Nokia C2-05 and X2-05

Available now
11th October 2011

The Nokia C2-05 and X2-05 are two cut-down versions of existing low-end Nokia handsets which are designed to be even more affordable than their counterparts.

Starting with the Nokia C2-05, this is a dual-band GSM slider phone with a 2" 240 x 320 pixel display and a VGA resolution (0.3 megapixel) camera on the back.

This is a Series 40 device with Nokia's new enhanced Nokia Browser which is designed for low-bandwidth devices such as this, and it also includes social networking applications and a fresh new visual design that looks a lot more modern.

There is an FM radio, media player and a microSD slot plus Bluetooth. The standard sales package includes a stereo wired headset but no memory card. Inside is an 860 mAh battery quoted as giving up to 4 hours talktime and 20 days standby time. The C2-05 is slated to cost €50 when it ships by the end of the year.

The difference between the C2-05 and the closely related C2-02 and C2-06 handsets is that the C2-05 has a much smaller screen (without touch support), a significantly downgraded camera and battery and it appears to be made out of less glossy materials. However, the C2-05 is a fair bit cheaper and lighter than its siblings, and that is the main selling point with this particular device.

The Nokia X2-05 is similarly a cut-down version of last year's X2-00 music phone. There's a 2.2" 240 x 320 pixel display, an FM radio, media player, microSD slot and Bluetooth plus the same Nokia Browser as found on the C2-05. In common with the C2-05, this is also a dual band GSM-only handset with a cheap VGA resolution (0.3 megapixel) camera on the back. It weighs 88 grams and the 800 mAh battery is quoted as giving up to 4 hours talktime and 25 days standby.

The differences between this phone and the original X2 are a very much downgraded camera (it was 5 megapixels on the original), and a very much smaller battery. The colour depth of the display has also been downgraded. However, at €46 before tax and subsidies it offers pretty good value.

To be blunt, the C2-05 and X2-05 are both unlovely devices with all the best bits of the X2-00 and C2-02 and -06 removed. If you're looking for a cheap phone we suspect that you can find something more interesting than these. Nokia say that the C2-05 and X2-05 will be available by the end of the year.