The Nokia C300 has appeared on the Geekbench 5 benchmark list, signaling that HMD Global is preparing a budget smartphone that aims to deliver solid everyday performance without the premium price tag. The listing, reported by GizmoChina, hints that the device will rely on an aging yet dependable processor, the Snapdragon 662, as its core engine. This choice places the Nokia C300 squarely in the affordable segment, appealing to users who want reliable software and decent multitasking capabilities without breaking the bank on hardware.
The Nokia C300 first surfaced in Geekbench 5 tests on April 19, 2023. In that early benchmark run, the phone achieved a single-core score of 306 and a multi-core score of 1164, which gives a sense of its performance envelope in typical daily tasks like web browsing, messaging, media consumption, and light gaming. The test also disclosed that the model under evaluation would ship with 3 GB of RAM, an amount that corresponds to many entry to mid-range devices in this price tier. This RAM configuration is enough to handle everyday app switching and multitasking, though it may show limitations with more demanding modern titles or heavy multitasking scenarios. The Geekbench results serve as an early indicator of the C300’s capabilities and help set expectations for consumers who are prioritizing cost efficiency alongside reasonable responsiveness.
Snapdragon 662, launched by Qualcomm in early 2020, is an entry-level processor designed to balance power efficiency with practical performance for everyday apps. It features eight cores arranged in two clusters: a higher-performance cluster and a more energy-efficient cluster. Clock speeds reach up to 2.02 GHz on the primary cluster, with the efficiency-focused cluster operating up to 1.8 GHz. This configuration supports smooth day-to-day tasks, such as social media, video streaming, navigation, and light productivity apps, while preserving battery life for longer usage between charges. While the 662 is not a flagship chip, it remains a common choice for budget devices that aim to deliver reliable Android experiences without premium power consumption or higher costs.
The release timing for the Nokia C300 remains unspecified, and there is no official on-sale date yet. Market observers anticipate a budget positioning, with price estimates around $100 to $150. If these projections hold, the C300 would align with competitive offerings in many markets, including parts of North America and Europe, where consumers frequently weigh upfront price against ongoing costs and software longevity. The price range noted is aligned with the typical strategy of HMD Global to provide affordable access to Nokia branding, straightforward software experiences, and reliable hardware durability for everyday users. The timing and exact regional availability may shift as production planning and carrier partnerships are finalized, but the groundwork suggests a practical, value-focused device rather than a feature-heavy flagship.
Historically, Nokia’s budget lines have emphasized durability, clean software experiences, and timely updates, though some models have lagged behind the latest mid-range processors. The C300, with its Snapdragon 662 core and a modest memory option, seems designed to meet the needs of buyers who want a dependable phone without a premium price. As with many budget smartphones, buyers may notice trade-offs in areas such as camera versatility, display brightness under direct sunlight, and advanced gaming performance, yet they can also expect a balanced combination of reliability, simplicity, and flagship-like endurance from a trusted brand. This mix of factors helps explain why the C300 is attracting attention in price-conscious regions where consumers compare total cost of ownership, including data plans, accessories, and potential trade-ins, against feature set and brand trust. In this context, the Nokia C300 appears as a cautious yet pragmatic choice for first-time smartphone buyers, students, or anyone seeking a spare device that reliably handles daily duties without the encumbrance of a steep price tag.