russian

Phone Search:

RSS

Samsung Galaxy Note. First Look

Today, large companies, especially corporate giants like Samsung, do not surprise users with extraordinary products...

First look. Sony ST21i Tapioca Microsoft Windows Phone 7: Reasons for Failure First Look at Samsung Galaxy S3 as a 2012 Flagship

Reviews Editorials

Mobile Phones Editorials MP3 Forum

Review of Nokia C1-01/C1-02 GSM Phones

Live photos of Nokia C1-01/C1-02

In the box:

Phone
BL-5CB Li-Ion battery
AC-3 Charger
WH-102 wired stereo headset (only in C1-01)
User Guide

Positioning

The release of Nokia C1-02 and Nokia C1-01 looks like an attempt to compete with numerous models from Chinese and Korean manufacturers offering better features (e.g. a memory card slot) in comparison with Nokia in the same candybar form factor. Two models under review were announced last summer, but current low end solutions from Nokia were still popular and new models could influence their sales. The difference between the models is almost non-existent apart from different bodies and a VGA camera in C1-01. As a result we decided to cover them in one review.

Nokia already had paired devices in the past, for example, Nokia 2320/2330. Such models offer a capability to make calls and send SMS for the lowest price. Nokia is still going strong in this segment courtesy of good build, but the example of Nokia 1208 shows the problems appear in this group as well (issues with a speaker and the loss of a SIM card). The main advantage is Nokia brand as such models have nothing special in terms of technology.

Back to the table of contents >>>

Design, dimensions and controls

Each phone weighs 78 grams and measures up to 108х45х14 mm. They fit the hand well and the build together with materials are above any criticism.

Nokia C1-01:

Nokia C1-02:

The right side features a microUSB slot protected by a plastic cap connected to the body. Alongside we see a 2 mm charger jack. The top hosts a 3.5 mm jack for a headset or headphones. Both models have a strap hole located in the top left hand corner of C1-01 or at the top in the second model. At the back of С1-01 you can observe the camera lens too. A ringtone speaker is located at the back as well.

Nokia C1-01:

Nokia C1-02:

С1-01 comes in four colors Midnight Blue, Dark Grey, Warm Grey and Red.

С1-02 is offered in the following colors - Black, Dark Plum, Blue and Cool Grey.

The front panel of С1-01 is finished with glossy plastic and the same applies to the keypad, while the other model looks less glossy due to rubber buttons. Back panels are made of velvet plastic in both models. You have to try hard if you want to scratch them. Body materials and build are definitely not to be complained about.

Nokia C1-01:

Nokia C1-02:

Back to the table of contents >>>

Screen

Models feature a standard Nokia screen used in their entry level solutions: TFT technology with 65,000 colors and the resolution of 128х160 (34х42 mm and1.8″). The screen fits up to 7 text and 3 service lines. The performance in the sun is decent, while indoors the colors are rather bright, though many modern handsets offer more in this department.

Back to the table of contents >>>

Keypad

In С1-02 buttons are made of rubber and are separated. The pressings are pleasant and the ergonomics is also good. The backlight is white, even and bright.

In С1-01 the keypad is made of a solid plastic with nice white backlight. The ergonomics is fine too.

A four position navigation key is identical in both models and offers the same level of convenience.

Back to the table of contents >>>

Battery

The model has an 800 mAh BL-5CB Li-Ion battery. The manufacturer claims up to 10.6 hours of talktime and up to 504 hours on standby. In real life the phone worked for 5 days with 2 hours of talktime and the minimum use of other features. The average operation time ranges between 3 and 6 days. The charging time is 1 hour 30 minutes.

Nokia C1-01:

Nokia C1-02:

Back to the table of contents >>>

Memory

The memory card slot is under the back cover on the right. Hot swappable memory cards of up to 32 GB are supported. The inbuilt memory of 64 MB is available.

Back to the table of contents >>>

Camera (only for С1-01)

The inbuilt camera allows for shots in 640х480, 320х240 or 160х120, while the quality can be set as high, medium or low. In the camera menu you can select night mode, use a timer or serial shots.

We cannot discuss the quality of shots as we have a simple VGA camera here. It can only be used for sending MMS.

The handset shoots video in 128х96 resolution. The length of a video shot can be limited to 10 seconds or depend on the amount of free memory in the phone. Similarly to camera pictures video shots can only be used in the phone.

Back to the table of contents >>>

Software details

Both models are based on S40 6th Lite Edition, which we have described in detail here.

Software Features of Nokia S40 6th Edition Lite

The radio quality is high and the same can be said about the player. It is basic, but works well. These phones can be used as inexpensive players by many consumers.

Back to the table of contents >>>

Impressions

A 24 tonal ringtone is loud in different environments. Speech reproduction is above criticism. You can set mp3 ringtones, which is obviously nice.

С1-01 costs €39, while its camera less "brother" is priced at €35. In both cases the price could have been lower. At the end of April Nokia X1-00 will hit the shelves at the same price, but with a better speaker. It will run S30 though, which makes it a tough call. At the same time you can find many competing models on the market offering two SIM cards (LG, Fly) or memory cards. For example, Alcatel OT-606 even comes equipped with the QWERTY keypad for the same price. Nokia brand name will do the trick and these models will sell well, but cheaper and more powerful solutions are also available. You can find many candybars and even sliders with similar features (Samsung E2550 Monte).

Do you want to talk about this? Please, go to our Forum and let your opinion be known to the author and everybody else.

Back to the table of contents >>>

Eldar Murtazin ([email protected])
Twitter Livejournal
Translated by Maxim Antonenko ([email protected])