by In a market saturated with mid-range and high-end smartphones, Nokia continues to cater to budget-conscious users with solid, reliable, and user-friendly devices. One such offering is the Nokia C31, a smartphone that focuses on essential features, long battery life, and durability—all wrapped in an affordable package. While it may not compete with flagship devices in terms of raw power or innovation, the Nokia C31 stands out for what it offers in its price range.
Designed by HMD Global, the Nokia C31 carries forward the brand’s reputation for simplicity and longevity. It’s an ideal phone for first-time smartphone users, students, senior citizens, or anyone looking for a dependable secondary device.
Sturdy Design and Large Display
The Nokia C31 features a minimalist yet sturdy build, constructed with durable polycarbonate that gives it a reassuring feel in the hand. It’s not flashy, but it has a clean design that reflects Nokia’s traditional aesthetic—simple, functional, and solid.
The phone boasts a 6.75-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. While not Full HD, the screen provides decent clarity for everyday use such as watching videos, browsing, and social media. The large screen size is particularly useful for users who enjoy media consumption or need bigger text for readability.
Despite its budget status, the display is vibrant and usable under most lighting conditions, though visibility in direct sunlight may require brightness adjustment. The waterdrop-style notch houses the front camera, keeping the screen design clean and unobtrusive.
Performance: Basic but Sufficient
Under the hood, the Nokia C31 is powered by the Unisoc SC9863A1 octa-core processor, paired with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM, depending on the variant. It runs Android 12 (Go Edition), a lightweight version of Android optimized for entry-level devices. This ensures smoother performance for day-to-day tasks such as calling, texting, using social media apps, and basic gaming.
While it’s not built for heavy multitasking or demanding 3D games, the phone handles casual use quite well. Thanks to Android Go, apps load relatively fast and the interface remains responsive for a device in its class.
For storage, users can choose between 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB, with support for microSD expansion up to 256GB, giving ample room for photos, apps, and files.
Camera Setup: Simple and Functional
The camera system on the Nokia C31 is modest but capable for casual photography. On the back, it features a triple-camera setup: a 13MP main sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. This setup provides enough versatility for basic shots, portraits with background blur, and close-up photos.
The 13MP main sensor captures decent images in good lighting conditions, though low-light performance is limited. Nokia’s camera app is easy to use, making it suitable for users who aren’t familiar with advanced photography settings.
On the front, the 5MP selfie camera supports basic selfies and video calls. It also includes AI beautification features for those who like a bit of enhancement in their photos.
Battery Life: A Key Highlight
One of the standout features of the Nokia C31 is its massive 5,050mAh battery, which can easily last two to three days on a single charge with moderate use. This makes it ideal for users who don’t want to worry about daily charging.
Even with regular video streaming, social media use, and some light gaming, the battery performance holds up remarkably well. It supports 10W charging via a micro-USB port—while slower than today’s fast-charging standards, it’s acceptable for this price bracket.
Software and Updates
Running Android 12 Go Edition, the Nokia C31 benefits from a clean, bloatware-free interface. Go Edition apps like Google Go, YouTube Go, and Gmail Go are optimized for smoother performance and take up less storage space.
Nokia also promises two years of quarterly security updates, maintaining its commitment to security and stability, even for its budget lineup.
Other Features
The Nokia C31 includes a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and AI face unlock, both of which offer convenient and secure unlocking methods. Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, and GPS. It also retains the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack, a welcome feature for users who still prefer wired audio.
The phone is IP52-rated for dust and splash resistance, which adds an extra layer of durability—something not often seen in entry-level devices.
Final Thoughts: A Budget Champion
The Nokia C31 may not turn heads with flashy specs or premium materials, but it delivers where it matters most—reliability, battery life, and ease of use. It’s a smartphone that does the basics well and caters to users who need a functional device without spending a fortune.
Whether you’re a student, a senior, or someone seeking a dependable secondary phone, the Nokia C31 is a smart choice. With its large display, stock Android experience, and excellent battery life, it proves that good smartphones don’t have to be expensive.
