When it comes to producing some of the best budget phones on the market, HMD Global, makers of Nokia phones takes the lead. This has been clear with their current mobile releases, among them, the much-talked-about Nokia G21 launched earlier this year.
Some of the key features that make the Nokia G21 tick is that it comes with a three-year warranty. Most phone makers give not more than 12 months of warranty. It also comes with three years of regular updates with a powerful battery that lasts up to three days.
Compared with other gadgets within the same domain, the Nokia G21 comes out as one that was designed to specifically stand out, especially for the young generation. With 4GB RAM and 128GB of onboard storage (with a microSD card slot), the G21 is an actual mini-beast, if not a whole beast when it comes to performance.
Let us have a walkthrough and see if it is worth your money and time.
Hardware and design
The big 6.5-inch display on the rear front, coupled with an 8MP selfie camera on the front, as well as a textured polycarbonate rear, married with a triple camera array on the rear, the Nokia G21 is a magnificent work of art that one would love to have and feel. Small enough to fit in one’s pocket/purse and large enough to fit in one’s palm.
Nokia G21 comes equipped with a volume rocker on the right as well as a fingerprint sensor-enabled power button below it. The SIM tray and Google Assistant shortcut key are on the left. A headphone jack is at the top while a USB, type C charging port as well as the speaker on the bottom.
The magic lies with is 6.50-inch HD+ resolution LCD display with a small notch at the top for the 8MP selfie camera. What is more, it is the first among the Nokia G-series to come with a 90Hz refresh rate offering the comfortability that one needs while scrolling.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Nokia G21 is in a domain of its own. It runs on an octa-core Unisoc T606 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GM/128GB onboard storage (with a microSD card slot). The Unisoc process of the Nokia G21 is great making have one of the best and fastest loading times. If you are tired of those phones that crash or take ages to load apps, Nokia G21 is what you need.
Battery
A good phone must have a good battery, or else, it will be rendered useless. HMD Global might have had this in mind when they molded the massive 5050mAh battery for the Nokia G21. The massive battery lasts up to three days and has the 18W charging capability through the USB type C charger.
There is a battery saver mode that restricts background activities to save the battery, hence a longer time in terms of useability. The battery saver limits activities such as visual effects, touch sound, and more. At the same time, there is Super Battery Saver mode that lets your phone remain active at very low power.
Camera
The current generation, popularly known as Gen Z, has a thing with cameras. They love powerful cameras more than anything else. The majority of them, before purchasing a phone, will first look at the specifications of the camera. Nokia G21 lands with a 50MP triple camera with AI imaging on the rear, as well as an 8MP selfie camera on the front. The triple 50MP AI-enabled camera includes the 50MP main sensor, 2MP Macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor.
The software
Nokia G21 runs Android 11 – specifically Google’s Android One implementation which is generally fairly stock Android. There’s a software update ready for you as soon as you turn the phone on, bringing the phone up to the 5 April 2022 security update and 1 May Google Play System update.
Should you buy this phone?
Of course, yes. One of the best and most powerful budget phones right now. Learn more about the device here and grab it at your nearest shop from KES 18,000.
