The Nokia C-series represents HMD Global's commitment to accessible smartphones. We're pitting the Nokia C300, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 662, against the more basic Nokia C2 2nd Edition to determine which offers the best value for users prioritizing performance versus simplicity and potentially longer battery life.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia C300 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the C2 2nd Edition's quad-core processor, enabling smoother multitasking and app usage. While the C2 2nd Edition may offer slightly better standby battery life, the C300's improved processing power justifies the trade-off.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 28 | 2023, June 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 19 | Available. Released 2023, June 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 75.9 x 10 mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.39 in) | 166.7 x 76.6 x 8.6 mm (6.56 x 3.02 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~188 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, portrait, night |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2400 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Warm Gray | Blue |
| Models | TA-1468, TA-1454 | - |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) | - |
Nokia C2 2nd Edition
- Potentially longer standby battery life due to less powerful processor.
- Simpler user experience for those unfamiliar with smartphones.
- Likely lower price point.
- Significantly slower performance.
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
Nokia C300
- Much faster performance thanks to the Snapdragon 662.
- Smoother multitasking and app loading.
- Capable of casual gaming.
- Improved image processing.
- Potentially shorter battery life during active use.
- Likely a higher price point than the C2 2nd Edition.
- 10W charging is relatively slow.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the C300's positioning with a more modern chipset, it's reasonable to assume it may have a slightly higher resolution or improved color accuracy. Both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price segment. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature. Without specific data, it's difficult to assess brightness or viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It's safe to assume both feature basic camera setups geared towards casual snapshots. Without sensor size or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible. The C300's Snapdragon 662 includes an image signal processor (ISP) that will likely deliver better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance compared to the C2 2nd Edition's simpler image processing pipeline. Any 2MP macro cameras on either device should be considered largely for marketing purposes and offer minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Nokia C300's Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, is an octa-core processor (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) offering a substantial advantage over the Nokia C2 2nd Edition's quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The Snapdragon 662 also includes an Adreno 610 GPU, enabling basic gaming capabilities not present in the C2 2nd Edition. The C2 2nd Edition will struggle with anything beyond the most basic applications.
Battery Life
The Nokia C300 includes 10W wired charging. Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but given the C300's more powerful processor, it will likely consume more power during active use. The C2 2nd Edition, with its less demanding processor, may offer longer standby times. However, the C300's faster processor will complete tasks quicker, potentially reducing overall screen-on time and mitigating some of the battery life difference. Without knowing the battery capacities, it's difficult to definitively state which device offers superior battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C2 2nd Edition if you need a truly basic smartphone for essential communication – calls, texts, and light app usage – and prioritize maximum simplicity and potentially longer standby times. Buy the Nokia C300 if you prefer a more responsive experience for social media, streaming, and casual gaming, and are willing to accept slightly faster battery drain for significantly improved performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia C300 handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 662 in the Nokia C300 provides enough processing power to run Facebook, Instagram, and similar social media apps without significant lag or stuttering. The C2 2nd Edition may struggle with these apps, especially when multitasking.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Nokia C300 a significant drawback?
10W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours. However, given the likely smaller battery capacity and the target audience for these devices, it's unlikely to be a deal-breaker for most users. Overnight charging is a practical solution.
❓ Can the Nokia C300 run games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Nokia C300 can *run* PUBG Mobile, it won't be a high-performance experience. Expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially with frame rate drops. The C2 2nd Edition is unlikely to run PUBG Mobile at all.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on these phones?
Storage options are not specified in the provided data. However, based on the market segment, both devices likely offer limited internal storage (e.g., 32GB or 64GB) with microSD card support for expansion.
