Nokia 105 vs 106 vs 105 4G: Which Basic Nokia to Buy? (UK)

For most UK buyers, the Nokia 105 4G (2024) is the basic Nokia to buy. At £39.99 it is the only one of the three built to keep working after the UK's 2G networks close and the only one that can be used on Three, provided 4G Calling works on your network, which you should check before ordering. The Nokia 105 (2024) at £29.99 and the Nokia 106 (2023) at £31.99 are cheaper, but both are 2G only, so they suit EE, O2 and Vodafone customers who need a phone for the next two or three years (prices checked 5 October 2026).

Between the two 2G phones, the 105 (2024) has the bigger 2.0-inch screen, while the 106 (2023) has HMD's longest standby figure and a radio that works without a headset. None of the three runs WhatsApp or apps: they are keypad phones for calls, texts, the radio and Snake.

Quick decision: which basic Nokia should you buy?

• Best for most, and the only choice on Three: Nokia 105 4G (2024), £39.99. It runs on 2G, 3G and 4G, charges by USB-C and has the largest screen. On Three it needs working 4G Calling, so check first.
• Cheapest for a short-term job on EE, O2 or Vodafone: Nokia 105 (2024), £29.99. A festival, work-site or back-up phone that has done its job before 2G closes.
• Longest standby on EE, O2 or Vodafone: Nokia 106 (2023), £31.99. HMD rates it at up to 22 days on standby, and its FM radio works with or without a headset.
• Choose something else when: you need WhatsApp, video calls, maps or banking apps. None of these Nokias can run them.
• Check before buying: which network your SIM provider uses, whether you need two SIM slots, and, for the 105 4G, whether you rely on 4G Calling (VoLTE) on a particular network.

Nokia 105 vs 106 vs 105 4G: specs side by side

This table sets out HMD's published specifications for each model; standby and talk times are HMD's laboratory figures.

And this is what The Tech Gadgets lists for each phone.

What's the real difference between the Nokia 105, 106 and 105 4G?

The network is the difference that matters. The 105 (2024) and 106 (2023) are 2G-only phones, so they work on EE, O2 and Vodafone until those networks close 2G, and never on Three. The 105 4G (2024) adds 4G, so it can keep working after 2G closes if 4G Calling works on your network. Screen size, battery and charging port are secondary.

Day to day, all three are classic Nokia keypad phones. They make calls, send texts, store up to 2,000 contacts, light a torch, play the FM radio and, with a microSD card, play music. They run HMD's own simple software, not Android, which is why the batteries last for days and why none of them can install WhatsApp.

The details then separate them. The 105 4G has the largest screen at 2.4 inches, USB-C charging and Bluetooth 5.0, and none of the three lists a camera. The 105 (2024) has a 2.0-inch screen, which HMD describes as a step up from the 1.77-inch display on earlier 105s. The 106 (2023) has the smallest screen at 1.8 inches but the longest standby rating.

Which Nokia works on my network?

On EE, O2 and Vodafone, and providers using them such as giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, BT Mobile, Lebara and VOXI, all three work today. On Three, SMARTY and iD Mobile, only the Nokia 105 4G (2024) can work, and only with 4G Calling (VoLTE), because Three has never had 2G and has closed 3G.

The dates are the operators' own announcements; Ofcom's guide to the 2G and 3G switch-off lists them and which providers use which network. Every operator has confirmed 2G will close by 2033 at the latest, and under the Government's 2G switch-off charter networks can trial earlier closures in some areas with at least three months' notice. Smaller providers follow the timing of the network they use.

One caution applies to the 4G model. HMD advertises HD calling over 4G but publishes no list of UK networks, and no UK network list we checked names this phone. Ofcom warns that phones bought outside a network, especially less common models, can have trouble with 4G Calling. Ours is international stock, so ask the team and check with your network before ordering if you will rely on it. Our in-depth Nokia 105 4G guide covers this network by network.

Which basic Nokia will last longest?

In years of use, the Nokia 105 4G (2024) should last longest, because it doesn't depend on 2G once 4G Calling works. On a single charge, the Nokia 106 (2023) leads, with HMD rating it at up to 22 days on standby against 18 days for the 105 (2024) and 15 days for the 105 4G. All three have removable batteries.

A flat battery is solved by a charger; a closed 2G network can't be solved at all on the 105 (2024) or 106 (2023). From 5 October 2026, EE's switch-off start in May 2029 is about two years and seven months away. For an older relative, an emergency drawer or anyone relying on the phone into the 2030s, that points to the 105 4G.

