Nokia’s Latest Product Is a Gorgeous $349 Android Phone

HMD Global just introduced a new Nokia-branded smartphone, the Nokia 7.1. HMD usually focuses on Asian markets with its products, but this time around, the company’s latest affordable flagship is coming to the United Kingdom and the United States.

Nokia’s new flagship, the Nokia 7.1, is a gorgeous 5.84-inch device that comes with Nokia’s FullHD+ PureDisplay. The display supports HDR 10 and is also capable of converting SDR to HDR in real time. Under the hood, the Nokia 7,1 is powered by a Snapdragon 635, and up to 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM. For the storage, you can get up to 64GB of internal storage, as well as a microSD card slot.

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The device has a dual camera setup on the back, with 12MP and 5MP sensors that are capable of enabling Bothies. The device has a 3060mAh battery, which should be decent enough for the power it needs. It does, of course, have a notch, but don’t worry — there’s a headphone jack.

Nokia 7.1 will be available in two colours: gloss midnight blue, and gloss steel. The device starts at $349 in the United States and £299 in the United Kingdom, where you’ll also be able to buy a 32GB model of the device.

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Conversation 53 comments

  • dcdevito

    04 October, 2018 - 2:54 pm

    <p>A $350 phone that has a smaller notch than the $1000 Pixel 3 XL. Incredible. </p>

  • Sykeward

    04 October, 2018 - 2:57 pm

    <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Imagine that, it turns out there still </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">is </em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">room in the market for devices with decent build quality, support, and specs at a reasonable price. </span>I'm really happy that Nokia is back and not just as the desecrated body of a previously-known brand, à la Kodak or Sharp. They definitely would be at the top of my list if I were in the market for an Android phone.</p>

    • CrownSeven

      Premium Member
      04 October, 2018 - 4:16 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#347796">In reply to Sykeward:</a></em></blockquote><p>Soooo what exactly has Nokia contributed to this phone other than its name then?</p>

      • madthinus

        Premium Member
        04 October, 2018 - 6:23 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#347854">In reply to CrownSeven:</a></em></blockquote><p>HMD Global is a company started by a lot of former Nokia employees. So Nokia contributed the name and IP. </p>

        • JudaZuk

          06 October, 2018 - 5:46 am

          <blockquote><a href="#347928"><em>In reply to madthinus:</em></a><em> – no this is a phone made by someone else .. some might have worked for Nokia, what ever relevance that is … and then someone put a Nokia sticker on it .</em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><blockquote><em>This phone has really nothing to do with Nokia ..it is a general low budget Android phone with a Nokia sticker, that is all </em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><blockquote><em>If you buy a cola drink at a local fair, and some person that started the company that makes it, used to work for Coca cola…does not make the cola drink they sell Coca cola..</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

  • Aritting

    04 October, 2018 - 3:04 pm

    <p>Wow – great price. Please review it</p>

  • NCaffo

    04 October, 2018 - 3:29 pm

    <p>The support on this is great as well, they're in the Android One program, so they get regular security updates, and two years of OS upgrades. Pretty sure it's stock android as well, so no bloatware.</p>

    • MikeCerm

      04 October, 2018 - 4:59 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#347827">In reply to NCaffo:</a></em></blockquote><p>Great support is relative, but still not guaranteed even with Android One . How many Android One phones have received the 9.0 upgrade so far? Only one that I know of.</p>

      • jimchamplin

        Premium Member
        04 October, 2018 - 5:11 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#347878">In reply to MikeCerm:</a></em></blockquote><p>Google never promised that devices would receive <em>all</em> updates. ?Just that they’d give updates for two years.</p><p><br></p><p>Apparently that didn’t mean timely. Also? Two years? What a joke.</p>

        • MikeCerm

          05 October, 2018 - 2:01 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#347884">In reply to jimchamplin:</a></em></blockquote><p>Android One updates come from the handset maker, not from Google. So, basically, other than the simple "stock" Android look and feel, there's no benefit with regard to updates compared to "skinned" Android handsets. Sure, it's much simpler for the handset makers to deliver updates, because Google does most of the work, but that just means that handset makers can get by with fewer developers, not that the updates actually come any faster.</p>

