Nokia C3-01 Review

Welcome to the Nokia C3-01 Touch and Type review. The Nokia C3 released in early 2011 is one of latest feature phones from the ever changing mobile phone company. The C3-01 is 3G capable phone and the more feature packed version of the related and cheaper C3-00 which is a GSM only version. The Nokia C3 is a a relatively cheap mobile phone in 2011 priced under $250 on release and can only get better.

In terms of the use interface the C3-01 is the first touch screen and fitted with a standard keypad. However the most impressive part of the package is that the phone runs the old S40 OS and even more impressive is that Wi-Fi is included and best of all the C3 works amazingly well. The touch screen is responsive and the menu system works in a logical and speedy fashion. We have no complaints about the touch screen interface – in fact it was very intuitive.

In terms of design, the C3-01 is better in the hand than the pictures.  The screen seems larger than it is but the keys also larger than you’d expect. The mostly metal case gives it a nice feel too – again no complaints. Although we couldn’t install additional software it’s standard games will still work using the numeric keypad.

The only legitimate issue we have is the stand-by screen design. Clearly the screen is packed with icons and functionality but the need for bigger on screen buttons and that the resolution is relatively small making the graphics looks low end. It also doesn’t have GPS but from experience it is not an essential feature just yet.

If this phone was released a few years ago the C3 would probably be on best seller lists.  Hopefully Nokia has learnt from past mistakes and release state of the art phones at reasonable prices and time frames from no on.

In terms of hardware the phone does have one or two new features but that said – it is only a GSM phone! Among the best features: it uses the latest Transmissive LCD display screen which basically means it can be read more easily outdoors and it has Wi-Fi. Although it is not a 3G capable phone it can still used GPRS for data. Basically all this means is that you can chat and IM and Facebook all your want but can’t or shouldn’t browse the web until you get access to a Wi-Fi access point because the GPRS/EDGE is really slow. Combined with a massive battery the C3 left on standby can last up to 33 days!

All up the Nokia C3-01 is a extremely decent phone and based on the out right pricing of under $250 (Feb 2011)  it does almost anything you’d want in a traditional phone format.  Sure it’s not business friendly like the older but comparable E51 but if your needs are text and talk with a bit of internet thrown in like the masses, than you can’t really go wrong.

Specifications

• Nokia C3-02
• Network
  Quad-band 3G 850/900/1900/2100
  Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900
• Design
  Candybar and touch screen
• 111 x W48 x D11 mm
  Weight 100 grams
• Display/s
  External TFT 240 x 320
• Camera
  5MP LED Flash
• Video Camera
  640 x 480 pixel main video camera 15FPS
• Connectivity
  Wi-Fi
  Bluetooth V2
  Micro-USB
• CPU
  ???Mhz
• Memory
  Up to 35MB available to user
  MicroSD up to 32Gig
• Ring tones
  MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others
• FeaturesFM Radio with RDS
  JAVA Apps
  Music and Media player
  Organiser/Calender
  SMS, MMS, IM, Email
  JAVA MIDP 2.0
  Speaker Phone/Hands free
  3.5mm AV/headset
  BL5-CT 3.7V 1050mAh
  Up to 18 days Standby
  Up to 6 hours Talk Time
• Price history
  Under$250 AUS 2010 (Outright)