The Nokia C12, an inexpensive Android 12 Go Edition phone from HMD Global, debuts in 2023. Although it is smaller than other C-series phones, based on the model number, this is a follow-up to the Nokia C10 from early 2021.

This is as a result of the LCD with HD+ resolution on the 6.3″ display. The C12 weighs 177.4g and has dimensions of 160.6 x 74.3 x 8.75mm. The C10 sports a 6.52″ display and is 169.9 x 77.9 x 8.8mm and 191g in size. The Nokia C31 is a more contemporary example, although it has a bigger 6.75″ display.

In any case, the Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset, which was created on an antiquated 28nm node, powers the Nokia C12. It has a PowerVR IMG 8322 GPU and eight Cortex-A55 cores (4x 1.6GHz + 4x 1.2GHz).

Although the phone only comes with 2GB of RAM, users can choose to enable an additional 2GB of virtual RAM. Go Edition can function with as low as 1GB of RAM, but some models have up to 4GB, so the C12 is in the middle of the spectrum. Although it has 64GB of storage (eMMC 5.1), as far as we can ascertain, there is no microSD expansion slot.

The phone boasts two cameras: a 5MP selfie camera on the front and an 8MP module with autofocus and an LED flash on the rear (in a notch). They offer Portrait and Night modes.

Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth 5.2 are additional wireless communication choices available on the 4G-capable Nokia C12. The 3.5mm jack is also used for wired headphones. All of it is fine, but the presence of a microUSB connector for power and data displeases us.

In relation to it, the phone has a meager 5W charger and a 3,000mAh battery that provides “all-day battery life.”

Despite being inexpensive, the C12 is durable. The phone has a gripping polycarbonate body, but it also features toughened glass on the front to protect it from drops. And the rating is IP52 (protected against dust and dripping water). HMD has agreed to provide quarterly security upgrades for two years (no word on OS updates, but that is typical of Go Edition models).

Priced at €120 ($130/£105/10,500), the Nokia C12 has only one option (2/64GB). Following its first release in Germany and Austria, it will shortly become available in more markets.