  • robincapper

    04 October, 2018 - 4:16 pm

    <p>Sorry Nokia, it ain't "Gorgeous" with a notch</p>

    • George Rae

      04 October, 2018 - 6:04 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#347855">In reply to robincapper:</a></em></blockquote><blockquote><em>That ship has sailed.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • ym73

      04 October, 2018 - 8:27 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#347855">In reply to robincapper:</a></em></blockquote><p>Do you prefer no front camera? It's either the notch or no front camera if you want edge to edge displays. Since the top is just notification icons, the notch is not a big deal, even if it takes away a bit from the appearance. </p>

      • robincapper

        04 October, 2018 - 9:29 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#348115">In reply to ym73:</a></em></blockquote><p>Much prefer a no-notch top border to the notched edge. To date next phone will be a Samsung Note with no notch and 3.5mm phones</p>

      • irfaanwahid

        05 October, 2018 - 1:25 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#348115">In reply to ym73:</a></em></blockquote><p>I don't mind the Infinity display of Galaxies. Even though I have had iPhone 10 for more than a year now, I am still not comfortable having it. I still prefer world without a notch.</p><p>Thumbs up to Samsung for not following like ducks behind Apple.</p>

      • RobertJasiek

        05 October, 2018 - 3:27 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#348115">In reply to ym73:</a></em></blockquote><p>Within one second of seeing the notch, I have decided not to spend €1 on the phone. I do not need any front camera. If a manufacturer deems it necessary to have some, I do not mind bezels. Furthermore, they allow stable build quality and easy holding.</p>

      • boots

        05 October, 2018 - 7:24 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#348115">In reply to ym73:</a></em></blockquote><p>Some phones have a popup camera, allowing for a "full" screen. I rarely use the front camera anyway, so I would much prefer a popup camera than a notch.</p>

      • JudaZuk

        06 October, 2018 - 5:41 am

        <blockquote><a href="#348115"><em>In reply to ym73:</em></a><em> – I have a full screen phone..actually I have 2, and none of them have a notch in the screen . It is a horrible design choice and there is no excuse for it except lazy incompetent designers.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2018 - 10:36 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#347855">In reply to robincapper:</a></em></blockquote><p>I have both a Hauwei Mate 10 Pro and a P20, the former without a notch, the latter with, one private, one for work. To be honest, the notch doesn't bother me any more. I don't really notice it. But the notch + big chin for the fingerprint reader on the P20 is silly.</p>

    • jrickel96

      05 October, 2018 - 11:14 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#347855">In reply to robincapper:</a></em></blockquote><p>Notches are fine, but Android phones tend to screw them up. Look at the chin on the phone. Same for the Pixel 3 XL.</p><p><br></p><p>The iPhone X, XS, XS Max do not have a chin. Even the OnePlus 6 has a small chin. The notch is needed for now for those cameras, but there's no reason if you've got a chin on the bottom of the phone. It's just copying or preparing for a time when they actually can design a phone without that chin.</p><p><br></p><p>Samsung's design is much better for that because the S9 has a chin. Apple does not, so their design makes sense. Everyone else is just copying Apple because they see how successful they have been, but they haven't thought it through.</p><p><br></p><p>The only two that deserve any praise for design are Apple and Samsung. Everyone else is just a follower.</p>

  • NateHam

    04 October, 2018 - 4:28 pm

    <p>You have my attention</p>

  • ivarh

    Premium Member
    04 October, 2018 - 7:17 pm

    <p>Why have a notch when you got a huge chin at the bottom that you can use???</p>

    • curtisspendlove

      04 October, 2018 - 9:54 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#347935">In reply to ivarh:</a></em></blockquote><p>Agreed. I’m good with a notch or a chin, but both just seems silly. </p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2018 - 10:31 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#347935">In reply to ivarh:</a></em></blockquote><p>It is the same with my P20… My Mate 10 Pro has the fingerprint reader on the back and a chin top and bottom for the camera and name, but the P20 has the notch, but a bigger chin, because the fingerprint reader has moved back to the front of the device!</p><p>That said, I'm now ambivalent about the notch, it doesn't bother me any more, seeing it day-in-day-out on one phone and not on the other…</p>

  • Awhispersecho

    Premium Member
    04 October, 2018 - 9:06 pm

    <p>And a notch.. again. Pretty sad that even Nokia is copying this asinine design. If it weren't for that this might have been my Father's next phone. </p>

  • SvenJ

    04 October, 2018 - 9:11 pm

    <p>Put it on Fi and I'll take more notice.</p>

  • lcars

    04 October, 2018 - 10:48 pm

    <p>Meh, every phone looks the same now to me.</p>

  • Tony Barrett

    05 October, 2018 - 6:38 am

    <p>Any handset with a notch is a non-starter. Unless of course, they give you the option of hiding it in software at the expense of losing a bit of screen.</p>

    • MikeCerm

      05 October, 2018 - 1:56 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#349602">In reply to ghostrider:</a></em></blockquote><p>You should try a phone with a notch. It's not a big deal. The software works around it, and most of the time you don't even notice it.</p>

      • JudaZuk

        06 October, 2018 - 5:40 am

        <blockquote><a href="#349889"><em>In reply to MikeCerm:</em></a><em> – I have, it is a really big deal. I have a full screen device without a notch instead because of it . </em></blockquote><p><br></p>

  • Chris Hedlund

    05 October, 2018 - 10:33 am

    <p>Awe – look – it even has a cute little notch at the top – not like the '<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">overly-large notch' on the iPhone…</span></p>

  • Bats

    05 October, 2018 - 10:38 am

    <p>It's ok. Looks like every other phone. Why Medhi call's this "gorgeous" is (LOL)…beyond me. I think someone needs a g…..</p><p><br></p><p>To be honest, I don't know why people still have a problem with "the notch." In my (law) firm, there are several colleagues (all tech illiterate) who use the iPhone X and there could be more who I am not aware is using that phone. To those iPhone X users, I asked how is the phone?&nbsp;I was trying to lead them to talk about the "notch" and they never mentioned. They didn't even notice. I watch a lot of Youtube creators who I noticed you iPhone Xs and they're not complaining. It's not like they were forced to buy it. These Youtube creators are models, style coaches, and travel pros. The only people who complain about this are the people who cover or follow the tech industry.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The point is, I don't know why "tech" people are so against "the notch." It's not even a notch, by definition. From the looks of the iPhone X and Pixel 3 XL, all it is the removal of 2/3rds top bezel.&nbsp;</p>

    • RobertJasiek

      05 October, 2018 - 1:33 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#349741">In reply to Bats:</a></em></blockquote><p>But… did you also ask those not buying a notch?</p>

  • roho

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2018 - 11:54 am

    <p>wow, cheaper than a one plus. Looking forward to full review, details missing. </p><p><br></p><p>iphone and Samsung $1000 sets are a rip off. </p>

    • MikeCerm

      05 October, 2018 - 1:54 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#349820">In reply to RoHo:</a></em></blockquote><p>OnePlus is high-end, and this is solidly mid-range. OnePlus includes a much nicer AMOLED screen, a much more powerful CPU, a much better camera, a much smaller chin, and better software support (faster updates). This Nokia looks nice, but it's better compared to Xiaomi phones in the $200-250 price range. It's not competitive with the OnePlus 6 in any respect.</p>

  • Winner

    05 October, 2018 - 1:03 pm

    <p>Looks good. Two key questions for me:</p><p>1 – How does the camera perform?</p><p>2 – What is the software update frequency/policy?</p>

    • peterh_oz

      05 October, 2018 - 2:05 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#349845">In reply to Winner:</a></em></blockquote><p>I have the Nokia 5. Monthly software updates about 10 days after the end of each month. So I got the Sept 1 Android update around Sept 10th. It's pure Android, no crap over the top, and buying outright means I don't have to rely on the phone (network) provider. </p>

      • Winner

        05 October, 2018 - 6:12 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#349906">In reply to peterh_oz:</a></em></blockquote><p>That's encouraging.</p><p>What about the camera?</p><p>How long are you expecting to get security updates?</p>

  • peterh_oz

    05 October, 2018 - 2:02 pm

    <p>Nokia makes great phones. Always have. I'm using one to write this! </p>

  • Patrick3D

    05 October, 2018 - 2:13 pm

    <p>It's also running Android One: 3 years of security updates and zero bloatware. I've got the Nokia 3.1 for now while I ween myself off of iOS. Kind of wish I went with the 6.1 for NFC support.</p>

