HMD Global released the Nokia C12, a budget-tier phone, in March 2023 in the Philippines. The C-series offers many features in the entry-level segment, but the C12 looks similar to the Nokia C10. There are no major changes to the design and it also resembles the Nokia C31 with a smaller display.
The Nokia C12 has decent features, from its display to its battery. The most interesting attribute of this smartphone is its removable battery. However, the compact body and clean UI make it hopeful in the affordable price segment. It has acceptable cameras, small battery, and other features. Read on to learn more about the Nokia C12.
Nokia C12 Specs
- Android 12 Go Edition
- Dual SIM, Dual Standby
- 6.3-inch HD+ IPS Display, 1600 x 720 pixel resolution, ~278 ppi
- 1.6GHz octa-core Unisoc SC9863A1 processor
- IMG8322 GPU
- 3GB RAM
- 64GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
- 8-megapixel main camera with LED flash
- 5-megapixel front-facing camera
- WiFi, WiFi hotspot
- 4G LTE
- microUSB 2.0
- GPS, A-GPS
- 3,000mAh removable battery
Design and Build Quality
The Nokia C12 is designed with several notable features that enhance its aesthetic appeal. The device boasts a sleek and stylish look, thanks to its nano-textured back panel. Its camera module on the back is also distinctive and adds a touch of sophistication to its design.
The Nokia C12 comes in three attractive colors worldwide, namely Light Minit, Charcoal, and Dark Cyan. However, it’s currently available only in Charcoal color in the Philippines.
The plastic body’s build quality is unsurprisingly subpar compared to its more expensive siblings. Furthermore, the 177.4-gram weight adds a sense of substance and durability, while the slightly thick body — accentuated by the 8.8-mm thickness side panel — gives the device a substantial feel in the palm of one’s hand.
Overall, the Nokia C12’s design elements, including its textured back panel and unique camera module, make it a phone that is both visually appealing and functional.
Display and Sound Quality
The Nokia C12 comes with a 6.3-inch HD+ IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. It has a 20:9 aspect ratio and 278 ppi density with an 80.3% screen-to-body ratio. It’s a smaller display compared to most entry-level smartphones at this price point.
Despite being an entry-level smartphone with a lower price tag, the screen quality of the Nokia C12 is surprisingly good. The display has a Brightness boost feature, which is particularly useful when using the phone outdoors or in bright conditions, ensuring decent visibility even under direct sunlight.
Display sharpness is one of its weaknesses as pixels are very noticeable. This makes reading articles and using it for browsing on social media sites look a bit soft compared to other entry-level smartphones with FHD+ screens. Fortunately, the color and contrast look fine. Watching videos from Youtube and Netflix on this device is still pleasant even with its limited screen real estate.
The speakers have good volume and voice clarity, making them suitable for watching vlogs and other content. However, it struggles when the volume is set to max as it becomes a little bit distorted.
Hardware and Performance
The Nokia C12 is packed with a powerful and efficient Unisoc SC9863A1 octa-core processor, clocking in at 1.6GHz. Complementing the processor is the IMG8322 GPU, which has been optimized to deliver decent graphics performance for entry-level games and applications.
Nokia C12’s 3GB of RAM is definitely not the biggest among the competition, but it’s good enough for typical day-to-day use. And for someone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone, it’s probably more than enough.
The Nokia C12 also comes with a generous 64GB of internal storage, ensuring ample space for storing all your favorite apps, music, videos, and photos. This should be more than enough for average users, but it can also be expanded via microSD in case there’s a need for more.
While the Nokia C12 does offer a generally decent user experience, a feature that seems to be lacking is the presence of a fingerprint scanner. In today’s smartphone world, a fingerprint scanner is seen as an essential feature, adding an extra layer of security to the device.
For many users, a fingerprint scanner provides a convenient and secure way to unlock their smartphone, without having to remember complex passwords or patterns. It is also a way to safeguard sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access to the device.
