Nokia C200 Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of Nokia C2-00

The Nokia C2-00 is a basic feature phone launched in June 2010 and released in July 2011. As a feature phone, it served the need for basic communication functionalities, and it was especially popular in emerging markets due to its budget-friendly nature. Supporting dual SIM capability, this device catered to users requiring separate business and personal lines.

Design and Build

The Nokia C2-00 boasts a compact design, easily fitting into the palm of your hand. Its dimensions are 108 x 45 x 14.7 mm, and it weighs only 74.1 grams, making it an ultra-lightweight device. The phone is available in a range of colors including Dynamic Gray, Jet Black, Magenta, Dark Blue, and Snow White, offering options to suit various user preferences. The dual SIM feature makes it particularly useful in regions where users may want to switch between different network providers easily.

Display

The device features a 1.8-inch TFT display capable of showing 65K colors. Although small by today's standards, the screen was adequate for basic applications such as calling and texting. The resolution of 128 x 160 pixels with a density of approximately 114 PPI offers clarity suitable for its intended use. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 21.0%, emphasizing the functional focus of the device rather than a multimedia one.

Camera

Equipped with a basic VGA camera, the Nokia C2-00 is not designed for high-quality photography. The camera performs adequately in bright conditions and is meant to serve quick capturing needs. Video capability is limited to QCIF@10fps, which suits basic video needs but lacks the quality for extensive use. The absence of a selfie camera highlights the device's focus on simplicity and essential features.

Performance and Storage

Under the hood, the Nokia C2-00 runs on a simple, no-frills operating system intended for feature phones. It offers 16MB of RAM and 64MB of ROM, which were relatively standard for feature phones of its time. Storage could be expanded through a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing users to store additional numbers and media like images and ringtones. The phonebook can store up to 1000 entries with photocall functionality, emphasizing its utility focus.

Connectivity and Communication

Primarily a 2G device, the Nokia C2-00 supports GSM 900/1800 bands for SIM 1. Data connections are limited to GPRS Class 12 and EDGE Class 6 technologies, sufficient for WAP-based browsing and MMS sending. Despite not having WLAN capabilities, it supports Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR for short-distance wireless data exchanges, which was an appreciated feature at its price point.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable 1020 mAh Li-Ion battery (BL-5C), providing up to 460 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours and 40 minutes of talk time. For a feature phone, these figures denote excellent battery life, addressing the needs of users in areas with limited access to frequent charging opportunities.

Audio and Multimedia

The Nokia C2-00 includes a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing users to connect standard earphones for listening to music or the stereo FM radio. It supports loudspeaker capabilities, with tests indicating sound levels of 73dB for voice and ring, and 68dB for noise. Audio quality is good, with a noise rating of -83.2dB and crosstalk at -81.3dB, which is quite acceptable given the pricing tier of the device.

Software Features

The phone supports messaging formats like SMS, MMS, Email, and IM, which are essential for everyday communication. The browser available on the device is WAP 2.0/xHTML, far from modern web standards but adequate for checking basic mobile sites. It also supports Java, enabling users to enjoy a range of basic games and applications compatible with MIDP 2.0.

Target Market and Usability

Being a feature phone, the Nokia C2-00 is built with a specific target market in mind: users seeking an economical solution for communication needs. It was especially popular in markets where smartphones were not yet affordable or required, serving as an introductory device for mobile communication. Its dual-SIM capability further broadened its appeal, being a necessary feature in regions with varying network quality.

Price and Availability

At launch, the phone was priced at approximately 50 EUR, making it an affordable option for a wide demographic. Though it has been discontinued, the Nokia C2-00 remains a noteworthy mention in the history of feature phones, representing a transitional phase towards more technologically advanced mobile solutions.

Conclusion

The Nokia C2-00 embodies the simplicity and functional design typical of feature phones from its era. While it lacks the advanced capabilities of modern smartphones, it fulfills its primary role as a reliable communication device with practical features. For users interested in a basic handset with excellent battery life and dual SIM capabilities, the C2-00 remains a respectable choice in the feature phone category.