- Resolution: 720x1600
- Refresh rate: —
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2392x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Nokia C21
- 3000 mAh
- No wireless charging
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
Nokia C21
Price unknownperformance
In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (7/100 vs 0/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (100/100 vs 0/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (58/100 vs 0/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (42/100 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) significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (87/100 vs 55/100).
Which is better: the Nokia C21 or the Nothing Phone (3a)?
The Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 by 37 points (42/100 vs 5/100).
What is the rating of the Nokia C21 and the Nothing Phone (3a)?
The Nokia C21 has a MobileRank rating of 5/100, the Nothing Phone (3a) — 42/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nokia C21 or the Nothing Phone (3a)?
The Nothing Phone (3a) leads on camera score (58/100 vs 0/100).
Which is more powerful: the Nokia C21 or the Nothing Phone (3a)?
The Nothing Phone (3a) leads on performance (7/100 vs 0/100).
Should you choose the Nokia C21 over the Nothing Phone (3a)?
The Nokia C21 is a better fit for everyday use. The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers.