Most phones launching in 2026 are trying to do everything. The Nokia 300 Charge is trying to do almost nothing, and that’s exactly what makes it interesting. HMD has launched the Nokia 300 Charge globally, and the headline spec is a 3,700mAh battery stuffed into a basic feature phone. That’s a genuinely big number for a device this simple.
To put that in perspective, HMD claims up to 40 days of standby time and 37 hours of talk time. Those are numbers that would embarrass plenty of mid-range Android phones. But here’s the part that actually caught my attention: there’s a dedicated “Out” button on the side of the phone. Press it and the 300 Charge flips into 10W reverse charging mode, letting you top up other compatible devices. So yes, this little brick can charge your smartphone. That’s a genuinely clever feature on a phone that costs $38.
The rest of the specs are exactly what you’d expect from a device in this category. The 300 Charge has a 2.4-inch LCD screen at 320 x 240 resolution, a Unisoc SC6531E chip, and HMD’s S30+ operating system. RAM and storage sit at 4MB each, which isn’t a typo. Connectivity is 2G only, covering 900MHz and 1800MHz bands. It measures 136.6 x 55 x 14.94mm and weighs 138g. There’s no smart assistant, no camera worth mentioning, and no touchscreen tricks. This phone makes calls, sends texts, and holds a charge.
HMD used the same Unisoc chip and S30+ software combo in the Nokia 123 Shield, the rugged feature phone it put out with a similar battery-first focus. The 300 Charge feels like the next step in that direction, minus the rugged casing. The USB-C port is here too, which sounds minor until you remember that HMD only started switching its feature phone lineup from micro-USB a couple of years back with the Nokia 6310, 5310, and 230.
That shift matters because it signals HMD is treating feature phones as real, current products rather than throwaway budget fillers. There’s a real market here. Not everyone wants or needs a smartphone. Elderly users, kids, people in areas with weak network coverage, or anyone who just wants a backup device that never dies, these phones exist for real reasons. And at $38, the Nokia 300 Charge is cheap enough to be a no-brainer second phone for plenty of people.
Here’s a quick look at what the phone brings to the table:
- 3,700mAh battery with 40-day standby and 37-hour talk time
- 10W reverse charging via dedicated “Out” button
- USB-C charging port
- 2.4-inch LCD screen at 320 x 240 resolution
- Unisoc SC6531E chip with S30+ OS
- 2G connectivity only
- Available in sandstone, green, and black
Pricing is set at 2,190 Philippine pesos, roughly $38, and the phone is currently available in the Philippines. HMD hasn’t confirmed a wider rollout yet, but the 300 Charge is already listed on the global HMD site, so other markets probably aren’t far off. At this price and with that battery trick, it’s the kind of device that sells itself. No gimmicks needed.