NOKIA C30: A huge treat for binge-watching shows, playing light games

Admit it: Watching shows and playing games via smartphone can be tiring, especially when you have a really small screen. Nokia, one of the toughest smartphone brands ever, to the rescue! Aside from delivery one of the most durable keypad phones in our lifetime, Nokia has also released a widescreen 6.82″ HD+ mobile phone this year. Meet the Nokia C30 – your next binge-watching buddy!

Although I’d admit that the Nokia C30 isn’t exactly the best in class, it has strengths that can fit a certain demographics’ needs. If you’re looking for an affordable phone within the Php 7,000 price range with a wide screen, a decent battery life that can last an entire day, and a durable polycarbonate build to protect your phone, then this may be for you. It’s powered by a Unisoc SC9863A processor, runs on Android 11 Go edition, and comes with 2GB + 32GB of internal storage — good enough to run and save common apps on our phone, play lots of videos and light games. If you’re a casual gamer, the likes of Pokemon Unite will work just fine, too.

DESIGN AND DISPLAY

One of the first things that I’ve noticed about the Nokia C30 is the logo at the bottom part of the screen. While most brands have already removed brandings on the bezels, Nokia still has a logo that takes up much of the space at the bottom of the screen. Even with very visible bezels, the screen space is still wide enough at 6.82″ HD. The size and crisp, bright display are great for watching videos on Netflix and YouTube, as well as running light games.

On top, you’ll find a V-notch display at the center and a thin earpiece. At the back, you’ll find the dual camera setup at the center and the fingerprint sensor directly below it.

On the right side of the device, you’ll find the Power Button and Volume Rocker. The left side is empty so you’ll get a better and smoother grip. At the bottom is its micro-USB port, while the audio port is placed on top. This position is great if you use earphones to listen to music while your phone is in your pocket. However, it can be a bit bothersome if your earphones are plugged in while you’re scrolling through your phone as wires may get in the way.

Although the Nokia C30 feels heavier than usual smartphones, the polycarbonate build adds a layer of assurance for users who tend to drop their phone. The back part isn’t a fingerprint magnet, too! To keep your phone clean and scratch-free, I would suggest that you use the free jelly case, though.

Another thing that sets the Nokia C30 apart from any other smartphone is its removable back cover which hides the dual SIM and micro-SD slots. It’s been a while since I last opened the back cover of a smartphone!

It may take some time for you to get used to the size and weight, especially if you have small hands like mine. I find it easier to type using two hands.

CAMERA

While the cameras are definitely not the best feature of the smartphone, its 13MP + 2MP dual rear cameras and a 5MP selfie camera perform decently under well-lit areas, especially outdoors. Note that photos tend to look pasty when the light is too bright or if there isn’t enough light source.

I tried focusing on different subjects but the rear cameras have an auto-focus feature which makes manual focus quite challenging:

Indoor selfies don’t look as clear as outdoor selfies, too. There’s a grainy look on each snap even with the Beautify feature off.

Other camera features include Panorama, Portrait, Time Lapse, and Timer. Video resolution for both the rear and front cameras can be set to FHD 1080p or HD 720p, which are decent enough for social media uploads.

BATTERY

Even though its has a removable back cover, the Nokia C30’s battery isn’t removable. The Li-Po 6000mAh non-removable battery is 5V2A fast-charging compatible, making it a good candidate for a binge-watching device. From 0%, you’ll need around two hours to put it back up to 100%.

PERFORMANCE

With the Android 11 Go edition, it can run commonly-used apps, keep up with day-to-day email and SMS exchanges, have enough juice for continuous calls, and play crisp and clear videos for over a day. The interface is super easy to understand, you can even consider giving this as a gift to your parents or relatives who need assistance with the visual size of things. Netflix, YouTube, Discovery Plus, and other apps run well for over a day.

In terms of gaming, this is a decent option if you need huge screens for the likes of Pokemon Unite or as simple as Candy Crush. Frame rate can be adjusted and I only encountered a hiccup or two within my week-long use.

Additionally, when there’s a major brownout and you have a lot of battery left, the Nokia C30 can run its FM radio receiver to keep you on the loop.

SPECIFICATIONS

Display	6.82” HD+ V-notch display Brightness: 400 nits (typ.), NTSC (typ.) 70%
Size	177.7 x 79.1 x 9.9mm
Weight	237g
OS	Android 11 (Go edition)
CPU	Octa-core 1.6GHz (4A55 1.6GHz+4A55 1.2GHz)
Memory / Storage	RAM/ROM: 3 + 64GB MicroSD card slot supports up to 256GB
Rear Camera	13MP AF + 2MP FF Depth
Front Camera	5MP FF
Battery	6000mAh, Non-removable with removable cover 5V2A charging compatible
I/O	Micro-USB (USB 2.0) 3.5mm audio jack
SIM Slot	Nano SIM + Nano SIM + MicroSD hybrid slot (Dual SIM only)
Security	Biometric Face Unlock Fingerprint Sensor
Connectivity	802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 4.2 GPS/AGPS Ambient Light Sensor Proximity Sensor Accelerometer (G-sensor) FM Radio
Network Speed	4G
Band/CA	GSM : 850, 900, 1800, 1900 WCDMA : 1, 5, 8 LTE : 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 (120 MHz) CAT4, No NFC
Inside the Box	Nokia C30, Quick Start Guide, Micro-USB Cable, SIM Tool, 5V2A Charger, Jelly Case, Headset

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The Nokia C30 is already available in Nokia outlets nationwide and in their official e-commerce stores like Shopee for only Php 6,690. I would suggest that you purchase one during sale season for extra discount and free shipping here: https://shp.ee/py5fk2b.

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