Nokia today unveiled the Nokia 1, its first Android Go (Oreo) smartphone. Additionally, the company also unveiled a 2018 variant of the Nokia 6 with powerful internals, quick charge, and an improved camera.
Nokia 1
As for the Nokia 1, the budget handset features a design that is reminiscent of the original Moto G. It features a removable back that can be customized using Xpress-On covers that will be available in different colors. The handset features a 4.5-inch WVGA (854×480) resolution display, and it is powered by a quad-core MediaTek chip, 1GB RAM, and 8GB storage with a microSD card slot. There’s also a 5MP shooter at the back and a 2MP selfie shooter. You also get Bluetooth 4.2, a headphone jack, Wi-Fi, and a microUSB port. All this is powered by a 2150mAh battery.
Since the handset is a part of the Android Go (Oreo) program, it runs on Android Oreo that is optimized for low-end devices. It will also run Google’s Go suite of apps which are lighter than their regular counterparts. It will launch in April for $85.
Nokia 6 (2018)
The original Nokia 6 was HMD’s best selling smartphone of 2017. So building on its strength, the company has continued with the same design and naming scheme with the 2018 Nokia 6 but made improvements in some key area. The solid build quality has been further improved as the series 6000 aluminum now comes with two-tone anodization. Disappointingly, the new Nokia 6 features a 5.5-inch Full HD 16:9 aspect ratio display. With even budget smartphones switching to an 18:9 panel, it is disappointing to see Nokia still using a 16:9 aspect ratio display on its 2018 budget mid-ranger. The bezels have been reduced in size which has led to the fingerprint scanner being moved to the back and the capacitive buttons being given the boot.
Powered by a Snapdragon 630 chipset, the new Nokia 6 will come with 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB storage, and a 3000mAh battery with quick charge support. It will also sport an improved 16MP f/2.0 shooter at the rear with Zeiss optics and an 8MP f/2.0 selfie shooter at the front. Other specs of the 8.15mm thick handset include Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm jack, USB-C, dual-SIM, and LTE connectivity. The new Nokia 6 will make its way to Europe in April for about €279.
The Nokia 6 runs on Android 8.0 Oreo and is a part of Google’s Android One program. In fact, all devices unveiled by Nokia today are a part of the Android One program which means they should receive security and OS updates pretty quickly. The company has also committed itself to launching all future devices under the Android One and Android Go program.
The Nokia 1 and Nokia 6 (2018) both look impressive handsets on paper. While they are unlikely to do well in India where Nokia faces stiff competition from the likes of Xiaomi and Huawei, they should do well in Europe and the United States.
