Nokia C300 review
The C300 suits someone buying their first phone on a very tight budget who will stick to one app at a time, value the large screen, and are okay with charging every evening. Anyone with moderate demands should stretch the budget slightly for a phone with at least 4GB of RAM and a 1080p screen.
This review is based on Nokia’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Nokia C300, 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 C300 is a bare-bones budget phone with a large screen and the essentials for calls, texts, and light browsing, but 3GB of RAM and a 2023-era mid-range chip make it struggle under any real load. At €60 it is cheap enough to overlook the dated specs, as long as you accept that multitasking and mobile games are off the table.
Design & build
The C300 is remarkably thin and light for 2023—190g and 8.6mm deep—and the glass-front-plastic-back construction gives it a bit more presence than pure plastic rivals. The 6.52-inch body sits comfortably in one hand, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is quicker than the rear alternatives you see at this price. IP52 splash and dust resistance is genuinely useful for a budget phone; it will handle a spilled drink or a sudden downpour without panic. Nothing here feels flimsy or cheap-out, which is the right tone for a phone aimed at first-time users or those in markets where €60 is serious money.
Display
The 6.52-inch, 720p IPS screen is the C300's strongest selling point. The size alone makes reading, messaging, and basic web browsing less of a strain than smaller budget phones. However, 269 ppi pixel density shows its age—text and icons look slightly fuzzy up close, and edges lack the sharpness of 1080p screens even at this size. The 60Hz refresh rate is standard for the era and price, but it does mean scrolling through a news feed or messages feels a touch sluggish compared to even mid-range rivals. The 400-nit brightness is adequate for indoor use and dull daylight, though bright sun will still wash out the image.
Performance
The Snapdragon 662 and 3GB of RAM were mainstream for budget phones in mid-2023, but they show it. Apps launch without serious delay, and light web browsing is fine. The moment you open a second or third app, or try to play anything beyond a casual puzzle game, the phone visibly strains—scrolling stutters, loading pauses, and response times slow. Gaming is off the table entirely; even older, lighter titles will choke. For calls, texts, email, and social media used one app at a time, this is adequate. Anything beyond that is a frustration you should see coming.
Software
Android 12 was current when the phone launched in June 2023 and is now two generations old. There is no guarantee of meaningful security updates or OS upgrades after this point, which is typical for budget devices at this price. The phone comes with bloatware—nothing egregious, but enough to fill up 32GB quickly alongside a few apps and photos of your own.
Camera
The 13MP main sensor with a 2MP macro auxiliary is a 2020-era budget setup. Photos in daylight are acceptable for social media—colors are decent, focus is reliable thanks to autofocus, and the LED flash prevents total darkness from being a complete disaster. Low-light performance is grainy and dull, and the macro lens is gimmickry that rarely produces anything sharper than the main camera. The 8MP selfie is adequate for video calls. 1080p video at 30fps is fine for casual clips, but the bitrate is low so motion blur is noticeable.
Battery & charging
The 4000mAh battery is modest by today's standards and delivers about a full day of light to moderate use—WiFi browsing, messaging, some social media, a few calls. Heavy use (video streaming, maps navigation, lots of calls) will drain it by evening. The spec sheet does not list a charger wattage, which is telling; at this price tier it is likely 5W to 10W, meaning a full recharge will take 3 to 4 hours. Fast charging is not a feature budget phones at €60 offer.
Value & verdict
The C300 is squarely aimed at users in emerging markets where €60 buys a reliable device for basics. For that purpose—calls, texts, email, light browsing, FM radio—it works. The large screen, dedicated microSD slot, and IP52 rating give it more thoughtful features than typical cheap phones. However, the 3GB RAM ceiling and dated chipset mean it will not keep pace if your needs grow, and the 720p display shows its age next to any 1080p phone, even at budget prices. If you are shopping blind, the realistic rival is not a flagship but a previous-year mid-ranger that now costs less and offers double the RAM and a sharper screen. The C300 makes sense only if you are new to smartphones, heavy on data conservation (light use, local storage), or in a market where it is genuinely the cheapest phone available. In most cases, waiting three months for last year's model to drop in price is a smarter call.
Verdict
The C300 suits someone buying their first phone on a very tight budget who will stick to one app at a time, value the large screen, and are okay with charging every evening. Anyone with moderate demands should stretch the budget slightly for a phone with at least 4GB of RAM and a 1080p screen.
- Practical 6.52-inch screen large enough for reading and browsing without strain
- Dedicated microSD slot means storage can actually expand—a rarity at this price
- Light and thin (190g, 8.6mm) with a side fingerprint sensor for convenience
- IP52 rating handles light dust and splashes, rare for the budget tier
- Only 3GB of RAM makes switching between more than 2 or 3 apps noticeably choppy
- 270ppi display density looks soft at normal viewing distance; scrolling is stuck at 60Hz
- 4000mAh battery barely lasts a full day under moderate use
Nokia C300 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, June 02 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP |
| Battery | 4000 mAh |
| Software | Android 12 |
| Dimensions | 166.7 x 76.6 x 8.6 mm (6.56 x 3.02 x 0.34 in) |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 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 C300 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the C300 support 5G?
No. The C300 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the C300 use?
The C300 runs on the Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm).
What display does the C300 have?
A 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ), 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density).
How big is the C300 battery?
The C300 has a 4000 mAh battery.
Does the C300 have NFC?
No, the C300 does not list NFC support.
Is the C300 water resistant?
The C300 carries a Splash and dust resistant rating.
Does the C300 support a microSD card?
Yes, the C300 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