On standby, treat HMD's figures as a comparison rather than a promise, because a weak signal drains any phone faster. Note too that the 105 4G has the shortest standby rating of the three despite having the largest battery.

Is the Nokia 106 a 4G phone?

No, not the one we sell. The Nokia 106 (2023) is 2G only, running on GSM 900 and 1800MHz. HMD does sell a separate Nokia 106 4G in some markets, such as India, so the names are easy to confuse. If you want 4G in this family, the Nokia 105 4G (2024) is the 4G model we stock.

Is the Nokia 106 dual SIM?

It can be. Our listing says the Nokia 106 (2023) is supplied as single or dual SIM depending on the unit, and the same applies to the Nokia 105 (2024). Both take the larger mini-SIM size. The 105 4G takes a nano-SIM. If two SIM slots matter to you, ask the team which version is in stock before ordering.

Screen, keypad and everyday use

All three are candy-bar phones with a physical keypad, so you dial and text with real buttons rather than a touchscreen. The practical difference is the screen. The 105 4G's 2.4-inch QVGA display is the largest and sharpest of the three, which helps with reading texts and contact names. The 105 (2024) sits in the middle at 2.0 inches, and the 106 (2023) has the smallest at 1.8 inches.

The 105 (2024) is the lightest at 77.5g, against 79.4g for the 106 (2023) and 92.99g for the 105 4G. None of these is a specialist big-button senior phone, and none lists an SOS button; our guide to the best simple phone for older people covers that choice.

Charging, headphones, radio and extras

The 105 (2024) and 106 (2023) charge through micro USB. The 105 4G uses USB-C, the same connector as most current smartphones, so one cable can serve the whole household. All three have a 3.5mm headphone jack, according to HMD's specifications for the 105 models and our listing for the 106.

The FM radio is where the 106 and 105 4G have an edge. HMD lists both with a radio that works wired or wireless, meaning with or without a headset plugged in. HMD doesn't say whether the 105 (2024)'s radio works without a headset, so keep wired headphones handy. Only the 105 4G lists Bluetooth, which lets you pair a wireless headset or car kit.

Cheap Nokia phones compared: what the extra £2 or £10 buys

The Nokia 106 (2023) costs £2.00 more than the Nokia 105 (2024) (£31.99 − £29.99). The Nokia 105 4G (2024) costs £10.00 more than the 105 (£39.99 − £29.99) and £8.00 more than the 106 (£39.99 − £31.99), all checked 5 October 2026. The £8 to £10 step buys 4G, which is the upgrade that matters.

The £2 between the two 2G phones buys a different balance rather than a better phone: a longer standby rating and a radio that works without headphones on the 106, against a slightly larger screen on the 105.

Delivery shifts the sums a little. Standard delivery is free on orders of £50 or more, otherwise £4.99, and every Nokia here is under £50. A single Nokia 105 4G costs £39.99 + £4.99 = £44.98 delivered. Two phones clear the threshold: a Nokia 105 (2024) and a Nokia 106 (2023) together cost £29.99 + £31.99 = £61.98, with free standard delivery.

If you need WhatsApp, a smartphone is the honest answer, and our guide to the best Samsung Galaxy phones under £150 covers the cheapest step up.

Choose the right Nokia: decision rules

• Choose the Nokia 105 4G (2024) when: you're on Three or might move to Three (after checking 4G Calling), the phone is for someone who will depend on it beyond 2029, you want USB-C or Bluetooth, or you'd like the largest screen. It is the best Nokia phone here for most people.
• Choose the Nokia 105 (2024) instead when: you're on EE, O2 or Vodafone, the phone is for a defined job over the next couple of years, and the lowest price matters most. Our Nokia 105 (2024) buying guide goes deeper.
• Choose the Nokia 106 (2023) instead when: you're on EE, O2 or Vodafone, you want the longest time between charges, and you listen to the radio without headphones. Its colours (Red Terracotta, Charcoal and Emerald Green) are also the most distinctive.
• Who should not buy any of them: anyone who needs WhatsApp, maps, banking apps or video calls, and anyone wanting a specialist senior phone with an SOS button.

Condition, stock origin and what to check on arrival

All three Nokias are Brand New, sealed, unlocked, international stock. Box printing and contents follow the market each phone was made for, so the charger plug may not be a UK type, and HMD's own box lists differ by market; a standard UK USB adapter and the right cable solve that. Our explainer on how international stock differs from refurbished has more, and this guide to unlocked, SIM-free phones explains why any compatible SIM will work.

