Nokia C31

In the budget segment of smartphones priced under INR 10,000, the options are limited. However, the Nokia C31 has recently made its way into this category, targeting consumers seeking a decent smartphone at an affordable price. In this article, we will provide an honest review of the Nokia C31, with a special emphasis on its price in Pakistan, helping you make an informed buying decision.

Nokia C31 Review

The Nokia C31 is available in two variants in Pakistan, with prices starting at Rs. 29,900 for the 3GB RAM and 32GB storage model, and Rs. 39,999 for the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage model. We will explore the various aspects of the Nokia C31 in the following sections.

Box Contents

Inside the box, you will find the Nokia C31 smartphone, along with a SIM ejection pin, a 10 Watt charger, a micro USB cable, and a user manual. The contents are fairly standard for a smartphone in this price range.

Build and Design: Durability Meets Practicality

Nokia is known for producing durable smartphones, and the Nokia C31 is no exception. Despite its plastic sides and back, the phone feels solid and sturdy. Weighing 200g, it may feel slightly bulky, but the textured back adds character to the device.

The placement of various components is well thought out. The 3.5mm headphone jack is located at the top, although there is no secondary microphone. At the bottom, you will find the microphone and a micro USB port, which may disappoint some users who expected a more modern USB-C port.

The volume and power buttons are conveniently placed on the right side, while the left side houses the SIM card tray that accommodates two SIM cards and a memory card. At the back, you'll find the camera array, fingerprint sensor, and speaker.

Overall, the Nokia C31's build quality is commendable, and the textured back panel adds a touch of sophistication that sets it apart from other devices in its price range.

Display

The Nokia C31 features a sizable 6.74-inch LCD panel, making it ideal for users who enjoy consuming multimedia content. However, the presence of a dewdrop notch and a significant bottom chin may make the phone appear dated.

While the display offers adequate brightness for indoor use, it may be challenging to view the screen under direct sunlight. On a positive note, the auto-brightness sensor effectively adjusts the screen brightness based on the ambient lighting conditions.

Performance

The Nokia C31's performance is the area where it falls short. Equipped with an octa-core UNISOC SC9863A processor, which is relatively outdated, the phone struggles to handle basic tasks and animations. Opening apps, scrolling through social media, and typing quickly on the keyboard often result in sluggish performance, frame drops, and stutters.

While casual games like Subway Surfers and Hill Climb Racing can be played, more demanding games may experience frame drops. The underpowered processor, combined with eMMC 5.1 storage, further impacts performance, resulting in slower read and write speeds compared to newer UFS storage.

Software and UI

One of Nokia's strengths is its commitment to delivering a clean and close-to-stock Android experience, which is evident in the Nokia C31. Out of the box, the device runs on stock Android 12, free from bloatware and adware commonly found in other devices within this price range.

However, despite the clean software experience, the Nokia C31 may not be as well-optimized as expected. Nokia does not guarantee future Android version updates but provides security updates for two years. It is worth mentioning that the review unit we tested was running on the October update as of February 2023.

Camera

The Nokia C31 features a triple camera setup consisting of a 13 MP main camera, 2 MP macro lens, and a 2 MP depth sensor. It also includes a 5 MP selfie camera. The device utilizes the Google Camera app to assist with photos and software processing.

In well-lit conditions, the 13 MP main camera captures decent photos, but zooming in may result in loss of details. However, the camera struggles with exposure control. Nighttime photography produces soft and grainy images, even with the night mode enabled, which often requires longer capture and processing times.

The macro mode is challenging to use, with difficulty focusing on the subject, and the resulting images lack quality due to the 2 MP lens. Similarly, the 5 MP selfie camera performs well in daylight but struggles in low-light scenarios, resulting in blurry and less detailed photos.

Battery Life

The battery life of the Nokia C31 is a standout feature. With a 5050 mAh battery, the device can last up to three days on a single charge, as claimed by Nokia. During our usage, we found this claim to be accurate, with the device lasting for two full days without needing to be charged. The Super Battery Saver option provided by Nokia helps extend battery life when away from a charger. However, it's worth noting that the included 10 Watt charger takes around 3 hours to fully charge the large battery.

Closing Thoughts on Nokia C31 In conclusion, the Nokia C31 offers a solid smartphone experience, true to the brand's reputation for durability. While the device could benefit from a more powerful processor and improved camera capabilities, its large display makes it suitable for older adults or as a secondary phone. If considering the Nokia C31, opting for the 4 GB RAM variant would ensure smoother performance and additional internal storage capacity.