UP
Our takeEditorialThe cheapest Android in the catalog at $19.99 — get it for someone who needs a phone that rings, not a smartphone that does everything.
Nokia
Nokia C100
3.5/10 UpPhone score
A simple 4G Android for $19.99 — calls, texts, and the cheapest path to a working smartphone.
Screen
5.45"
Chip
Helio A22
Camera
8 MP
The verdict, & two little voices
Should you actually get the Nokia C100?
The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
“At $19.99 it covers the basics for someone who has never had a smartphone and is not sure they want one yet.”
“The Moto G Play 2024 at $79 is four times the price and ten times the phone — a much longer-lived buy.”
Our take
A simple 4G Android for $19.99 — calls, texts, and the cheapest path to a working smartphone.
The Nokia C100 is a $19.99 prepaid Android, the kind of phone that exists for one job: getting someone connected at the lowest possible price. Straight Talk sells it for the cost of a couple of takeout meals. The spec sheet is a list of the basics. A 5.45-inch HD LCD at 60 Hz, a Helio A22 chip from 2018, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, an 8 MP rear camera, and Android 12 Go Edition. There is no 5G. Two-day battery life is genuinely there thanks to the modest 4000 mAh cell paired with a low-power chip. For a kid's first phone, a backup line, or someone who needs reliable calling and texting without a contract, the C100 covers the basics. For anyone who plans to use heavy apps, take photos that matter, or use it for more than two years, the math changes fast.
What we love
- 4000 mAh battery and an efficient chip deliver two-day life on light use. Android 12 Go Edition is lighter on the limited 3 GB RAM than full Android. At $19.99 outright on Straight Talk
- this is among the cheapest active Android phones in the catalog. The compact 5.45-inch screen is easy to use one-handed.
What we don't
- Helio A22 with 3 GB RAM is slow even for messaging and browsing — pages load haltingly and apps reload constantly. 32 GB storage fills up quickly with apps and updates. The 8 MP rear camera is fine for the occasional snapshot in good light and unusable in low light. No 5G
- no IP rating
- and the 5.45-inch HD LCD looks dated. Software support has effectively ended.
Full specifications
Display
Size5.45"
TypeIPS LCD
Resolution1440x720
Performance
ChipHelio A22
OSAndroid 12
Camera
Rear camera8 MP
Front camera5 MP
Frequently asked questions about the Nokia C100
What kind of display does the Nokia C100 have?
The 5.45-inch IPS LCD runs HD resolution at 60 Hz. Text is sharp enough up close, but the panel is dim and washes out outside. Touch response is fine. For checking messages, reading short text, and casual video, it does the job. For long reading sessions or any kind of detailed work, the resolution and brightness show their limits.
What kind of camera does the Nokia C100 have?
The single 8 MP rear sensor takes workable daylight shots — well-exposed in good light, fine for a quick snapshot to send. Low light is unusable; shots come out dark, grainy, and blurry. The 5 MP front camera handles video calls beyond that. There is no Night mode, no HDR worth using, and no second lens.
What is the battery life of the Nokia C100?
The 4000 mAh battery paired with the low-power Helio A22 chip delivers two-day life on the kind of use this phone is built for: calls, texts, the occasional web search. A heavy day still finishes one full day. Charging is slow — wired only, no fast-charging spec listed — and a full top-up takes most of a few hours.
What processor does the Nokia C100 use?
The MediaTek Helio A22 is an entry-level 4G chip from 2018, and it shows in 2026. Android 12 Go Edition is the right call here — it cuts memory pressure on the 3 GB RAM, and core apps still load. Web pages and social apps lag noticeably, gaming is mostly off the table, and switching between several apps causes noticeable reloads.
How much storage does the Nokia C100 have?
32 GB internal storage with microSD expansion. After Android and the basic apps, room for media and additional apps is tight. The microSD slot helps for photos and music, but app installs still go to internal storage and run out fast.
What kind of speakers does the Nokia C100 have?
Single bottom-firing speaker. Loud enough for speakerphone calls and basic video. Sound quality is thin with no real bass. Stereo is not part of this tier.
Does the Nokia C100 support fingerprint or face unlock?
No fingerprint sensor on the US C100 variant. Unlock options are PIN, pattern, password, or basic camera-based face unlock — convenient for casual use, not secure enough for banking apps.
Is the Nokia C100 water-resistant?
No IP rating and no formal water-repellent claim from Nokia. Treat this phone like any non-resistant device — keep it away from water.
