HMD Global unveiled the Nokia C31 at IFA 2022 which took place in the first week of September. This device is an entry-level smartphone and is limited to 4G connectivity.

It was released in China a month later in October. Now, a year after the handset’s debut in the country, an interesting detail has emerged.

As per the available information, the phone now ships with a different software than it launched with.

Nokia C31

Nokia-branded smartphones from HMD Global boot near-to-stock Android software worldwide, except in China. Because Google is banned in this country, and therefore, the software on phones has evolved differently compared to other markets.

For the unaware, Nokia smartphones in China have tweaked UI elements and personalized services. They do not look like the software that you find on the same handsets elsewhere.

Despite being different, the software on Nokia phones in China is light. But this is not the case anymore, at least on the Nokia C31.

As per @Hikari_Calyx on X (formerly Twitter), the newer units of the Nokia C31 now ship with Freeme OS in China. This software is developed by Shanghai Zhuoyi Technology Co., Ltd, which also goes by Droi.

Feeme OS is a heavy skin on Android like popular Chinese skins, such as MIUI. It nowhere resembles the stock Android, which is one of the key selling points of Nokia handsets.

The Nokia C31 is eligible for 2 years of quarterly security updates. However, the units with Freeme OS are stuck with the October 2022 security patch.

It seems that this particular version of the device may not receive any system update at all. As HMD Global did not promise any Android update for the phone, it will remain on Android 12 forever.

The Nokia C31 is powered by an entry-level Unisoc SC9863A1 chip and costs ¥799 (~$110) in China. At this price, consumers get better options from local brands.

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