With Vietnam’s upcoming 2G network shutdown in September 2024, many are rushing to find affordable 4G-capable feature phones to ensure uninterrupted communication. In this context, Nokia – a brand that has built a solid reputation in Vietnam over decades – has become a top choice.
Although the Nokia brand is now operated by HMD Global, its feature phones still hold a dominant market share of about 70% in Vietnam, according to preliminary statistics from several retailers.
The Nokia 105 4G Pro is the brand’s most affordable 4G-capable feature phone currently available. According to various retailers, the Nokia 105 4G Pro is priced at 680,000 VND. This is about 30-40% more expensive than less popular brands like Masstel and Mobell.
Hardware Overview
When unboxing the Nokia 105 4G Pro, users will find only the device and a standard microUSB charger. This is typical for feature phones, which prioritize simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
The Nokia 105 4G Pro is made entirely of plastic and features a compact, lightweight design (90g) with a curved back and a textured finish for a comfortable grip. It fits easily in pockets, making it ideal for those who need a secondary device. The phone comes in two color options: black and blue, with the black version being used for this review.
The Nokia 105 4G Pro has a removable back cover, allowing easy access to the battery, SIM, and microSD card slots. Inside, the device houses a BL-L5H 1450mAh battery, two nano-SIM card slots, and a microSD card slot supporting up to 32GB of additional storage for music and other basic data.
The phone features an 1.8-inch IPS display; however, due to its small size, low resolution (120×160 pixels), and low brightness, the text appears small and blurry. Elderly users will likely need glasses to read the screen comfortably.
The keypad offers a pleasant typing experience with soft plastic keys that have good responsiveness and provide a satisfying click. Unfortunately, the central “OK” key on the four-way D-pad is a bit small, making it easy to accidentally press one of the surrounding directional keys.
The Nokia 105 4G Pro features a microUSB charging port with a one-way design. This port is not as user-friendly as USB-C or the classic Nokia “pin charger,” as it cannot be inserted either way. Users upgrading from older Nokia phones should be cautious to avoid inserting the microUSB connector the wrong way and damaging the port.
The device does not have a camera but includes a low-power flashlight that can be useful in emergencies. For those who require a camera, the Nokia 110 4G Pro is available for 720,000 VND, a slight increase of 40,000 VND. However, the camera on these basic phones is not very practical for everyday use.
In addition to the 3.5mm headphone jack, the Nokia 105 4G Pro surprisingly supports Bluetooth, allowing wireless headphone connectivity. In our tests, the device successfully paired with Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro TWS earbuds without any issues.
In terms of performance, the Nokia 105 4G Pro is powered by a Unisoc T107 chipset, 48MB of RAM, and 128MB of internal storage. However, for a basic phone like this, specifications are not a major concern, as most users will primarily use it for calling and messaging.
Feature Evaluation
The Nokia 105 4G Pro focuses on essential features, mainly calling and messaging. It supports 4G and VoLTE, ensuring clear and crisp call quality. However, in our tests, the audio from the other end sounded slightly harsh and unnatural, but for everyday communication, this is not a significant issue.
The phone comes with the Opera Mini browser, allowing users to access Facebook and browse the web. However, due to the small screen size, limited hardware, and basic browser, the web browsing experience is far from ideal. It is more of a symbolic feature than a practical one.
A more practical entertainment feature is the built-in MP3 player. Although the audio quality is not exceptional, it is a useful feature for a budget device. As mentioned, users can connect wired or wireless headphones and copy music to the microSD card.
Additionally, the phone includes a wireless FM radio, allowing users to listen to the radio without headphones. However, for the best experience, using wired headphones is still recommended.
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