Nokia C21 vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra
The Nokia C21 (2022) runs on the Unisoc, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads — 82/100 vs 5/100 (a 77-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 3000); the main camera is 8 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has NFC for contactless payments, the Nokia C21 doesn't; the Nokia C21 is noticeably lighter (195g vs 226g).
Nokia C21
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- Lighter: 195g vs 226g
- Better design/ergonomics (56/100 vs 17/100)
- Better value for money (55/100 vs 41/100)
- Bigger battery: 6000 vs 3000 mAh
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 8MP
- Higher performance (87/100 vs 0/100)
- Better camera (93/100 vs 0/100)
- Longer battery life (72/100 vs 0/100)
- Better display (100/100 vs 0/100)
Comparing the Nokia C21 vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra scores 77 points higher (82/100 vs 5/100). 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 0/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nokia C21 leads (55/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (87/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (100/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (93/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (72/100 vs 0/100). In the "design" category, the Nokia C21 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (56/100 vs 17/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nokia C21 is a bit better (55/100 vs 41/100).
| Specification | Nokia C21 | 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 | 3000 mAh | 6000 mAh | |
| Charging | — | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 166 | |
| Main camera | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 5 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 2GB / 3GB | 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 | 169.9×77.9×8.8 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 195 g | 226 g | |
| Price | — | $999 |
Nokia C21
- Main: 8MP
- Front: 5MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- Main: 50MP f/1.63
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 32MP
Nokia C21
- 6.5" IPS LCD
- Resolution: 720x1600
- Refresh rate: —
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Nokia C21
- 3000 mAh
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 16:09 hrs, total 33:23 hrs
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
Nokia C21
Price unknownperformance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (87/100 vs 0/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (100/100 vs 0/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (93/100 vs 0/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 (72/100 vs 0/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Nokia C21 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (56/100 vs 17/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Nokia C21 is a bit better (55/100 vs 41/100).
Which is better: the Nokia C21 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nokia C21 by 77 points (82/100 vs 5/100).
What is the rating of the Nokia C21 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Nokia C21 has a MobileRank rating of 5/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 82/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nokia C21 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 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on performance (87/100 vs 0/100).
Should you choose the Nokia C21 over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Nokia C21 is a better fit for everyday use. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.