Nokia C5 TDSCDMA The Ultimate Guide to Features Pricing and Performance

Overview

The Nokia C5 TD-SCDMA is a distinct model released as part of Nokia's effort to cater to specific markets with unique telecommunication standards, particularly China. Released in Q3 2010, this device combines Nokia's traditional strengths in sturdy build quality and reliable performance with the specific technical requirements for TD-SCDMA networks, widely used in China at the time.

Design and Build

The Nokia C5 TD-SCDMA sports a classic candy bar design, adhering to the aesthetics common during its release period. With dimensions measuring 112 x 48 x 14.6 mm and a weight of 122 grams, it offers a compact and lightweight feel. The use of durable materials ensures robustness, a hallmark of Nokia's mobile phones. Users can select from two color options: white and black, allowing for a degree of personal customization.

Display

Equipped with a 2.4-inch TFT display capable of displaying 16 million colors, the screen of the Nokia C5 TD-SCDMA is vivid and sufficiently bright for the device's intended purposes. The screen's resolution is 240 x 320 pixels, offering a pixel density of around 167 ppi, which, while not high by today's standards, was adequate for feature phones of that era.

Performance

Under the hood, this device runs on the Symbian 9.3 operating system with Series 60 rel. 3.2 interface, powered by a 600 MHz ARM 11 processor. The Symbian OS, known for its efficiency in resource management, ensures smooth multitasking and satisfactory performance for day-to-day operations such as calling, messaging, and basic application use.

Memory and Storage

The Nokia C5 TD-SCDMA comes with 256MB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a dedicated microSDHC slot, accommodating more extensive media libraries and applications. While the internal memory might be meager compared to modern standards, it was typical for the devices released in that time period.

Camera System

In terms of photography, the device is equipped with a 5-megapixel rear camera featuring autofocus. This camera can capture video at 480p resolution at 30 frames per second. While it might not compete with today's smartphone cameras, it provides adequate quality for casual photography needs. A VGA camera on the front caters to video call requirements, a convenient feature for staying connected face-to-face.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery (BL-5F), the Nokia C5 TD-SCDMA offers respectable battery longevity. It supports up to 190 hours of standby time on 2G and up to 165 hours on 3G networks. Talk time extends up to 4 hours and 40 minutes on 2G and 7 hours and 40 minutes on 3G, providing plenty of time for communication before needing a recharge.

Connectivity and Network

Specially designed for the Chinese market, the device supports TD-SCDMA 3G bands alongside typical GSM 850/900/1800/1900 2G bands. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming and microUSB 2.0 for data transfer and charging. However, it lacks WLAN capabilities, operating primarily over telecom networks for data and connectivity.

Audio Features

Audio on the Nokia C5 TD-SCDMA is delivered through built-in stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack, offering versatility in media consumption. Although it lacks modern advanced audio technologies, the simplicity and reliability of the audio output means users can enjoy music and calls without issues.

Additional Features

Onboard, the device features GPS and A-GPS services, complemented by Ovi Maps 3.0, providing essential navigation and location services. The browser supports multiple formats, including WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, and Adobe Flash Lite for web browsing, albeit at a basic level by today's standards.

Conclusion

The Nokia C5 TD-SCDMA stands as a testament to Nokia's ability to design market-specific devices with reliable performance and essential features. While modern smartphone technology has far surpassed it, the C5 TD-SCDMA's commitment to functionality and build quality reflects the era of mobile phones it symbolizes. It's a device that catered efficiently to its intended audience, offering connectivity, basic multimedia, and telecommunication functions required by users during its time.