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| Nokia 216 RM-1187 internal circuit featuring MT6260CA chipset, AJ-73 charging IC, 16-pin display, GSM section and repair information. |
Nokia 216 RM-1187 Circuit Details and Board Overview.
The Nokia 216 is a classic dual-SIM feature phone built around a compact hardware platform designed for calls, messaging, basic multimedia and long battery operation. For mobile technicians, the RM-1187 board is especially useful to study because its charging, display, memory, audio, SIM and GSM sections are arranged around a relatively simple feature-phone architecture.
HMD’s official Declaration of Conformity identifies Nokia 216 DS / SS as RM-1187 and RM-1188, confirming the RM-1187 model association.
The repair information supplied for this board identifies MediaTek MT6260CA as the main chipset, AJ-73 as the charging IC reference, a 26 MHz crystal, a 16-pin display connection, dual SIM support and a dedicated memory-card slot. Component markings should always be checked against the actual PCB revision before replacing an IC or using a pinout.
Nokia 216 RM-1187 Basic Hardware Specifications.
The following table focuses on the information most useful for technicians and board-level repair.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Number | RM-1187 |
| Model Name | Nokia 216 |
| Main Processor / Chipset | MediaTek MT6260CA |
| Network | 2G GSM |
| SIM | Dual SIM |
| Crystal | 26 MHz, P26 reference in supplied board data |
| Charging IC Reference | AJ-73 |
| Battery | Approximately 1000–1500 mAh in the supplied repair reference; retail specifications commonly list around 1020 mAh |
| Display | 2.4-inch |
| Display Resolution | 240 × 320 pixels |
| Display Connector | 16-pin connector reference |
| Memory Card | Dedicated microSD slot |
| Microphone | SH-018, 2-pin reference |
The Nokia 216 is widely documented with a 2.4-inch 240 × 320 display, dual-SIM GSM connectivity, removable battery and microSD expansion.
Nokia 216 RM-1187 Internal Circuit Architecture.
The board becomes easier to troubleshoot when its major functions are considered as separate circuit blocks.
A simplified power and signal path can be represented as:
Charger → Charging Section → Battery → Power Management → Main Chipset
For the communication side:
SIM → Baseband Processing → GSM/RF Section → Antenna
For the user interface:
Main Chipset → Display Connector → LCD
And for voice communication:
Microphone → Audio/Baseband Section → Main Chipset
This type of integrated architecture keeps the PCB compact while allowing the phone to perform its core feature-phone functions without the complex hardware found in modern smartphones.
Problem: Nokia 216 RM-1187 Charging Not Working.
Charging failure is one of the most useful areas to understand when working on a Nokia 216 PCB. The phone can show no charging indication, fail to recognize a charger, charge very slowly or stop charging because of a fault anywhere along the input-to-battery path.
Charging IC and Power Flow.
The supplied board reference identifies the charging IC as AJ-73.
The basic charging path can be understood as:
USB Input → Input Protection / Charging Path → AJ-73 Charging Section → Battery
The charging circuit regulates the charging process rather than simply connecting the charger directly to the battery.
Before replacing the charging IC, inspect the charging port, solder joints, input track, protection components and battery contacts. A damaged connector or broken PCB track can produce exactly the same symptom as a failed charging IC.
Solution: Nokia 216 Charging Fault Diagnosis.
A practical repair sequence starts with the easiest points to verify.
Check whether the charger reaches the board. Inspect the USB connector for loose or damaged pins. Then follow the charging input line toward the charging section and check for corrosion, broken tracks or visibly damaged components.
The battery should also be tested independently. A weak or deeply discharged battery can cause charging behaviour that looks like an IC failure.
There are repair references showing charging-section troubleshooting for the RM-1187, but jumper points and voltage readings should be verified against the exact PCB before being used on another board revision.
Problem: Nokia 216 CPU and Processing Section.
The supplied circuit reference identifies the main processor as MediaTek MT6260CA.
MT6260CA Processor Role.
The MT6260 family was designed for feature-phone platforms where low power consumption, GSM communication and integrated multimedia functions were more important than smartphone-level performance.
On a board such as the Nokia 216, the main chipset handles the user interface, communication functions, and other core operations. Its integration helps reduce the number of external components required on the PCB.
