Nokia 225 4G review: a retro mobile phone at a super low price

The feature phone market continues to thrive despite the rise of the smartphone. The Nokia 225 4G is a popular choice in this category, offering essential communication features without the distractions of a modern smartphone. In that light, it could be a good option if you're considering a digital detox, need a secondary emergency phone, or simply want a cheap option for basic calling and texting.

The Nokia brand has long had a reputation for reliable, no-nonsense phones, and the 225 4G continues this tradition, providing 4G connectivity at the lowest possible price point. That makes it a good choice for users seeking simplicity, reliability and affordability.

In my testing, I found the Nokia 225 4G to be precisely what it claims to be: a basic communication device with a few extra frills. Its classic design evokes nostalgia for the pre-smartphone era, and its straightforward interface makes it accessible to people who find touchscreen technology difficult to use.

Please note, that here I've reviewed the 2020 version of the Nokia 225 4G, which is the one you're most likely to find on retail websites and in phone shops. There's also a newer 2024 version, which is more expensive. The main differences are a bigger battery (1450Mah to 1150 mAh) and a USB-C port rather than a micro-USB port in the 2020 iteration.

Nokia 110 4G: Specifications

Nokia 225 4G: Pricing and availability

The Nokia 225 4G retails for around $59.99 in the US, £35 in the UK, and AU$110 in Australia. This makes it one of the most affordable 4G feature phones on the market, and offers good value for those wanting voice calls, texting and basic internet connectivity.

At the same, spending a bit more might get you significantly more functionality. Yet for some people (ie those seeking to avoid distraction), less functionality might actually preferable, so 'value' is really in the eye of the beholder here.

Nokia 225 4G: Build and handling

The Nokia 225 4G has a plastic build that feels light in the hand, almost like you've picked up the dummy version from the shop shelf rather than the real thing. To be precise, it weighs a tiny 90.1g, which is a huge amount lighter than, say, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 227g.

The phone's compact dimensions (124.7 x 51 x 13.7mm) make it significantly smaller than most modern smartphones, which I also found refreshing after years of increasingly large devices.

For anyone who used a phone in the early 2000s, this device's retro design will feel instantly familiar, with its traditional T9 keypad and navigation buttons offering satisfying tactile feedback. Its 2.4-inch display is tiny by modern standards but bigger than, for example, the 1.8-inch on the Nokia 110 4G, and it's all you really need for the phone's limited functions. I found it a bit difficult to read in direct sunlight on occasions, but it's fine in most conditions.

One thing that's slightly irritating is the lack of a hardware volume rocker, requiring you to adjust volume during calls. On the whole, though, the keypad is well-spaced and comfortable to use, as long as you're used to old-style T9 keyboards. (I found it was like riding a bike, although youngsters who grew up with smartphones and have never used a T9 may well be baffled.)

Pleasingly, the removable back panel gives access to the replaceable battery, SIM slots and microSD card slot; a feature increasingly rare in modern phones. I loved the fact that it was easy to remove: just pop the bottom of the panel with your fingernail, no tools needed.

There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack, which you can use to listen to MP3s and the in-built FM radio, though actually the built-in speaker is quite loud for such a small device, so I didn't always need to.

Nokia 225 4G: Performance

I found the call quality on the Nokia 225 4G to be good, with clear audio and a decent level of volume. The phone supports HD Voice on compatible networks, which noticeably improves call clarity. During my testing, I experienced no dropped calls or connection issues.

Battery life is excellent, with the 1150mAh battery offering over six hours of talk time and several days of standby. This is significantly better than most smartphones, but less than some older feature phones due to the power demands of 4G VoLTE calling, so there's a compromise to be made there.

In terms of basic features, the Nokia 225 4G performs… okay. The web browser is functional but frustrating to use with the small screen and T9 keypad. The included games, including the classic Snake, are fun but very basic, and mainly seemed designed to induce nostalgia for simpler times. The music player and FM radio work well, though as you'd expect, audio quality through the in-built speaker is tinny. Alternatively, you could always use Bluetooth to connect to a decent speaker.

One thing this phone doesn't have, though, is Wi-Fi. And while you can use 4G via your mobile carrier, it doesn't offer tethering so you can't use it as a mobile hotspot. On the plus side, I also appreciated the fact it has a bunch of extras including a small torch, a voice recorder (which worked pretty well), 10 simple games (including Snake), a calculator, and a calendar.

Nokia 225 4G: Photography

As you might expect, the 0.3MP VGA camera on this device is extremely basic, producing grainy, low-resolution images reminiscent of early 2000s camera phones. That said, they were both bigger and better than the shots I took with the Nokia 110 4G, which were significantly more distorted.

On the whole, though, this camera's photos are heavily saturated and lack detail, making it useful only for the most basic needs reference shots. Or maybe you purposely want that effect for an art project or quirky social media post. In which case, knock yourself out!

The one thing people use their smartphones a lot for these days is photographing text for reference, such as a bus timetable. While many feature phones, such as the Nokia 110 4G and Nokia 3310, are useless at this task, the Nokia 225 4G did an okay job. Text was readable, just, when I zoomed in both on the phone itself and when uploaded to my laptop. Only just, though.

You can also shoot very basic, low-res video with the same camera. I can't think of any reason you'd want to, but maybe you can.

Nokia 225 4G: Verdict

The Nokia 225 4G is exactly what it sets out to be: a simple feature phone at a budget-friendly price. I liked the size and shape, found the keyboard easy to use, and found the 2.4-inch screen a nice size for a feature phone.

It's slightly more expensive than the Nokia 110 4G, but the screen is nicer and the photos slightly better. It's broadly on a par with the Nokia 6310, which has a slightly nicer keyboard but on the downside, can't take video unless you insert a memory card.

Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone seeking a simple phone to help you digitally detox, or a backup phone to your main smartphone. Its excellent battery life, lightweight are standout features, although be aware there's no WiFi, you can't use it as a mobile hotspot, and the 0.3MP camera is only good for the most basic reference shots.

Check out our guides to the best burners phones and the best dumbphones for alternatives to the Nokia 224 4G