HMD Global’s latest Nokia smartphone, the Nokia 7.1, was unveiled last week. Fans of the brand will be excited to know that this one will be available at retailers that sell cell-phones in the US.
The mid-priced Android gadget boasts a durable design, which the brand is well known for, using extruded aluminum that feels like a solid piece of metal.
Let’s check out what this device has to offer:
Specifications
The Nokia 7.1 smartphone has a 5.8-inch, 2280 x 1080 HD display that can support high dynamic range content. This means that users can experience greater clarity and color accuracy in images and videos.
In an interview with Forbes, Juho Sarvikas, HMD Global Chief Product Officer, mentions that the device introduces the PureDisplay screen technology that gives users a premium viewing experience. SDR content can be viewed in HDR, which is the brand’s response to the growing trend of mobile video watching among online users.
This phone also comes with Snapdragon 636 SoC. In terms of capacity, buyers have a choice between 32GB with 3GB of RAM or 64GB with 4GB of RAM. Both options should be adequate to run your various apps, although they tend to feel a bit slow if you’re used to a more high-end unit.
The Nokia 7.1 has Android 8.1 Oreo pre-installed, but in succeeding weeks this will be updated to Android Pie.
In contrast to other smartphones with fewer add-ons, with the Nokia 7.1 you get a headphone jack, USB-C port, and a MicroSD slot. The brand has also added a fingerprint reader, and while it’s not the snappiest under the finger, it works well enough to be a convenient feature.
Camera Features
Nokia 7.1 has a dual camera setup on its rear, with the primary shooter having an improved light-gathering capacity. The manufacturers say that the camera performs better at low-light photography than its predecessors.
This smartphone has a “bothie” mode where you can use the front and back cameras simultaneously.
Appearance
As with other Nokia builds, this is as durable as you can get. The aluminum frame combined with the glass panel presents a nice, sturdy build. However, the glass picks up fingerprints, marring what would otherwise be a sleek look.
The design features a two-tone color treatment, with the main body either in dark blue or silver, while the edges show either silver or copper accents.
Price
With a USD 350 price point, this device is a great option in the US, where not many brands can compete with such an affordable but functional offering. In fact, most phones in this price range have minimal software support and have little design impact to satisfy users.
With a promised software update to Android 9 Pie by the end of October, the Nokia 7.1 will be a stylish, durable, and up-to-date device.
The Verdict
As a mid-range option, the Nokia 7.1 is a well-built, practical smartphone with powerful software encased in solid hardware. This is another quality model from the brand, and it can easily be among the best smartphones of the year.