After an extended bout of silence since its global unveiling at MWC 2022, HMD Global's Nokia C21 has finally graced Pakistan. The vanilla model features Nokia's retro design ethos, complete with a thick chin and bezels that evoke nostalgia.
Priced snugly at Rs 16,000/-, the device seeks to offer reliability without breaking the bank. Under its hood, the Nokia C21 packs the UNISOC SC9863A – an older octa-core chipset molded on a 28nm design. It may not shatter speed records with its 1.6GHz ceiling, but combined with the streamlined Android 11 Go Edition, the expectation is a silky user experience.
Consistent with Nokia's commitment, the C21 is on track to receive two years of both OS and security updates. The variant docked onto Pakistani shores bears a modest 2GB RAM and an internal storage of 32GB (eMMC 5.1). Yet, the dedicated MicroSD slot grants users a bit more legroom should they need extra space.
The Nokia budget new model's back is quite the spectacle. Nestled within a rounded module, you'll discover an 8MP primary shooter accompanied by a flash. Flip it, and a 5MP camera awaits the selfie bugs. Adjacent lies the biometric fingerprint sensor and a rear-facing speaker grille.
Powering the show is a 3000mAh battery, albeit charged via the older Micro-USB port. The display stretches 6.5 inches diagonally, imbued with a minimalist notch and spewing visuals in 720 x 1600 pixels HD+ clarity.
If you're pondering the aesthetics, it arrives in classy shades of Dark Blue and Warm Gray. Priced at Rs 16,000, the Nokia C21 seems primed to offer a blend of nostalgia and functionality on a budget.
