Nokia has brought the G21 to Kenya. This is the successor of the G20 that was also available locally. It was a great device, and still is because it nails the basics, save for a few missteps.
This time around, the G21 has picked a few new tricks, which is to be expected for a new device.
For instance, the display refreshes at 90 Hz now, which is a good thing for phones on its price range.
However, the screen has not gained any more pixels: it still maxes out at HD+, which is okay but quite low in modern times.
Memory options are also interesting: Kenyan buyers will only get the versions with 4 GB of RAM, and either 64 GB or 128 GB of storage. The RAM, to be honest, is quite low, bearing in mind that there are phones that cost the same with 6 or more GBs of RAM.
Where Nokia has put more on this time around is in the main camera sensor. It is a 50 MP module, which is dense for the price. It is accompanied by two 2 MP shooters, one for macro shots and another one for depth details. As I have always said, macro snappers are useless, but to save some bucks, manufacturers put them here to just boost the number of sensors on the rear camera system. It is a decision that I think should be dropped, because, who uses macro sensors?
Nokia says that the G21 should be launching with Android 12 out of the box. We hope this will be the case because Nokia has since dropped the ball in terms of consistent and timely software updates. Nevertheless, Nokia’s approach to Android is attractive because the company barely touches the vanilla version of the OS so it is nearly identical to what Google has in its Pixel phones, if only I can stretch the truth of that statement.
Oh, there is an 8 MP snapper at the front.
Powering the handheld is a Unisoc T606 chipset. Yes, it is not a popular silicon, but its 2×1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores should get the job done.
The fingerprint reader is part of the power button, and I hope it is reliable and speedy this time around.
Pricing and Availability
Nokia G21 will be available in Nordic Blue (navy) and Dusk (dark taupe) in 4/64 GB and 4/128 GB variants.
Both variants will be available in Safaricom outlets and dealer shops, with MKOPA for device financing, and Open channel, ranging from Kes 19,999 for 4/64 variant and from Kes 21,999 for 4/128 variant.
