Introduction
The Nokia G21 is a new breed of affordable phone by HMD Global, replacing the likes of Nokia 5.3 and Nokia 5.4 which traditionally runs on the SD6++ platform. It comes with a 12nm Unisoc T606 processor which has an Octa-core CPU ( 2x 1.6 GHz Cortex A75 & 6 x 1.6 GHz Cortex A55) and a Mali G57 MP1 GPU. This arrangement allows it to provide balanced performance to battery life ratio. In my previous review, comparing its performance to the Nokia 5.3 and Nokia 5.4, it is evident that the performance of the Nokia G21 is quite good and is on par with SD665.
But many have been wondering whether this device is capable of giving a wholesome package when it comes to gaming. These days, phones are the main go to device for almost everything related to the internet. It needs a capable processor and good battery life for users to execute their task with ease without hunting for chargers in between.
One of the questions that’s has been popping up a lot is that whether this device allows a smooth gaming experience.
Mali G57 MP1
Following suggestion by my colleague @Nokiapurist, I have tested a few popular games to see how this device handles and throttles the performance. In general, the 90Hz display allows great visual performance and I was pleased seeing how the games run smoothly in the medium settings without any drop in the frame rate in general.
The device did became warm after a few minutes of playing but it was something that is acceptable and will not distract you from continuing to play your games.
These are the settings of each game and the video on how it actual performs. P/S: This article is to show how the phone handles the graphics and not in any way to show my capability of playing mobile games 😅:
Modern Strike Online
Asphalt 9
Call of Duty Mobile
PUBG
Conclusion
The Nokia G21 is an ideal device for those looking for balanced performance and battery life. The extra long battery life with a relatively capable processor allows more work to be done in between charges. Without a doubt, this phone will do well in emerging markets, especially for those looking to squeeze more from their device. A great battery life, a smooth 90Hz display and a processor capable of playing games in medium settings with good frame rate is a definitely the best combination for an affordable device.
