Nokia 2.2 vs Realme C2 vs Galaxy M10 vs Redmi 7: Best entry-level phones compared

Nokia recently announced its upgraded entry-level smartphone called the Nokia 2.2 in India for a price of Rs 6,999. In our first impressions of the device, we found that the only thing that was going for the device was that it came with Google's Android One program, giving it a complete stock Android feel. Today, the phone officially goes on sale on Nokia's offline and online retail stores, so let's have a look at how the Nokia 2.2 compares with competition.[caption id="attachment_6766621" align="alignnone" width="1024"]

The Nokia 2.2 features a 5.71-inch LCD display. Image: Tech2/ Nandini Yadav[/caption]The Nokia 2.2 comes in two variants — a base 2 GB RAM + 16 GB storage variant that is priced at Rs 6,999 and a 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage variant which will sell for Rs 7,999.The Nokia 2.2 succeeds last year's Nokia 2.1 with a number of incremental improvements. The phone features a 5.71-inch HD display with smaller bezels and a resolution of 720 x 1,520 pixels. Similar to the Nokia 3.2 and the Nokia 4.2, the phone features a waterdrop-styled notch on top which makes room for the selfie camera. The device is powered by a MediaTek Helio A22 chipset with either 2 GB or 3 GB RAM onboard.For its price, the Nokia 2.2 does get stiff competition from the Realme C2 (Review) and Redmi 7 (Review) along with the Galaxy M10 as well. All these devices are entry-level and range in the Rs 6,999 to the Rs 7,999 price range. In this comparison, we will have a look at the specs of the devices on paper and try to ascertain which device comes out on top. As this is just a spec-battle, we will reserve final judgment on the Nokia 2.2 until we have reviewed it completely.

Smartphone	Nokia 2.2	Redmi 7	Realme C2	Galaxy M10
Display Size (inch)	5.71	6.26	6.1	6.22
Resolution (pixels)	720 x 1520	720 x 1520	720 x 1560	720 x 1520
Pixel Density (PPI)	295	269	282	269
Display Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD	IPS LCD	IPS LCD
Dimensions(mm)	146 x 70.6 x 9.3	158.7 x 75.6 x 8.5	154.3 x 73.7 x 8.5	155.6 x 75.6 x 7.7
Weight (gm)	153	180	166	163
Dual SIM	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
SIM Type	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Connectivity Types	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
Processor	Helio A22	Snapdragon 632	Helio P22	Exynos 7870
CPU Cores	Quad-core	Octa-core	Octa-core	Octa-core
CPU Clock Speed (GHz)	4 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53	4 x 1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4 x 1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver	8 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53	8 X 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU	PowerVR GE8320	Adreno 506	PowerVR GE8320	Mali-T830 MP1
RAM	2, 3 GB	2, 3 GB	2, 3 GB	2, 3 GB
Ruggedness	—	—	—	—
On-Board Memory	16, 32 GB	16, 32, 64 GB	16, 32 GB	16, 32 GB
Expandable Memory	Yes, upto 256 GB	Yes, upto 256 GB	Yes, upto 256 GB	Yes, upto 256 GB
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, proximity
Primary Camera	13 MP, f/2.2	12 MP, f/2.2 + 2 MP	13 MP, f/2.2 + 2 MP	13 MP, f/1.9 + 5 MP, f/2.2
Optical Image Stabilization	—	—	—	—
Camera Array	Single	Dual	Dual	Dual
Autofocus System	AF	PDAF	PDAF	PDAF
Secondary Camera	5 MP	8 MP, f/2.0	5 MP	5 MP
Video Capture	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps
Flash	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
OS Version	Android 9.0 Pie	Android 9.0 Pie	Android 9.0 Pie	Android 9.0 Pie
AI (Smart Assistant)	Google Assistant	Google Assistant	Google Assistant	Bixby
GPS	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth	4.2	4.2	4.2	4.2
NFC	—	—	—	—
Infrared	—	Yes	—	—
Fingerprint Scanner	—	Yes, Rear	—	—
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Radio	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
USB Type	microUSB	microUSB	microUSB	microUSB
USB Standard	USB 2.0	USB 2.0	USB 2.0	USB 2.0
Battery (mAh)	3,000 mAh	4,000 mAh	4,000 mAh	4,000 mAh
Fast charging	—	—	—	—
Colors	Steel, Tungsten Black	Lunar Red, Eclipse Black, Comet Blue	Diamond Black, Diamond Blue	Ocean Blue, Charcoal Black
Prices in India	Starts at Rs 6,999	Starts at Rs 7,999	Starts at Rs 5,999	Starts at Rs 7,999

Verdict

Going by the specifications on the above sheet, we can see that Nokia 2.2 does indeed fall behind its counterparts in terms of processing, display and camera. The Realme C2, which is about Rs 2,000 cheaper offers a dual-camera with a faster MediaTek P23 chipset. The most powerful among the lot appears to be the Redmi 7 which comes with Snapdragon 632 chipset, although it is priced slightly higher than the Nokia 2.2. The Galaxy M10, on paper, happens to be in the middle with a good camera but lacks a powerful chipset as the Redmi 7. Nokia 2.2's stock Android One software should help it in the software department. But we recommend you stay tuned for our full review before you take leap and buy one.