We've all felt the frustration of a cracked screen, a loose charging port or a battery that no longer holds a charge, which is usually followed up with throwing up our hands and saying "Whelp, I gotta buy a new phone" but what if you didn't have to?
Big companies like Apple have historically been against users repairing their own devices by putting software and hardware barriers in place to prevent users from taking it upon themselves to fix their own gear.
While this has given us smaller, better-sealed devices it also means only the big companies can repair your tech and charge hefty prices, or you can replace them completely thus creating more waste.
Nokia has gone the other way from most tech companies and has been forward-thinking and economically friendly by partnering with repair guru iFixit to create the Nokia G22.
At only £140, the Nokia G22 is not only a very affordable phone but it has been built with sustainability in mind, its back cover is made from 100% recycled plastic and it’s also designed to be simple to repair too, offering one thing that big tech companies like Apple and Samsung have been hesitant to offer.
However, as someone who is constantly exploring the latest technology and tinkering with gadgets, it's hard to admit that I felt a little trepidation at the prospect of messing with a phone’s innards.
The truth is I haven’t had the opportunity to crack open and fix a mobile phone since my trusty Nokia 5210 in the early 2000s.
However, Nokia claimed it can be easily fixed without any elaborate gear or specialist training and with the iFixit Essential Electronics Toolkit, I had everything I needed. The iFixit website also contains handy, free and simple-to-follow guides online that will guide you step by step through the process.
After receiving a G22 phone from Nokia, I was a little anxious that I might end up destroying this new piece of tech but I took it apart and reassembled it and remarkably it works.
While I do own a very basic tool kit the iFixit Essential Electronics Toolkit only costs £26.99 and is much more comprehensive providing everything I needed including:
Driver with magnetic bit socket (4 mm), knurled grip and swivel top
Angled tweezers
Spudger
iFixit Jimmy
iFixit Opening Tool
iFixit Opening Picks (6)
iFixit Suction Handle
Easy-to-Open Magnetized Case
Lid with Built-in Sorting Tray for screws and small components
16 Precision Screwdriver Bits (4 mm): Phillips 000, 00, 0, 1, 2
Pentalobe P2, P5 Flat 1, 2.5, 4 mm
Torx T4, T5
Torx Security TR6, TR8, TR10
Tri-Point Y000
Despite the fiddly bits, the process was made relatively simple as long as you pay careful attention to the steps and take your time. But you do need to also factor in the cost of parts too.
The Nokia G22 battery costs £22.99 and with some basic tools included costs £27.99. However, components like the screen are a little more expensive costing £44.99 for the part only and £49.99 with tools included.
The process requires space to work as well as concentration and steady hands. I began by prying off the back cover, which unlike most phones isn't glued in place, I then gently disconnected the fingerprint scanner and removed 11 small screws to remove the motherboard cover.
I won't disclose how many times I dropped those tiny screws, but I did manage to find them all in the end, and once the cover was off I disconnected the battery cable and lifted the battery out.
I then realised I had nothing to replace it with and it wasn't actually broken so I began putting the phone back together, which involved simply following the steps in reverse.
I have to say, there’s something deeply satisfying about repairing a device yourself and turning it on and seeing the phone blink to life.
The G22 is not only built to last, but it also offers the chance for users to take control of their own repairs in case accidents happen.
As you follow the iFixit guides, there's an unexpected sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with successfully taking apart and repairing your own phone. And even though the Nokia G22 is designed to be durable, knowing that you can fix any issues that may arise is empowering.
I also want to note here that the Nokia G22 is much more than just a repairable device. It’s also a surprisingly decent affordable, entry-level phone that would be great for those on a budget, for a kid's first phone or as a phone for elderly parents especially as they are likely to be familiar with Nokia.
It also unsurprisingly, looks just like any other smartphone, it’s slim and lightweight at 195g and not large or chunky at 165mm tall, and 76.19mm wide.
It sports a nice 6.52 inch, impressive 90Hz display, with a resolution of 720 x 1200, and is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. It also has a practical 50MP camera as well as a using clean and simple, if slightly older, Android 12 OS.
It also includes OZO Playback technology to create a 360-degree special audio experience. Its eco-friendly design, including a 100% recycled plastic back cover, is both practical and attractive.
Battery life was also pretty decent, I got around 17 hours on moderate use and it supports a lower speed "fast charging" of 20W however, Nokia claims the battery should retain over 80% of its capacity, even after 800 charge cycles but buys should note a wall charger is not included with the phone.
The phone's specs are mixed, with its lower resolution but 90hz screen, and its slower CPU but excellent battery life. Also to help keep this phone safe it comes with a clear case and is also IP52 protected meaning it’ll survive a mild splash but not a falling into a bath or toilet.
It also includes a three-year warranty, two years of Android OS updates and three years of security updates. It’s also worth noting that the Nokia G22 is available on Circular, Nokia’s subscription service for £9.00 a month which includes a replacement if it is damaged or stolen, which is a great idea to keep the device with you for longer and reduces waste.
In short, the Nokia G22 is a smartphone that not only functions well for the low price point but also is an excellent choice for anyone who values sustainability or wants to tinker or gain the experience and confidence to work on more devices allowing users the gratification of being able to take care of their own technology.
I should also note the experience isn’t for everyone, this is a real phone and the parts are not modular like Lego, you can mess it up if you’re not careful and some may be too anxious and lack the patience to attempt the repairs.
However, I loved experiencing the joy and satisfaction of repairing a phone by myself and think it could be a great tool for teaching those who want to learn how to repair their own electronics.
Thankfully, the Nokia G22 offers the perfect opportunity for anyone who may be intimidated by the idea of repairing a smartphone. With its easy-to-follow guides and the right tools, I’m now fighting the urge to dig out my drawer of broken and half-working tech and see what I can else I can do and experience that sense of pride and accomplishment once again.
The Nokia G22 is out now and available from Amazon for £140 and can be rented for £9 per month through Circular.