While the absence of a fingerprint scanner may not necessarily be a deal-breaker for everyone, it is a feature that some users may miss, particularly those who prioritize security and privacy.
When it comes to gaming, there are not a lot of good things we can say about the Nokia C12. Basic games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is playable, but there are times when it struggles to keep up, especially in massive team fights.
One notable advantage of this device is it includes a complimentary pair of headphones right out of the box with this device. This gesture demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience, meaning that users can immediately begin to enjoy their new device without any additional purchases.
All in all, the hardware specifications of the Nokia C12 make it well-equipped to handle a range of applications and games, while also providing ample storage space for your needs.
Software
Let’s take a look at the Nokia C12 software, and what’s good about it compared to other smartphones in its category.
The Nokia C12 is a smartphone that is sure to impress users with its up-to-date Android 12 Go Edition operating system. This intuitive and user-friendly OS is designed to provide a fast and seamless experience, which is optimized for low-end devices. This operating system is particularly beneficial for those who may have limited storage space and processing power like the Nokia C12.
The Nokia C12 offers smart suggestions and shortcuts that help you do more with your device. Whether you’re a novice smartphone user or a seasoned pro, the Nokia C12 makes it easier than ever to get things done quickly and efficiently.
Furthermore, the Nokia C12 grants users greater visibility and control over how they share information on their devices. With advanced privacy features and easy-to-use settings, you can rest assured that your personal information is safe and secure when using the Nokia C12. This added layer of protection is a must-have in today’s increasingly connected world, ensuring that your valuable data remains private and secure at all times.
When it comes to smartphone user interfaces, the Nokia C12 stands out as one of the best. Its user interface is clean, making it easier to navigate and use the device. The Nokia C12’s Android Go OS has been designed with user experience in mind, which doesn’t require a steep learning curve.
One of the things that makes the Nokia C12’s interface stand out is its simplicity. Unlike its competitors, the interface is not cluttered with unnecessary features or overly complicated menus, so users can quickly and easily find the settings and options they need.
Camera
Although the camera performance of the Nokia C12 may not be astounding, it still does a decent job of capturing details with its 8-megapixel main lens located at the back. Despite the lack of impressive color saturation, the phone still manages to offer reasonably good photos with good lightning and a little bit of patience.
The Nokia C12’s camera performance falls a bit short in low-light situations due to noticeable image background noise. The 5-megapixel selfie camera sometimes delivers decent results, however, it’s kinda blurry most of the time and it’s not that good even for social media purposes.
The phone can also shoot up to 720p HD resolution videos. But since it doesn’t have video stabilization support, the quality is really nothing to write home about. Despite these limitations, Nokia C12’s is probably enough for casual picture-taking and video recording.
Battery Life
With a small Li-Ion 3,000 mAh battery, it’s no surprise that the Nokia C12’s battery life is not that good. For light and the usual smartphone stuff, users won’t have a problem lasting a day with this device. However, when used in video streaming and gaming, it would drain the battery out way quicker.
The removable battery of the phone is definitely something worth mentioning and is a huge selling point for many users. With most devices nowadays coming with built-in batteries, having a phone with a removable battery is becoming a rarity. This means that users can easily swap out their battery when it is no longer holding a charge or when they need extended battery life, without having to replace the entire phone.
It also allows for more control and flexibility in terms of battery management. For instance, it’s much easier to carry a spare battery than a bulky portable charger, especially when traveling or going on long trips. Moreover, it also provides a cost-effective solution should one’s battery need replacement, as opposed to getting it replaced in a service center.
Verdict
The Nokia C12 is an incredibly affordable device that’s priced at just Php4,590. Although it may not have the latest hardware out there, it makes up for it with good software and a stylish, easy-to-grip design. The cameras are also decent for its asking price and adequate enough for taking photos for social media. If you’ve been using Nokia’s feature phones and trust their durability or are on a tight budget, the Nokia C12 is a smartphone worth considering.
This article, Nokia C12 Review, was originally published at NoypiGeeks | Philippines Technology News, Reviews and How to’s.