Nokia C01 Plus Review

Recently, there has been little shortage of entry-level smartphones, but in 2021, Nokia came with an entry-level smartphone, C01 Plus, designed by HMD Global. It was released for public use in India on June 2021. The phone has a 5.45-inch HD+ display, a Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB or 32GB of storage. It runs on Android 11 (Go edition).

It is a budget-friendly smartphone, and it will be an opportunity for those users who cannot buy a smartphone due to high rates. The Nokia C01 Plus comes under the price tag of 8,000 INR. One of the best things about this smartphone is that it was launched with Android GO edition, which means that your phone will constantly be receiving two years of quarterly security updates. The device comes with a single camera arrangement at the back of the phone with some thick bezels around it and includes all the typical features that are usually seen in other phones in the low-end price segment.

The Nokia C01 Plus comes with decent features and at a low price, but some of its features are similar to those found in slightly more expensive phones. So, if you are considering buying a new entry-level smartphone but are a bit confused about this particular model, we will give you a clear shot of this smartphone in this review article.

Specifications

• Display: 5.45-inch HD+ (720 x 1440 pixels) IPS LCD display
• Processor: Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor
• RAM: 2GB
• Storage: 16GB or 32GB (expandable up to 128GB via microSD card)
• Software: Android 11 (Go edition)
• Camera: 5MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
• Battery Capacity: 3,000mAh

Build and Design

The Nokia C01 Plus features a simple yet durable design with a sturdy plastic back cover that ensures a comfortable grip. The compact form makes it easy to handle and operate with one hand. It comes with a simple and elegant design that is liked by the users, and since it is made of plastic, it is lightweight, so the user will not have any problem holding it.

Nokia smartphones are mainly known for their solid build quality and performance. The same quality is also provided in this smartphone. Its body is made up of hard plastic.

The phone comes with a single speaker on the back. It comes with a single rear camera with a flash. The back panel also has the Nokia logo. But one drawback of the smartphone is that it does not come with a fingerprint sensor on its back. In fact, there is no fingerprint sensor at all. You have to lock and unlock it manually. Fortunately, it supports Face Lock, so you can lock your phone by enabling Face Lock, or you can do it manually as well.

On the front, there are thick borders around the screen. In addition, the chin at the top and bottom is too wide. The upper chin houses the camera, call speaker output grille, and essential sensors, while the lower chin only houses the Nokia branding. This specific design eventually makes the phone look outdated or old-styled.

Display Details

The Nokia C01 Plus has an HD+ 5.45-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1440 x 720 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The quality of the display could be sharper, but it is clear, and you can easily watch good-quality movies or videos. The best thing about the display is that it has satisfactory brightness levels, so you can easily watch the screen when you use the phone during sunlight. Overall, considering its price, the display is quite acceptable.

Camera Details

Nokia is also known for its camera; like in the olden days, users used to prefer Nokia phones only because of its camera and build quality. The Nokia C01 Plus provides a single camera setup on the back that is 5 megapixels, but it takes decent photos during the day and takes a precise shots in good indoor lighting conditions as well. The megapixels are low due to the low price range, but the quality is on par when compared to many non-branded smartphones with even 12MP camera setups.

There are many distinct features in the camera settings. With the help of such modes, you can easily take better shots in different conditions.

In the front, there is a 2MP camera which enables users to take a selfie in good lighting conditions. Like the rear camera, the front camera also provides different modes to enhance photography. Unlike most smartphones, the Nokia C01 Plus also features LED flashlight support for the front camera, which enables users to take great selfies in low-light conditions.

Software and Performance

The Nokia smartphones are also known for their performance. Running on Android 11 (Go edition), the Nokia C01 Plus provides a smooth and optimized experience even with its modest specifications. The Go edition ensures optimized performance and efficient memory usage, making it suitable for entry-level users.

Nokia phones provide exemplary performance in the lower price range as well, and Nokia C01 Plus is no exception. The Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor powers the Nokia C01 Plus. This octa-core processor is good enough to handle some average tasks, but it cannot handle heavy tasks like playing high-end games or multitasking while handling multiple tasks. In all such cases, the phone becomes slow.

It only comes with 2GB of RAM, so the phone can handle some limited apps and games. If the RAM of the phone was more, the performance could have been better. However, due to the Android go efficiency, the phone easily handles essential apps like Chrome, YouTube, Google Maps, Facebook, and others. Although the performance is not top class, we can admit that it is better than others in this price range.

This Nokia smartphone runs on the stock Android UI, but it comes with some pre-installed apps and standard games. But don't worry. All apps are removable; you can easily uninstall these apps to increase the storage of the device. Although the phone only comes with 16GB and 32GB of internal storage variants, users can expand this limit up to 128GB using a microSD card.

Connectivity & Ports

The Nokia C01 Plus has all the essential connectivity options that we often see in entry-level smartphones. It has support for 4G, 3G, and 2G network connectivity options. The phone also has wireless network support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. In terms of ports, the phone has a micro USB port and a 3.5mm jack.

Sound

The sound of the phone is average. It is the same as the other entry-level devices. You can easily watch movies and play music. For better clarity, users can connect their headphones or speakers to the phone using the 3.5mm jack.

Battery Capacity and Life

The Nokia C01 Plus packs a 3,000mAh battery that the company claims offers up to two days of standby battery life on a single charge. However, the battery only lasts about a day with moderate usage. There are few other phones in the same price segment as the Nokia C01 Plus that offer higher battery capacity. So, we can say that the battery capacity of the Nokia C01 Plus is quite low.

Have you remembered when you removed the battery from your phone? Nowadays, most of the phones come with an inbuilt battery. However, this phone (Nokia C01 Plus) does provide you with a removable battery, which is also a nice feature because sometimes, when the phone hangs, it often helps to remove the battery. Similarly, if the built-in battery gets damaged, it will cost more to replace it, but this will not be the case with the Nokia C01 Plus smartphone. Instead, you can replace your battery right away if you feel something bad inside. However, the phone is a bit heavy and thick.

Verdict: Good or Bad Purchase!

Nokia is a trusted brand, and in the 2G era, the phones of Nokia were more in demand than other smartphones. The Android phones of Nokia are also good and trusted, like the old ones. However, Nokia does not compete well in this fast-moving era and lags behind others nowadays.

The Nokia C01 Plus is an entry-level smartphone and received both types of reviews, positive and negative. According to the users, one of the best things about this phone is its price range, making it one of the most affordable phones in the market. Although it provides a satisfactory battery life, some users complain that the performance is not as good as expected.

The Nokia C01 Plus seems like a good option for entry-level users and comes with features that should enable it to perform the most fundamental smartphone functions. This phone can be a good option for your grandparents or someone whose needs mainly include access to WhatsApp, YouTube, and Calling. This may also be good for individuals who are upgrading from feature phones.

Why should one consider a Nokia C01 Plus?

• It falls in the low price range segment.
• It is durable.
• The phone comes with a good design.
• It comes with Android Go, which promises to keep the phone updated for two years.

Why should one not consider a Nokia C01 Plus?

• To keep its price low, Nokia has compromised its performance. You cannot expect to do heavy tasks or play heavy games.
• The camera quality is average. It is not suitable during the night.
• The phone's RAM is also very low, so the phone cannot multitask.

Overall, the phone is the best for those looking for a budget-level smartphone. It is not the most powerful phone or comes with many features, but the features provided in this price range are average, and it is the best option for those looking for a low-budget phone from a reliable brand.