Both the Nokia C20 and C300 target the ultra-budget smartphone market, but they represent distinctly different approaches to value. The C20 prioritizes affordability above all else, while the C300 attempts to deliver a more modern experience with a more capable chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia C300 is the clear winner. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a substantial performance boost over the C20’s Unisoc SC9863A, resulting in smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the C20 is cheaper, the C300’s improved performance justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM, Brazil | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 08 | 2023, June 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 06 | Available. Released 2023, June 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.9 x 8.8 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.35 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 | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~77.5% 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 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | 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 | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | 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, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sand, Dark Blue | Blue |
| Models | TA-1339, TA-1348, TA-1352, TA-1356 | - |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | 0.74 W/kg (head) 1.16 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) | - |
Nokia C20
- Lowest possible price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Acceptable for basic communication tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Less efficient processor
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Nokia C300
- Faster and more responsive performance
- More power-efficient processor
- Improved camera image processing
- Better suited for multimedia consumption
- Higher price than the C20
- Charging is limited to 10W
Display Comparison
Neither Nokia provides detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the price points, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The C300’s more powerful chipset *could* support a higher refresh rate, though this is unconfirmed. The real difference lies in the processing power available to drive the display; the C300 will likely exhibit smoother animations and transitions due to the Snapdragon 662’s superior GPU.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The C300’s Snapdragon 662 includes a more capable Image Signal Processor (ISP) than the C20’s Unisoc chip. This means the C300 will likely produce better-quality photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions, with improved dynamic range and noise reduction. The processing power of the Snapdragon 662 will also allow for faster image processing and potentially more advanced camera features.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices is the chipset. The Nokia C20’s Unisoc SC9863A, built on a 28nm process, features an octa-core CPU split between 1.6GHz and 1.2GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This is a relatively basic configuration. In contrast, the Nokia C300 boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), with a more sophisticated octa-core setup: 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver. The 11nm process node is significantly more efficient than 28nm, leading to better thermal management and potentially longer battery life under load. The Kryo cores also offer a performance advantage over the Cortex-A55s, particularly in sustained workloads. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable overall user experience on the C300.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the C300’s 11nm Snapdragon 662 is more power-efficient than the C20’s 28nm Unisoc chip. This efficiency, combined with the C300’s 10W wired charging, suggests it will likely offer comparable or even better real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity battery. The C20’s less efficient chipset will drain the battery faster under similar usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C20 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your smartphone usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. Buy the Nokia C300 if you value a smoother, more responsive experience for social media, streaming video, and occasional gaming, and are willing to spend a little more for that 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 social media apps smoothly, with minimal lag or stuttering. The C20’s Unisoc chip may struggle with these apps, especially when multitasking.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Nokia C300 slow compared to other smartphones?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today’s standards. However, given the likely smaller battery capacity and the power efficiency of the Snapdragon 662, a full charge should still be achievable within a reasonable timeframe (around 3-4 hours). The C20 likely has similar charging speeds.
❓ Can the Nokia C300 run basic mobile games?
The Nokia C300’s Snapdragon 662 is capable of running many basic mobile games at playable frame rates. However, demanding 3D games may require lower graphics settings to maintain smooth performance. The C20 will struggle with even moderately demanding games.
❓ What type of storage does the Nokia C300 use, and is it expandable?
While not specified, budget smartphones like the C300 typically use eMMC storage. Expandability via microSD card is highly probable, given the target market, but needs to be verified with the official specifications.
