The Nokia C32 price in Kenya is Ksh 18,000. Nokia C32 Android Smartphone was launched in March 2023 running on the Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm) processor with IMG8322 GPU. The phone has 3 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal storage which is expandable using microSDXC. The Nokia C32 has a 6.5 inches, 720 x 1600 pixels IPS display with a pixel density of 270 ppi. Coming to cameras, it has a 50 MP rear camera and a 2 MP front camera for selfies. It has a USB Type-C port for data syncing and charging. There is a fingerprint sensor on the Nokia C32, along with a magnetic field sensor (compass), proximity sensor and accelerometer sensor. It is a dual SIM smartphone with support for 4G LTE, FM Radio and Bluetooth too. The Nokia C22 runs on Android 13 and all this is powered by a 5000 mAh battery.
Nokia C32 specs
BASIC INFO
Brand
Nokia
Model
C32
Status
Available
Release Date
2023, February
BODY
Dimensions
164.6 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
Weight
199.4 g (7.02 oz)
Colors
Charcoal, Autumn Green, Beach Pink
Body Material
Glass front, glass back, plastic frame
SIMs
Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Nokia’s latest budget-friendly phone certainly lives up to its name. While the Finland tech giant, known for its iconic ringtone, offers cheaper models, the Nokia C32 stands out. Sporting a 6.5-inch IPS display, an octa-core chipset, and a 50MP main camera that appears more high-end than its price suggests, this phone offers quite a package. However, things take a different turn when you power it on. The startup times can be a bit lengthy, and the phone’s overall performance feels sluggish. Nonetheless, considering its affordable price tag, these issues are somewhat forgivable. The Nokia C32 primarily caters to those who use their phones for basic tasks like calls and emails.
Design & Build: Uncomplicated yet Practical
Nokia sticks to the tried-and-true design of a black rectangular phone with rounded corners and side-mounted buttons, and rightfully so. The C32’s design is rather unremarkable, but it does come with a clever feature—the fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, a more convenient location compared to under the screen. The reader also proves to be consistently responsive. My review unit features a green back (though pink and grey variants are also available) with a compact grey camera bump. Nokia has retained the headphone jack at the top of the phone, a feature many users still appreciate. The phone’s build combines toughened glass on the front and back, eschewing Gorilla Glass. The sides are made of plastic, which, surprisingly, enhances grip and makes it less prone to slipping. Its construction lends it a lightweight and ergonomic feel.
Screen & Speakers: Adequate, But Not Outstanding
In an era where 1080p screens are the norm, the Nokia C32’s 720×1600 resolution may feel like a step backward. Comparable phones like the Realme C35 offer Full HD displays at a slightly higher price point. Nevertheless, the C32’s screen generally gets the job done. You won’t be bothered by low-resolution icons on the home screen, but don’t expect the best possible experience when streaming 1080p videos. The screen performs decently in most lighting conditions, with sunlight visibility being its biggest challenge due to its reflectivity. A single speaker grille at the bottom of the phone follows the tradition of phone speakers—suitable for calls but underwhelming for other audio needs. To fully enjoy media, investing in a pair of high-quality wireless or wired headphones (thanks to the headphone port) is advisable.
Specs & Performance: Modest Hardware for Basic Use
At the heart of the Nokia C32 lies an octa-core Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM. It boasts a virtual RAM feature, borrowing an extra 3GB from the phone’s 64GB storage. The CPU consists of eight Arm Cortex A55 cores, with four clocked at 1.6GHz and four at 1.2GHz. While it capably runs the Android 13 operating system that ships with the phone, don’t expect top-tier performance. If you’re accustomed to modern flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 7, you’ll notice significant delays in app openings. Typing delays, where the keyboard takes a moment to appear, are also noticeable. Setting up Google Photos and certain tasks, such as starting the phone, can be time-consuming. However, once in the image editing interface, changes to brightness and white balance are promptly reflected in the preview. On the bright side, the Nokia C32 provides a microSD card slot, a feature often missed in modern phones. It supports cards of up to 256GB, and the inclusion of an FM radio adds an extra layer of functionality.
Cameras: A Mixed Bag
The primary 50MP rear camera is accompanied by a 2MP macro lens, lacking the more versatile ultrawide option. However, the 12.5MP photos produced by the wide-angle snapper are surprisingly good. These photos capture impressive details, even capturing fine details like the hairs on the stems of plants. However, there is some overexposure in white petals due to bright sunlight. Surprisingly, even direct shots into the sun yield decent results. However, the camera’s true test comes in low-light conditions. Nokia promotes the phone’s low-light capabilities, but the night mode tends to be slow, resulting in blurred images due to subject or camera movement. Normal mode photos in low light tend to appear washed out. Despite labeling it as an ‘AI camera,’ the phone’s intelligence mainly seems limited to face recognition and auto HDR. The rear camera offers a 2x digital zoom and the option to switch between 720p and 1080p video recording. Unfortunately, there are no alternative frame rate options. On the front, you’ll find an 8MP selfie camera. The camera app cleverly switches the otherwise dark interface to white in low-light conditions, injecting more light into the image. While suitable for video calls, full-resolution stills from the front camera lack the vibrancy of those from the primary rear camera. As light diminishes, video quality also suffers.
Battery Life & Charging: Decent Stamina with Slow Charging
The Nokia C32 houses a sizable 5000mAh battery, with the company claiming up to three days of battery life. Achieving this requires minimal usage, as actual use will significantly reduce the battery lifespan. However, the battery drain is relatively gradual. Running CPU and GPU benchmark tests reduced the battery by only about 25%, and moderate use for streaming, social media, photos, and texting can easily provide a day and a half of usage. In our battery test, which simulates constant screen usage, the phone lasted for ten hours, indicating even longer battery life with intermittent use. Charging the C32 is not as swift as other phones, supporting only 10W wired charging, which replenishes around 16% in half an hour. Unfortunately, there’s no support for wireless charging, necessitating a USB-C connection to a wall socket.
Software & Apps: A Refreshing Lack of Bloatware
Happily, Nokia has refrained from inundating the phone’s 64GB internal storage with unwanted bloatware. Aside from a few easily removable apps like Netflix and LinkedIn, the operating system remains relatively untouched. This approach works to the phone’s advantage, as an excessive custom skin would have likely exacerbated its performance issues. Despite some noticeable delays when opening apps, essential tasks like accessing the app drawer or the switcher run at a reasonable speed.
Verdict: A Solid Budget Option
In conclusion, the Nokia C32’s price point forgives many of its shortcomings. It serves as an excellent choice for first-time smartphone users or those seeking a device primarily for calls, photos, and messaging. The absence of NFC, 5G, and the latest Wi-Fi technology, along with the lower screen resolution, are unlikely to deter its target audience. Priced at KSh 16,500, the C32 offers a well-constructed phone with decent cameras and remarkable battery life. It is not a device for power users, gamers, or photography enthusiasts but represents an excellent option for those with more modest smartphone needs. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, options like the Realme C35 or Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 provide better overall performance and features. However, for those on a strict budget, the Nokia C32 remains a respectable choice. Buy more Nokia smartphones in Kenya
There are no reviews yet.