Nokia C21 Plus: The C21 Plus is Nokia’s latest sub-12K entry for price-conscious buyers. The smartphone, which is currently selling for Rs. 9,799 on Flipkart for the 3GB/32GB variant, is aimed at buyers who want a wholesome user experience rather than just the product’s key specifications. In other words, the Nokia C21 Plus does not compete on specs but rather on user experience.
The C21 Plus, like most Nokia budget handsets, lacks a high-resolution display and a powerful chipset, but it makes up for it with a smooth and clutter-free stock Android software, a sturdy design, and an extended battery life. We ran some tests and this is how the smartphone fared.
Nokia C21 Plus: Specifications
| Brand | Nokia |
| Model | C21 Plus |
| Release date | 27th February 2022 |
| Launched in India | No |
| Dimensions (mm) | 165.00 x 75.90 x 8.55 |
| Weight (g) | 178.00 |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 4000 |
| Colours | Dark Cyan, Warm Grey |
Design
The C21 Plus follows Nokia’s long-standing solid design philosophy. In fact, it goes a step further than its predecessors by having a more robust design. The C21 Plus’s inner metal chassis and toughened cover glass protect the chassis and screen, respectively. The C21 Plus is also IP52-rated, which means it can withstand some water and dust damage.
The phone is available in two colours: grey and cyan, and it has a textured matte plastic back that repels fingerprints and smudges. The overall appearance and feel of the device are superior to most sub-12K smartphones from Chinese OEMs. The device feels slightly oversized and heavy due to the large display and massive battery cell. The C21 Plus is 8.5mm thick and weighs 191 grammes.
Display
Nokia needs to up the ante in the display department. The C21 Plus, like most budget handsets from the brand, has a 720p display with the standard 60Hz refresh rate. The HD+ resolution on a 6.52-inch IPS LCD screen isn’t ideal for watching movies. The colors are a little dull, and the content doesn’t come out at its best. Viewing angles are also fairly average, and the peak brightness of the screen is insufficient for good outdoor visibility.
Simply put, the Nokia C21 Plus is not the device for you if a good screen is your primary concern. For a better overall display, consider any Realme or Redmi-series smartphone.
Software and performance
The Nokia C21 Plus runs Android 11 Go and has a stock Android user interface. The software is cleaner and simpler to use than what Chinese smartphone manufacturers offer at this price point, making the C21 Plus an excellent choice for elderly family members. There are some pre-installed apps on the phone, such as Facebook Lite, Netflix, and the MyJio app, which are harmless. I didn’t come across any ads or advertising/brand notifications during my review, which is a big plus for this low-cost device.
Because the device runs Google Go edition, you get Lite versions of Google apps such as Go Gallery and Go Assistant, as well as standard YouTube and Chrome browser apps.
Cameras
| Rear camera | 13-megapixel + 2-megapixel |
| No. of Rear Cameras | 2 |
| Rear autofocus | Yes |
| Rear flash | Yes |
| Front camera | 5-megapixel |
| No. of Front Cameras | 1 |
| Front flash | Yes |
The dual-lens camera on the budget phone has a 13MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies and video calls, the C21 Plus has a 5MP front-facing camera. The rear camera supports basic photo enhancement features such as HDR, Portrait mode, Panorama mode, and Beautification assist. The main sensor produces the best results in well-lit environments. A slight decrease in available lighting can distort the details and colours. The phone’s shutter speed is quite slow, and the sensor takes a long time to focus.
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