Looking for an affordable smartphone that delivers reliable performance? The Nokia C12 Pro and C01 Plus are both contenders in the budget segment, offering essential features at attractive price points. But which one is the better choice for your needs?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia C12 Pro edges out the C01 Plus thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset (22nm vs 28nm), potentially leading to better performance and slightly improved battery life. Both are solid budget options, but the Pro offers a small upgrade.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 21 | 2021, June 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 21 | Available. Released 2021, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) | 148 x 71.8 x 9.3 mm (5.83 x 2.83 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177.4 g (6.24 oz) | 157 g (5.54 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Blue, Purple |
| Models | - | TA-1383, TA-1387, TA-1391 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.41 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C12 Pro
- More efficient chipset (22nm)
- Potentially higher price than C01 Plus
- 10W charging is still slow
Nokia C01 Plus
- Lower price point
- Reliable and simple Android experience
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
- Potentially slower charging
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar, basic LCD displays, probably around 6.3 inches with an HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for everyday use, but don't anticipate vibrant colors or high contrast ratios. The C12 Pro *might* have a slightly improved panel, but it's unlikely to be a significant difference.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a single rear camera (likely 13MP) and a front-facing camera for selfies. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The C12 Pro *might* have slightly improved image processing due to the newer chipset.
Performance
The key difference lies in the chipset. The C12 Pro's Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm) is more efficient than the C01 Plus's SC9863A (28nm). This translates to potentially smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and slightly better overall responsiveness on the C12 Pro. Both will handle basic tasks well, but demanding games are out of the question.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 4000mAh battery. While capacity is the same, the C12 Pro's more efficient chipset could result in slightly longer battery life under typical usage. The C12 Pro also supports 10W wired charging, while the C01 Plus may have a slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C12 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize a bit more performance and slightly faster charging. The Nokia C01 Plus is a great choice for those seeking the absolute lowest price point and a simple, reliable smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What Android version do these phones run?
Both phones likely run Android Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android optimized for lower-powered devices. Expect Android 12 (Go Edition) or Android 13 (Go Edition).
❓ Are these phones 5G capable?
No, neither the Nokia C12 Pro nor the Nokia C01 Plus support 5G connectivity. They are 4G LTE devices.