  • NoFlames

    05 October, 2018 - 2:20 pm

    <p>I have the Nokia 6.1 and I'm disappointed coming from Windows Phone to Android. Performance is horrible. The phone has unpredictable lag when launching or tapping on any button. You don't know if it missed the press or is just slow. It turns out it's just slow. Then there is the camera app. Sometimes it launches but you can't take a photo. This is all too common. The workaround is to bring up the task view and kill it, then relaunch. This is unacceptable but I'm pretty sure this is just android. This experience is making me think that an iPhone is probably less headaches even though I hate the idea of owning an expensive iPhone. </p><p><br></p><p>Does anyone have similar experience with Android? Is there a magic amount of RAM and CPU that will make it perform well? The Nokia 6.1 has 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage.</p>

    • mrdrwest

      05 October, 2018 - 7:22 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#349920">In reply to NoFlames:</a></em></blockquote><p>I just pre-ordered the Nokia 7.1, but have my doubts about it.</p><p><br></p><p>As long as there's choice, I will never purchase ANY Apple products.</p><p><br></p><p>Android is a cesspool mobile OS, but is the better (???) of two evils IMO.</p>

  • colin79666

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2018 - 3:09 pm

    <p>It has a Snapdragon 63<em>6</em> SoC not 63<em>5</em>. Not sure about that, might have been better to cost £50 more for something with a little more power. This could replace my iPhone 7 since Apple have gone mad with the prices and stupid Face ID. I'd want to test a Nokia 7.1 first before committing as I have my doubts about how smooth even pure Android would be on that chip once a few things are running in the background. </p>

    • mrdrwest

      05 October, 2018 - 6:04 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#349935">In reply to colin79666:</a></em></blockquote><p>More power to do what, exactly?</p>

      • colin79666

        Premium Member
        06 October, 2018 - 4:17 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#350025">In reply to mrdrwest:</a></em></blockquote><p>Not stutter and lag. I tried Android on the Nexus 5 and 6 after the iPhone 4 but jumped ship back to Apple after that due to how laggy Android seemed to be compared to iOS. </p>

        • mrdrwest

          06 October, 2018 - 2:24 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#350146">In reply to colin79666:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>That's not a CPU issue, it's an Android OS issue. Early Windows Phone 7 System (SMH) smartphones were buttery smooth using less powerful CPUs. Adding a more powerful CPU will not address the issue, it's a long standing Android OS problem.</p>

  • mrdrwest

    05 October, 2018 - 6:36 pm

    <p>Just pre-ordered the silver unit from Amazon. </p><p><br></p><p>I feel dirty…</p>

  • sharpsone

    05 October, 2018 - 7:45 pm

    <p>I'm tired of dealing with carriers and a sore bum as the result of it. Getting one of these at launch. </p>

  • abdulla77

    Premium Member
    06 October, 2018 - 1:19 am

    <p>We need to emphasize it runs Android One out of the box.. and later this month it will be upgraded to Android Pie and it will have monthly patch updates (living with Samsung/Huawei phones in the past, that's a massive change!).. I'm really glad Nokia took the stock android route. I just wish they start exploring doing a flagship android one phone that competes well with the likes of Note9/iPhone XS … let's wait and see </p>

  • JudaZuk

    06 October, 2018 - 5:38 am

    <p>Sorry that top notch makes it a no go from the start. It does not matter what it does and how it looks otherwise. there is no excuse for having a notch in a screen like that….besides it is not a Nokia phone anyway. </p>

  • B Mallon

    06 October, 2018 - 5:05 pm

    <p>This post reads like a promotional ad. How do you know it is a gorgeous device? Have you seen it first hand? Having a headphone jack does not alleviate anything related to the notch. </p>

  • rejohnson

    Premium Member
    08 October, 2018 - 9:00 pm

    <p>Wish it was universally unlocked so I could use it with Verizon.&nbsp; Only carrier with decent service around the Willamette Valley south of Portland, Oregon.&nbsp; So many nice phones out there&nbsp;that only use GSM, but I've got to go with a quality connection since I actually do need the telephone feature (really!).</p>

  • Rob_Wade

    09 October, 2018 - 1:01 am

    <p>It just looks like every other Android phone. Nobody makes anything distinctive, not even Nokia. All boring, boring, boring.</p>

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