Looking for an affordable smartphone that delivers reliable performance? The Nokia C12 and C31 are both contenders in the budget segment, offering a blend of Nokia's durability and essential features. But which one is the better choice for your needs?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia C31 edges out the C12 thanks to its slightly better chipset fabrication (28nm vs 22nm), faster charging (10W), and potentially more robust build. While both are budget options, the C31 offers a marginally improved experience for a small price difference.
| 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - South Africa, Egypt |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 18 | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 02 | Available. Released 2022, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) | 169.2 x 78 x 8.6 mm (6.66 x 3.07 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177.4 g (6.24 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.4% 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 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Wireless FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Charcoal, Mint, Cyan |
| Models | - | TA-1499, TA-1497, TA-1493 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C12
- Lower Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Durable Build (typical Nokia)
- Slower Charging
- Potentially Less Responsive Performance
- Limited Camera Features
Nokia C31
- Faster Charging (10W)
- Slightly Better Chipset Fabrication
- Macro Lens for Photography
- Durable Build (typical Nokia)
- Slightly Higher Price
- Still a Budget Phone Performance
- Limited Camera Features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.3-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for everyday use. Expect similar color accuracy and resolution. The C31 might have a slightly tougher display glass, but this is not officially confirmed.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia C12 typically features a 13MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor, while the C31 boasts a 13MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. The C31's macro lens provides a slight advantage for close-up photography. Image quality on both phones will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light.
Performance
The Unisoc SC9863A1 in the C12 has a 22nm process, potentially offering slightly better performance than the C31's 28nm SC9863A. However, the difference is likely to be minimal in real-world usage. Both phones will handle basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming without issue, but don't expect flagship-level performance.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the C31 includes 10W wired charging, which is a significant advantage over the C12, which lacks specified charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C12 is ideal for users prioritizing the absolute lowest price and basic functionality. The Nokia C31 is a better fit for those who want a slightly more responsive experience, faster charging, and potentially a more durable design, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Unisoc SC9863A and SC9863A1 chipsets?
The primary difference is the manufacturing process. The SC9863A1 in the C12 is built on a 22nm process, while the SC9863A in the C31 uses a 28nm process. Generally, a smaller process (22nm) can lead to slightly better performance and efficiency, but the real-world difference is often negligible.
❓ Are these phones good for gaming?
Neither phone is designed for demanding gaming. They can handle basic games and casual titles, but you shouldn't expect smooth performance on graphically intensive games. Both phones will likely experience lag and frame drops.
