Achim Maier
HMD Global launches 2023 with a budget Android 12 Go Edition phone, the Nokia C12. Based on the model number, it’s a follow-up to the Nokia C10 from early 2021, although it’s actually smaller than most C-series phones. This is due to the 6.3-inch LCD display with HD+ resolution. The C12 measures 160.6 x 74.3 x 8.75mm and weighs 177.4g. For comparison, the C10 measures 169.9 x 77.9 x 8.8mm, weighs 191g and has a 6.52 inch display. A more recent example is the Nokia C31, which is slightly larger with a 6.75-inch display.
The Nokia C12 is powered by a Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset and a PowerVR IMG 8322 GPU. The processor is based on an old 28 Nm process and has eight Cortex-A55 cores (4x 1.6 GHz, 4x 1.2 GHz). There is also 2 GB of RAM and you can add another 2 GB of virtual RAM. The Android 12 Go Edition only needs a minimum of 1 GB RAM, but there are also models with up to 4 GB, so the C12 is somewhere in the middle. It is equipped with 64 GB of memory (eMMC 5.1), but there is no microSD slot.
Nokia C12 with 3,000 mAh battery and 5 watt charging
The Nokia smartphone has two cameras. The 8 megapixel main camera has autofocus, an LED flash and night and portrait functions. There is also a 5 megapixel selfie camera in a notch on the front. The Nokia C12 is a 4G smartphone, other wireless connectivity options include Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth 5.2. There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microUSB port. The 3,000 mAh battery (with “all-day battery life”) is charged via the latter. And with a whopping 5 watts.
As outdated as the Nokia C12 may seem, it’s built to last. The polycarbonate body has a grippy texture, but the phone is also drop-resistant and has a tempered glass front. And it is IP52-certified and therefore protected against dust and dripping water. HMD commits to 2 years of quarterly security updates. Nothing is known about operating system updates, but this is typical for Go Edition models.
The Nokia C12 is only available in 2/64 GB and costs 120 euros ($130). It will initially come to Germany and Austria, with other markets to follow.
