Nokia T21 review: decent all-round mid-price Android…

Nokia T21 review: decent all-round mid-price Android tablet with great battery life

Nokia is back with T21, a more expensive tablet than last year's impressive T20 that is also a more complete package..

The new model boasts lengthy battery life, an excellent display and dual speakers that deliver a more bass-booming sound than you might expect from such a slim device.

The lightweight charcoal-grey coloured, Nokia T21 boasts a sharp 10.36in, 2K resolution, display. Colours really pop off the screen when you are streaming videos and playing gaming apps such as Call of Duty.

The display quality is augmented by pleasing dual speakers on either side of the unit.

The firm’s Ozo Playback audio delivers well-rounded sound at up to 96db of output and deeper bass notes than you’d expect from a tablet with such a compact, slim frame.

There is a decent 8MP front facing camera that works well for video calls which I tested on the Google Meet platform we use for work. There’s an 8MP rear camera too with autofocus.

The tablet can also be used as a wireless second screen for a Windows computer.

This works similarly to Apple’s Sidecar feature and gives you more visual space for your main computer when needed.

Performance from the Unisoc T612 chip is capable enough for everyday tasks and a bit of casual gaming. There is 4GB of RAM.

You get 64GB of storage built in and this can be expanded by up to 512GB with a microSD card.

T21 supports stylus use and has NFC connectivity so you can use it for contactless payments. Although I can’t see myself ever using a tablet in a shop when I could use a phone or watch to pay for purchases. But it is nice to know it’s there for emergencies.

Battery life from the 8200mAh power pack on board is a plus point. The firm promises up to three days of endurance, and I got more than 10 hours of continuous use which is about the same as an equivalent iPad.

The unit supports up to 18w wired USB-C charging but there is no charging brick in the box.

The downside on this, and all Android tablets, when compared to an iPad is that the app ecosystem is much weaker with far less apps optimised for tablet use. But this is improving.

Nokia promises two years of Android OS upgrades. The T21 runs Android 12 out of the box, incidentally.

The firm is always keen to push its eco credentials, and the T21’s tough body is made from aluminium and 60 per cent recycled plastic.

Consumers also get to plant five trees to help the planet for their purchase.

Verdict

Android tablets all struggle to compete with iPad but Nokia T21 is a decent all-rounder at a more affordable price than Apple’s entry-level ninth-gen iPad.

Nokia T21 review: decent all-round mid-price Android tablet with great battery life

Verdict

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