The script describes the processor as a single-core ARM-based device and assigns a 2 GHz clock speed. That clock figure should not be treated as a confirmed Nokia 216 specification without a chipset datasheet or board-specific documentation. Processor clock information found in repair posts is often inconsistent, so technicians should avoid using an unverified value for diagnosis.
Solution: Dead Nokia 216 or No-Power Fault.
A phone that does not switch on should not immediately be diagnosed as a CPU failure.
Start with the battery and battery connector. Then check the charging path, main power rails, power-on key circuit and any obvious shorted component.
If the required supply rails are available but the board remains completely unresponsive, inspection can continue around the main chipset and its clock circuit.
Replacing or reworking the processor should be considered only after simpler power-related causes have been eliminated.
Problem: Nokia 216 Network and GSM Section.
The Nokia 216 RM-1187 is a 2G GSM feature phone. HMD’s official documentation confirms the RM-1187 model designation, while current reference specifications identify the handset as a GSM dual-SIM feature phone.
26 MHz Crystal and Network Timing.
The supplied board data identifies a 26 MHz crystal with a P26 reference. A stable reference clock is important because GSM communication and digital processing depend on accurate timing.
A crystal problem can cause startup or communication-related symptoms, but crystal replacement should not be used as a guess-based repair. The surrounding oscillator circuit, power supply and board condition should also be checked.
The supplied script also refers to the P26 component as an original Nokia crystal. The marking should be verified physically because component sourcing and board revisions can differ.
Solution: No Network or SIM Detection.
For a no-network complaint, begin with the simplest physical checks.
Inspect both SIM slots, contact springs and PCB tracks. Make sure the SIM is actually detected before moving deeper into the GSM section.
If SIM detection is normal but the phone shows no service, inspect the antenna path and RF-related components. Network faults can also be caused by software configuration, weak coverage or damaged RF circuitry, so the fault should be isolated before replacing the main chipset.
Problem: Nokia 216 Display Not Working.
The Nokia 216 uses a 2.4-inch 240 × 320 display, according to widely documented specifications.
Display Circuit Explanation.
The supplied repair reference identifies a 16-pin display connector.
The general display path is:
Main Chipset → Display Interface → 16-Pin Connector → LCD Module
The connector carries the necessary electrical connections between the motherboard and display assembly. The exact pin assignment should not be assumed from the connector count alone because the signals can vary with the display and PCB implementation.
Solution: Blank Screen or Display Failure.
If the phone appears to power on but nothing is visible, inspect the display connector before working on the processor.
Check for:
Bent or contaminated connector contacts
Cracked solder joints
Damaged display flex
Broken PCB tracks
Display power-related faults
A faulty LCD can also produce a completely blank screen, so testing with a known-good compatible display can help separate a display fault from a motherboard fault.
Problem: Nokia 216 Keypad and User Interface Fault.
The physical keypad is one of the simplest parts of a feature-phone board, but corrosion and damaged contacts can cause several keys to stop working.
Keypad Circuit Explanation.
A matrix-style keypad normally uses shared row and column lines. Pressing a key connects a particular combination, allowing the main processor to identify the selected button without requiring one dedicated input line for every key.
This is an efficient solution for a compact feature-phone motherboard.
Solution: Keys Not Working.
If one key fails, inspect its contact area and the corresponding PCB trace.
When several keys fail together, look for a common row or column line, corrosion or track damage. A group of dead keys often points to a shared circuit path rather than multiple independent button failures.
Problem: Nokia 216 Microphone and Audio Section.
The supplied repair reference identifies the microphone as SH-018, using a 2-pin configuration.
Microphone Circuit Explanation.
The microphone converts voice into an electrical audio signal that is processed by the phone's audio and baseband circuitry during calls or recordings.
The simplified path is:
Microphone → Audio Input Circuit → Main Chipset → GSM Communication
A basic two-pin microphone arrangement keeps the connection simple and is appropriate for a compact feature-phone design.
Solution: Microphone Not Working.
When the person on the other side cannot hear the caller, first inspect the microphone opening and the microphone itself.
Then check its solder joints and nearby PCB tracks. Dirt, liquid exposure and mechanical damage can also affect the microphone path.
The main processor should be considered only after the microphone and its local circuit have been tested.
