2017 saw the release of the Nokia C20 by HMD Global, an entry-level smartphone designed to meet the need of any customer irritated by paying for features they will rarely use. The critical element of the Nokia C20 worthy of detailed review is its SIM tray. Though probably the easiest part of a smartphone to take for granted, the SIM tray is a very important element in the life of end users especially if they do change SIM cards often or else if a user is operating with more than one carrier.
In this review, we will go into every aspect related to the Nokia C20 SIM tray with respect to its design, functionality, build quality, compatibility, ease of use, issues it might present, and feedback from users. By the end of this review, readers will be able to form informed opinions on how much the SIM tray affects Nokia C20 performance and if it is there to satisfy the needs of the target group.
Design and Build Quality
The Nokia C20 SIM tray design is typical in this age, with a dual slot tray that allows inserting two nano-SIM cards or one nano-SIM and one microSD. This hybrid design has somewhat become common in budget phones, giving the user the option of either double SIM or rather extra storage.
Manufactured out of plastic, this tray is quite standard, considering the price of this device. There may be enough durability in the tray if it were to undergo normal use; however, it may not be able to resist excessive pressure or rough handling from a determined person. The plastic material is light enough so that it does not contribute to any additional bulkiness for the device.
The tray is colored to match the Nokia C20 body color, available in Sand and Dark Blue. This attention to detail goes a long way in maintaining aesthetic consistency across the device. Edges of this tray are smooth and cleanly finished, suggesting that Nokia was very keen on ensuring that the tray is set with ease into the phone composition.
Implementation & User-Friendliness
A SIM tray is the central housing device for SIM cards, and in some instances, microSD cards are housed, offering users connectivity or an extension of storage capacity. With the Nokia C20, the tray carries out this function wonderfully, with the cards fitting well into the slots.
The SIM tray is easy to use. Taking the tray out gradually involves a short procedure: a SIM ejector tool is attached to the box; insert the tool into the small hole next to the SIM tray slot, and then the tray smoothly slides outward, allowing you to insert or remove the cards.
Once in place, the cards will never move inside the tray; therefore, they cannot be dislodged or lose contact with the internal connectors in the device. This is, of course, a measure that guarantees uninterrupted networking.
Yet, the hybrid aspect of the tray forces the users to choose between another SIM card and another microSD card to expand the storage. This limitation is worth noting for those users with use-cases requiring both dual SIM functionality and additional storage.
Compatibility
The Nokia C20 SIM tray supports nano-SIM cards-the most diminutive SIM card size available currently and the standard one used on implementations across a majority of nations and really in most cases.
The conceptually second option would be for this slot to be used for a microSD card, and the Nokia C20 will accept up to a 256GB microSD card. This is quite great because extra storage may be needed for applications, pictures, and media by the user, especially in light of the bot’s meager internal storage options.
SIM tray fits almost all nan0-SIM cards and microSD cards; however, it should be correctly inserted so that no dirt on the ground shall arise. Users should note that the use of any SIM adaptor, mainly those that convert a micro-SIM to a nano-SIM, could result in the jamming of the tray or the damaging of it, as some of these adaptors tend to be thicker or simply have rough edges on them.
Potential Issues and Common Problems
While the Nokia C20 SIM tray generally possesses good characteristics, there may be some potential issues to discuss. A very common complaint from users is the tray getting stuck and being hard to remove. This can happen if the tray is improperly aligned during re-insertion or gets pushed in with more force than necessary.
Align carefully when placing in the tray and gently push it back into the device to avoid this issue. Sometimes excessive force is applied to the tray, which results in it getting misaligned or broken, thereby making it impossible to remove without expert repair or replacement.
Some users may encounter issues with the device recognizing the inserted SIM cards or microSD cards. This issue may arise due to improper seating of the cards in the tray or contamination of the contacts with dust or any minute particles. Ensuring that the cards are clean and properly aligned before insertion will mostly prevent this issue.
Rarely, some users have reported that the material of the SIM tray slowly wears down, especially with frequent removals and re-insertions of the tray. While this is not a widespread problem, it is one to note, especially for people who change SIM or microSD cards quite often.
User Feedback and Reviews
Consumers, in general, have appreciated the Nokia C20 SIM tray, with most customers considering it very functional and easy to operate. The hybrid design is favored by those who appreciate either dual SIM functions or additional storage, even if some complain about having to choose between the two options.
Positive reviews usually comment about the tray fitting securely and being easier to insert and remove. They appreciate the inclusion of the SIM ejector tool, which makes the process simple and diminishes the chances of damaging the tray or the phone.
Yet, needed to be mentioned are those customers who had their trays stuck or difficult to remove. This kind of experience seems to say: “Although usually well made, there may be some glitches now and then, sometimes due to lack of quality control, or sometimes due to inconsistencies in the manufacturing process.”
By and large, user reviews suggest that while Nokia C20 SIM tray is functional and necessary for the device, it does have a few drawbacks. The drawbacks seem minor in nature and mostly can be avoided simply by careful handling and proper use.
Final Thoughts: SIM Tray and User Experience on the Nokia C20
In some ways, something as mundane as a SIM tray is highly underrated in most smartphones, the Nokia C20 included. Also, since they provide the connectivity and expansion possibilities of storage, they are truly of paramount importance concerning the user experience. The Nokia C20 SIM tray is quite flexible and easy to use, particularly from the standpoint of budget users, owing to its hybrid-type configuration.
While it is generally well made and can serve longer, it does indeed have its own hiccups. A few annoyances occur here and there, such as the SIM tray becoming stuck or cards being refused recognition, though such situations are rare and can usually be avoided through proper use.
In short, a Nokia C20 SIM tray does everything it is meant to do: It provides either dual SIM or expanded storage options to the user. From a Nokia C20 price point, the SIM tray is actually a dependable, utilitarian component, working toward the overall user experience. However, like any component on a smartphone, one must learn to treat the SIM tray with some bit of care, towards ensuring its longevity and consistent performance.
The next few sections of this review will focus on technical specifications, user scenarios, troubleshooting, and comparison with SIM trays in other devices of the same category. With an exhaustive analysis, the review intends to provide readers with all necessary information to make an informed decision concerning Nokia C20, especially when it comes to the SIM tray functionality.