The product pages and returns policy list a 12-month warranty from The Tech Gadgets, starting on delivery, covering faults that develop in normal use (not accidental or liquid damage). The warranty policy lists battery defects and reduced capacity as exclusions, but the Consumer Rights Act 30-day right to reject still applies. You also get change-of-mind returns within 30 days if unused and complete (you pay return postage), plus your 14-day right to cancel. See the returns and warranty terms for details.

Orders placed by 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day from Manchester, with standard delivery in 1–3 working days or Special Delivery (next working day) for £9.99. The shipping policy covers weekends and bank holidays.

Arrival checks for any of the three

• The box is sealed and the model and colour match your order.
• The SIM fits (mini-SIM for the 105 and 106, nano-SIM for the 105 4G) and you can make a test call and send a text.
• The phone charges, and the keypad, speaker, torch and radio work.
• On the 105 4G, the screen is the 2.4-inch size listed, and the 4G icon stays on during a test call rather than dropping to 2G.

Nokia 105, 106 and 105 4G: buyer questions

What is the best Nokia basic phone to buy in 2026?

For most people in the UK, the Nokia 105 4G (2024) at £39.99 (checked 5 October 2026). It is the only one of the three basic Nokias we sell that can keep working after 2G closes and the only one that can be used on Three, in both cases provided 4G Calling works on your network. The 105 (2024) and 106 (2023) are good value for short-term use on EE, O2 or Vodafone, but their useful life is tied to 2G switch-off dates starting in 2029.

Which Nokia keypad phone has the longest battery life?

The Nokia 106 (2023), on HMD's figures: up to 22 days on standby and up to 12 hours of talk time from its 1,000mAh battery. The Nokia 105 (2024) is rated at up to 18 days and 10 hours, and the 105 4G (2024) at 15 days on standby from a larger 1,450mAh battery. These are laboratory figures, so a weak signal or heavy use will cut them. All three batteries are removable, so a worn battery can be replaced without replacing the phone.

Do any of these Nokia button phones run WhatsApp?

No. The Nokia 105 (2024), 106 (2023) and 105 4G (2024) run HMD's own feature-phone software rather than Android, so none can install WhatsApp, Facebook or app-store apps. They use normal calls and SMS texts. If you want both, some people carry the Nokia and keep a smartphone at home on Wi-Fi for WhatsApp, or choose a budget smartphone instead.

Can I use the Nokia 105 or 106 on giffgaff or Tesco Mobile?

Yes, for now. Ofcom lists giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile as providers using the O2 network, which still runs 2G, so the 2G Nokia 105 (2024) and 106 (2023) will work on them. O2 has announced its 2G switch-off will start in summer 2029, and these providers follow O2's timing. For use beyond then, choose the Nokia 105 4G (2024).

Which basic Nokia is best for an older relative?

Usually the Nokia 105 4G (2024). Its 2.4-inch screen is the largest of the three, and because it runs on 4G it can carry on when their network closes 2G (check 4G Calling with the network first), which avoids relearning a new handset in a few years. If they are on EE, O2 or Vodafone and only need a phone for a short spell, the 105 (2024) or 106 (2023) will do. None of these has an SOS button.

Do the Nokia 105 and 106 come with a charger?

HMD's spec sheets list a micro USB charger for the Nokia 105 (2024) and Nokia 106 (2023), and a charger plus a USB-C cable for the 105 4G (2024), though HMD's own documents vary by market. Ours are sealed international stock, so box contents follow the market each phone was made for and the charger plug may not be a UK type. A standard UK USB mains adapter and the right cable solve that.

Verdict: Nokia 105 vs 106 vs 105 4G

Buy the Nokia 105 4G (2024) unless you have a clear reason not to, and check 4G Calling with the team and your network first. The £8 to £10 extra buys 4G, which can keep the phone useful after 2G closes and makes it the only option on Three. It also brings the largest screen, USB-C and Bluetooth.

Buy the Nokia 105 (2024) if you're on EE, O2 or Vodafone and want the cheapest sealed Nokia for a job that ends before 2029. Buy the Nokia 106 (2023) on the same networks if a longer standby rating and a headset-free radio matter more than screen size. Buy none of them if you need WhatsApp or apps; a budget smartphone is the better fit. You can see everything we sell in our range of mobile phones in stock.