Problem: Battery and Power Management Issues.
The repair reference gives a battery range of approximately 1000–1500 mAh, while available Nokia 216 specifications commonly identify a removable battery around 1020 mAh.
Power Management Circuit.
Even a feature phone requires stable power rails for its processor, GSM section, display, audio circuitry and other peripherals.
The charging section and power-management path must work together so that the battery can supply the required voltage without unnecessary current consumption.
A battery fault, shorted capacitor, damaged charging circuit or abnormal load can result in random shutdowns, fast battery drain or failure to boot.
Solution: Fast Battery Drain or Random Shutdown.
Start by testing the battery itself. Then inspect the battery connector and main supply path.
If the phone consumes unusually high current, a short or partially shorted component should be considered. A controlled bench-power-supply test can help identify abnormal current behavior, but measurements should be performed using appropriate equipment and safe limits for the board.
Nokia 216 Memory and Storage Circuit.
The supplied script lists 50 MB ROM and 16 MB RAM. The 16 MB RAM figure appears in third-party specifications for the Nokia 216, while exact internal storage figures are inconsistent across online sources.
The important board-level point is that the Nokia 216 is a feature phone rather than an Android smartphone. Its storage architecture is designed around the operating system, contacts, messages and basic multimedia functions.
The dedicated memory-card slot provides additional storage for compatible media files. The phone is also documented with microSD expansion support.
Nokia 216 RM-1187 Circuit Repair Workflow.
A structured diagnostic process can save considerable time during board repair.
Step 1: Test the Battery.
Check battery voltage, physical condition and connector contact before opening the charging section.
Step 2: Inspect the Charging Port.
Look for loose pins, cracked solder joints, corrosion and broken input tracks.
Step 3: Trace the Charging Section.
Follow the input path toward the AJ-73 charging section and verify the surrounding components before replacing the IC.
Step 4: Check Main Power Rails.
Confirm that the motherboard is receiving stable power before diagnosing the processor or GSM circuit.
Step 5: Inspect the Crystal Circuit.
For abnormal startup or communication behavior, examine the 26 MHz reference circuit and its surrounding components.
Step 6: Check SIM and GSM Paths.
Inspect SIM contacts, antenna connections and RF-related components when the phone shows no network.
Step 7: Check Display and Keypad Connections.
A display connector, keypad contact or damaged PCB trace is often easier to verify than a processor fault, so these areas should be checked first.
What a Nokia 216 RM-1187 Schematic Diagram Can Tell a Technician.
A genuine schematic diagram provides much more information than a board photograph.
It can show power rails, component connections, signal paths, charging circuits, display lines, SIM interfaces, keypad connections, audio circuits and communication sections.
For repair work, this matters because an exact pinout cannot safely be inferred simply from the number of connector pins. A 16-pin display connector, for example, tells you the connector size but does not automatically reveal the function of every pin.
The same principle applies to the AJ-73 charging IC and the P26 crystal. Their markings are useful for identification, but the exact board connection should be confirmed by the specific PCB revision.
Nokia 216 RM-1187 Component Summary.
The most useful repair references from the supplied circuit information are:
MediaTek MT6260CA: Main feature-phone chipset reference.
26 MHz P26: Crystal reference used for timing.
AJ-73: Charging-section IC reference from the supplied board data.
2.4-inch LCD: Main display size.
240 × 320: Display resolution commonly reported for the Nokia 216.
16-pin display connector: Connector reference from the supplied repair information.
SH-018: Two-pin microphone reference.
Dual SIM: Supported by the RM-1187 Nokia 216 variant.
microSD expansion: Supported for additional storage.
Official Nokia 216 RM-1187 Information.
HMD’s official Declaration of Conformity lists the Nokia 216 DS and SS under RM-1187 and RM-1188, providing authoritative confirmation of the model relationship.
Official HMD reference: https://www.hmd.com/en_qa/declaration-of-conformity
Note: IC markings, display pinouts, charging paths and component layouts should be verified on the exact RM-1187 PCB revision before performing board-level repair.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and technical reference purposes. Always use proper test equipment and a verified schematic or boardview for component-level repair. Unverified jumper points, pinouts, voltage values and IC identifications should not be treated as universal because hardware revisions can differ.
