Nokia C12 Pro review
This phone suits first-time users and people in markets where a removable battery and broad LTE support are valuable, or anyone willing to accept slow performance and glacial charging in exchange for extreme affordability. Anyone else—including most users in regions with reliable power and modern phone shops—should spend a bit more for a 2023 or 2024 phone with a faster chip, quicker charging, and a modern screen.
This review is based on Nokia’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Nokia C12 Pro, 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 C12 Pro is a stripped-down budget phone that does the essentials—calls, texts, light browsing—without pretense, and at 80 euros it's honest value for someone in a region where 3G/4G and a removable battery matter. But the screen is dim and soft, the camera is basic, and 10W charging is painfully slow by 2023 standards, making it feel more like a phone from three years earlier.
Design & Build
The C12 Pro is plain and light. At 177g and 8.8mm thin, it sits comfortably in the hand, and the plastic back with a glass front keeps weight down. Splash resistance is useful for accidental spills, though there's no IP rating to promise submersion safety. The removable battery is the standout here—a rarity in 2023, and valuable in regions where phone repair shops are rare or expensive. Nano-SIM dual-slot support and the 3.5mm jack with FM radio are practical touches that show this phone targets markets where those features still matter. It is not sleek or ambitious, but it is honest about what it is.
Display
The 6.3-inch IPS LCD runs at 720 x 1600 pixels, yielding 278 ppi—legible at arm's length but noticeably softer than the 1080p phones its size class has moved toward. Text is readable, and colours are accurate for an IPS panel, but fine detail suffers. The spec sheet does not list brightness, which is a yellow flag; budget LCDs often struggle outdoors. At this resolution and size, the 80.3% screen-to-body ratio is decent, but the phone feels less modern than a rival with a tighter bezel and sharper pixels. It is adequate for messages and casual browsing, not much more.
Performance
The Unisoc SC9863A is an entry-level octa-core from 2022, and it shows. With 2GB RAM it will noticeably lag when you open multiple apps; even with 4GB the phone feels sluggish switching between browser tabs and messengers. Calls and texts are handled without complaint, and light web browsing works, but heavier tasks—offline maps, older mobile games, heavy social media use—expose its limits. This was budget-tier even at launch. For someone who texts, calls, and checks the news, it is fine. For anyone else, expect frustration within months of heavy use.
Camera
The 8MP main sensor with autofocus and LED flash takes adequate daytime snapshots and can scan documents or social media photos without obvious flaw. But the lack of ultra-wide, telephoto, or macro modes limits versatility, and the sensor's age means low-light shots are noisy and dim. The 5MP selfie is sufficient for video calls at 720p but adds little beyond that. By 2023, even a 150-euro phone came with a 12MP or 13MP main camera; the C12 Pro feels like it skipped a generation. It will not disappoint someone who rarely takes photos, but anyone who wants decent image quality should shop elsewhere.
Battery & Charging
The 4000mAh removable battery should last a day with light use—calls, texts, casual browsing on WiFi—but drain it faster with video, maps, or gaming. The real pain point is the 10W charger, which takes 2+ hours to refill from empty. By 2023, 18W and 30W had become standard at this price, so the C12 Pro feels glacially slow. The removable battery does offer a workaround: buy a spare and swap it when the phone dies, avoiding the charger altogether. In markets where that is practical, it is a real advantage. Everywhere else, the slow charging is a genuine frustration.
Software & Connectivity
Android 12 (Go edition) is a lean version of Android optimized for low-memory phones, and it runs cleanly on 2GB or 3GB RAM without heavy bloat. Updates beyond the initial release are not guaranteed, and Go edition limits app choice compared to full Android, but for basic tasks it works. The phone supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE across most global bands, making it versatile for travellers and users in regions with patchy 4G. Wi-Fi 5.2, Bluetooth 5.2, and GPS are standard; there is no NFC or 5G, which is expected at this price. MicroUSB 2.0 feels dated but keeps charging and data transfer compatible with older cables in markets where new USB-C ones are hard to find.
Value & Verdict
At 80 euros, the C12 Pro undercuts most rivals and delivers what it promises: a phone that handles calls, texts, and light web work without stalling. The removable battery and 3.5mm jack appeal to users in regions where those are still valued, and the light weight and dual SIM make it portable and flexible. But the 10W charging, soft 720p screen, weak camera, and underpowered processor put it at the slow end of even the budget tier. It is designed for someone who checks email, sends messages, and makes calls—not for anyone expecting a modern user experience. A buyer in a region with unreliable grid power and high repair costs will find the removable battery alone justifies the price. Others will feel the age of the hardware within weeks.
Verdict
This phone suits first-time users and people in markets where a removable battery and broad LTE support are valuable, or anyone willing to accept slow performance and glacial charging in exchange for extreme affordability. Anyone else—including most users in regions with reliable power and modern phone shops—should spend a bit more for a 2023 or 2024 phone with a faster chip, quicker charging, and a modern screen.
- Removable battery—a real benefit in markets where charging infrastructure is unreliable or repair costs are high
- Splash resistance and 3.5mm jack with FM radio keep practical features older phones had
- Dual SIM and broad LTE band support suit users who need regional connectivity or work across borders
- Light weight at 177g and 8.8mm thickness makes it easy to pocket and carry all day
- 10W charging takes 2+ hours from empty—slow even for a budget phone in 2023, when most rivals offer 18W or faster
- 6.3-inch screen at 278 ppi feels soft and loses detail next to 1080p phones, and no brightness specs suggest it may not be outdoor-friendly
- Unisoc SC9863A and 2–4GB RAM struggle with multitasking and older games; everyday tasks like switching apps are noticeably slower than phones with even a mid-tier chipset
Nokia C12 Pro Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, March 21 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main camera | 8 MP, AF |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP |
| Battery | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Software | Android 12 (Go edition) |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 177.4 g (6.24 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Durability | Splash resistant |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
Nokia C12 Pro FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the C12 Pro support 5G?
No. The C12 Pro tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the C12 Pro use?
The C12 Pro runs on the Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm).
What display does the C12 Pro have?
A 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density).
How big is the C12 Pro battery?
The C12 Pro has a 4000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 10W wired.
Does the C12 Pro have NFC?
No, the C12 Pro does not list NFC support.
Is the C12 Pro water resistant?
The C12 Pro carries a Splash resistant rating.
Does the C12 Pro support a microSD card?
Yes, the C12 Pro supports expandable storage (Unspecified).
Does the C12 Pro have a headphone jack?
Yes, the C12 Pro has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the C12 Pro isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
C12
C110
C32
C300
Galaxy XCover 7
