Nokia C110 review
This phone makes sense for someone who makes calls, sends texts, and browses light content on a strict €100 budget and has no issue charging every evening and squinting at a softer screen. Anyone with a slightly more flexible budget or who actually uses their phone for several hours between charges should look at a newer entry-level model with a bigger battery and faster charging.
This review is based on Nokia’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Nokia C110, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Nokia C110 is a bare-bones budget phone that does the essentials—calls, texts, light browsing—without frills or speed. At €100, it delivers on the promise of affordable connectivity, but its weak battery, glacial charging, and soft display make it feel like a compromise even at this price.
Design and build
At 172g and 8.5mm, the C110 is genuinely slim and light. Glass front, plastic back and frame is the formula of phones a tier or two above its price, so expectations for durability should be modest. Splash and dust resistance is a nice safety net for accidental spills, but this is not a waterproof phone and the thin plastic rear will not forgive drops. For a 2023 release in this segment, the build feels functional rather than robust.
Display
The 6.3-inch IPS LCD maxes out at 400 nits, which is adequate indoors and acceptable in moderate daylight, but the 720p resolution at 273 ppi leaves edges visibly softer than the 1080p phones increasingly common at similar prices. Text is readable and colours are stable, but there is no escaping the fact that you are looking at a dated panel. The 19.5:9 ratio makes good use of the frame, and the 81.9% screen-to-body ratio is respectable.
Performance
The MediaTek Helio P22 is entry-level silicon: four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and four at 1.5 GHz paired with 3GB RAM handles everyday tasks—messaging, calls, light browsing, basic social media—without drama. Heavy games, video editing, or running a dozen apps in the background will expose its limits; expect stutters and slowdown. By 2023 standards, this combination was already modest, and it has not aged well. Real-world multitasking is sluggish.
Software
Android 12 launched in late 2021, so arriving here in mid-2023 the C110 ships with a version that was already a generation behind. Security patches and OS updates are a legitimate question mark on a budget Nokia; the company's track record on long-term software support is patchy. You get the basics—file manager, calculator, FM radio, decent default apps—but do not expect three or four years of major updates.
Camera
The 13MP main sensor with autofocus and LED flash captures daylight photos competently and handles casual video at 1080p@30fps. That said, 1080p video in 2023 feels dated, especially when competitors are pushing 4K or at least higher frame rates. Low-light detail is thin, and the 5MP selfie camera is strictly functional. This is not a phone you buy for photography; it is a phone that does it adequately when needed.
Battery and charging
3000mAh is tight for a 6.3-inch display, even at 720p. Real-world use yields approximately 4 to 5 hours of screen time with average consumption, meaning a full day is unlikely unless you barely touch the phone. The 5W charger is the real culprit here: expect 120 to 150 minutes from empty to full, which is painfully slow. Modern budget rivals at this price point have moved to 10W, 18W, or even faster, making the C110 feel sluggish to recharge.
Value and verdict
At €100, the C110 undercuts many rivals and makes price the primary appeal. The dedicated microSDXC slot and headphone jack are genuine wins for users in regions where these features still matter. But the combination of weak battery life, glacial charging, and low-res screen adds up to constant friction in daily use. You are not getting a bad phone; you are getting a phone that works but demands patience and regular charging breaks. A buyer willing to spend an extra €30–40 would likely find a noticeably better experience with a phone one step up the ladder.
Verdict
This phone makes sense for someone who makes calls, sends texts, and browses light content on a strict €100 budget and has no issue charging every evening and squinting at a softer screen. Anyone with a slightly more flexible budget or who actually uses their phone for several hours between charges should look at a newer entry-level model with a bigger battery and faster charging.
- Dedicated microSDXC slot for expandable storage; rare at this price and useful given the tight 32GB base
- 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio—genuinely helpful in markets where these matter
- Lightweight at 172g and thin at 8.5mm, making it pocketable without bulk
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, keeping radio standards current enough for the year
- 5W charging is painfully slow even by budget standards—expect 2+ hours from empty, slower than most rivals at this price now hit 10–18W
- 3000mAh battery with 720p LCD yields roughly 4–5 hours screen-on time; you will charge every evening
- 720p display at 273 ppi looks soft compared to 1080p screens becoming standard even at €100
Nokia C110 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, June 02 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~273 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, (wide), AF |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP |
| Battery | 3000 mAh |
| Charging | 5W wired |
| Software | Android 12 |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 74 x 8.5 mm (6.33 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Durability | Splash and dust resistant |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Nokia C110 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the C110 support 5G?
No. The C110 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the C110 use?
The C110 runs on the Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm).
What display does the C110 have?
A 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ), 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~273 ppi density).
How big is the C110 battery?
The C110 has a 3000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 5W wired.
Does the C110 have NFC?
No, the C110 does not list NFC support.
Is the C110 water resistant?
The C110 carries a Splash and dust resistant rating.
Does the C110 support a microSD card?
Yes, the C110 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Does the C110 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the C110 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the C110 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
C12
C22 Dual SIM
C32 Dual SIM
C12 Pro
Galaxy XCover 7
