You can get a great phone even after spending a very low amount of money. Even if you spend less than $100/150. If you do not believe it, you have never seen devices such as the new Realme C3. And how not to talk about smartphones running Android Go like the newly-announced Nokia C2? They offer a “lite” version of Android so that they can run smoothly even on low-end or outdated hardware. Even Samsung launched its entry-level smartphone for 2020: the Samsung Galaxy A11. Here, you will find an in-depth specs comparison between three of the most recent and amazing entry-level devices meant for people with a minimum budget: Nokia C2, Realme C3, and Samsung Galaxy A11.
Nokia C2 vs Realme C3 vs Samsung Galaxy A11
| Nokia C2 | Oppo Realme C3 | Samsung Galaxy A11 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 154.8 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm, 161 grams | 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm, 195 grams | 161.4 x 76.3 x 8 mm, 177 grams |
| DISPLAY | 5.7 inches, 720 x 1440p (HD+), 282 ppi, IPS LCD | 6.5 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD | 6.4 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 268 ppi, TFT |
| PROCESSOR | Unisoc, octa-core 1.4 GHz | Mediatek Helio G70, octa-core 2 GHz | octa-core 1.8 GHz |
| MEMORY | 1 GB RAM, 16 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 2 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 2 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD dedicated slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 9 Pie, Android Go | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, One UI |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS |
| CAMERA | 5 MP f/2.2 5 MP front camera |
Triple 12 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4 5 MP f/2.4 front camera |
Triple 13 + 5 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.2 and f/2.4 8 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 2800 mAh | 5000 mAh, battery charging 10W | 4000 mAh, fast charging 15W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot, reverse charging, splash resistant | Dual SIM slot |
Design
Nokia C2 is actually one of the smartphones with the most compact bodies out there and this is a big added value, despite it is not the most beautiful device. Realme C3 and Samsung Galaxy A11 are definitely more elegant: the former due to its elegant glass back and the latter because of its punch-hole display. The Realme C3 has bigger dimensions, but it is the only offering protection against water: it is splash resistant. Further, it has a front panel protected by Gorilla Glass 3. So it is undoubtedly the most interesting when it comes to build quality.
Display
In each case, you have to deal with a below-average, but still sufficient, display. Nokia C2 and Realme C3 feature an IPS panel with an HD+ resolution, while Samsung Galaxy A11 has a TFT panel that is a technology inferior to IPS, but it still offers an HD+ resolution. While Nokia C2 has a very smaller display (a lot easier for one-handed use, which makes the phone very compact), Realme C3 has a wide 6.5-inch panel for the joy of productive users. But a so wide panel decreases the pixel density, so you may notice a big difference in the level of definition despite the Realme C3 has the same resolution as its two opponents. On the other hand, Realme C3 offers high brightness and wide viewing angles, so it is definitely worth a chance.
Specs & Software
The Realme C3 has a very powerful chipset, one of the best ones ever seen on an entry-level smartphone. We are talking about the Helio G70 by MediaTek, an SoC meant not only for general performance but also for gamers thanks to its high GPU performance. The processor is paired with up to 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage: the highest-end memory configuration of this comparison. Despite it runs Android Go that is a light version of Android, Nokia C2 has no way to reach the Realme C3. And the same is for the Samsung Galaxy A11 fueled by a Unisoc chipset. Samsung Galaxy A11 has more advanced memory configurations than Nokia C2 and it runs Android 10 out of the box just like the Realme C3, while Nokia C2 still runs Android 9 Pie (but note that it is the Go Edition).
Camera
Realme C3 comes with two or three cameras on the rear side, depending on the market. But on the paper, both the versions are inferior to the Samsung Galaxy A11. The Galaxy A11 boasts a triple camera including a 13 MP main sensor with a bright f/1.8 aperture, a 5 MP ultrawide sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor. It even has a pretty nice (for an entry-level device) 8 MP front camera. Right after, we obviously got the Realme C3 in both its variants. The version with a dual camera lacks the ultrawide lens, but if we compare it to the Nokia C2 it does not matter since it only comes with a single (and pretty bad) 5 MP camera. But the Nokia C2 is the only with a front-facing LED flash allowing to shoot selfies in the dark.
Battery
With its mammoth 5000 mAh battery and a very efficient display, Realme C3 is one of the smartphones delivering the longest battery life and it wins this comparison. Right after, we got the Samsung Galaxy A11 with a still nice 4000 mAh battery, while Nokia C2 loses again with its 2800 mAh battery.
Price
Realme C3 has a starting price inferior to €115/$130, while the pricing details of Nokia C2 and Samsung Galaxy A11 are still unknown. But we are pretty sure that Nokia C2 will have a way more affordable price. If we only consider the specifications, Realme C3 is the absolute winner of the comparison due to its stronger chipset and a bigger battery. But do not forget that Samsung Galaxy A11 offers a very nice camera.
Nokia C2 vs Realme C3 vs Samsung Galaxy A11: PROs and CONS
Nokia C2
PROs
- Very affordable
- Android Go
- Very compact
- Front-facing LED flash
CONS
- No fingerprint reader
Oppo Realme C3
PROs
- Amazing performance
- Splash resistant
- Android 10 out of the box
- Reverse charging
- Huge battery
CONS
- Nothing particular
Samsung Galaxy A11
PROs
- Great design
- Nice cameras
- Good battery life
- 128 GB of internal storage
- Thinner
CONS
- Inferior display
