The strongest cheap smartphone from Nokia! Nokia 7.1 review
A big comeback for that Nokia?
So-called cheap smartphones that can be bought for 30,000 yen or 40,000 yen are fine, but they are cheap. With that in mind, there may be a lot of people who can't get their hands on a SIM-free smartphone.
But the US Gizmodo editorial department has a smartphone "Nokia 7.1" released by Nokia, oh? It seems that I can not hide my surprise that this is a high-quality cheap smartphone that can be used properly. We bring you a review from reporter Sam Rutherford.
Nokia 7.1
What is this? : Highly recommended cheap smartphone
Price: $350 (about 40,000 yen)
Pros: Elegant design. stable perfection. Android One. Good camera for this price range. There's also a headphone jack.
Unfortunately: operating carriers are limited. Battery life is average. SIM free model only. Android 9 is planned to be supported, but it is not yet decided.
Early this year, Huawei surpassed Apple to become the world's second-largest smartphone maker. This was certainly a big change in the ranking, but there is a manufacturer that made a bigger jump than that. And unlike Huawei, which was unknown until a few years ago, that Nokia that everyone has heard about is the true identity of the manufacturer!
The brand name is famous, but Nokia's smartphones in recent years have followed an unfortunate development. About two years ago, Nokia returned to Finland, where it was founded, when Finnish startup HMD Global took over from Microsoft. However, since then, it has steadily increased its presence and is now ranked among the top 10 smartphone manufacturers again. The contribution of the new smartphone Nokia 7.1 seems to be quite promising, and I feel like I can understand why Nokia is trying to make a comeback.
The Nokia 7.1 seems to have all the specs and features you'd expect at this price point for just $350. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 636 processor delivers decent performance.
4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage capacity are the same specs as the minimum configuration model of Google's smartphone "Pixel 3". Moreover, the microSD card slot and headphone jack, which have been discontinued in many high-priced models recently, are also standard equipment.
The USB-C port is equipped with a monaural speaker on the bottom, but the only disappointing thing is the lack of waterproof performance. However, in this price range, there are not many models with IP level compliant waterproof performance.
Despite its low price, the Nokia 7.1 doesn't look cheap. The main body is made of basic glass, and the sides are made of aluminum.
However, the edges are diamond-cut, and the contrast with the midnight blue and stainless steel body colors gives it a luxurious feel. Even compared to cheap smartphones such as the "Moto G6" in a similar price range, such design perfection is not seen so much.
Nokia's bright FHD+ displays support HDR 10. In other words, when playing videos from YouTube, Netflix, and other services, it looks the best among smartphones in the same price range. Moreover, even if the content is not compatible with HDR, it has a built-in function to convert it into a more vivid image, so you can still enjoy beautiful images.
The disappointing thing about the Nokia 7.1's display is that most smartphones with notches have added options to make the border less noticeable, but no matter where you look, the Nokia 7.1 has that notch. There is no specification that makes it inconspicuous. That said, there are various useful apps out there, so with the help of a third party, it seems like those who are concerned about this can solve the problem.
On the back, there is a 12-megapixel main camera and a 5-megapixel sub-camera, allowing you to take more depth effect photos and beautiful portrait mode photos. The Pixel 3 certainly doesn't compare well, but the Nokia 7.1 holds up pretty well. The daytime shots are especially stunning, and this Christmas tree photo is at a level that can compete with the Pixel 3.
While the Nokia 7.1's photos have been mediocre at times, the Pixel 3 isn't always perfect either.
When it comes to low light, the Pixel 3's HDR+ performance really shines, but the Nokia 7.1 does well, too.
Nokia 7.1 participates in Google's Android One program, so you get a near-clean Android OS. No extra bloatware pre-installed. Updates and security patches are delivered directly from Google. Unfortunately, however, Nokia 7.1 still runs Android 8.1. It was supposed to be upgraded to Android 9 at the end of last month, but I'm still waiting for an answer from Nokia about when to upgrade.
Honest impression after using it for a while is that there is not much to criticize. If anything, was there room for improvement in battery life? When I ran a battery consumption test, most smartphones lasted over 10 hours, but the Nokia 7.1 only lasted 9 hours.
One thing that bothers me a little is that, unlike the Moto G6, the Nokia 7.1 is SIM-free only and can only be purchased from shops like Amazon and Best Buy. Plus, it doesn't support CDMA networks, so it won't work with carriers like Verizon or Sprint. In other words, it means that the user base is limited, and it is not possible to purchase a new phone from a carrier on an installment basis to reduce the initial cost.
That being said, for those looking for a smartphone with this level of perfection at a reasonable price, it's an excellent model, typical of Nokia, the king of mobile phones in the late 1990s and early 2000s. There is no doubt about that. You can get a bare-bones smartphone with a solid build and all the features you need for $350 even at the pre-discount list price. Isn't this wonderful?
Summary
・The design of the notch makes it stand out, so it's perfect for users who like notches, and it can be hidden with a third-party app.
・As a smartphone that supports HDR 10, it will be in the lowest price category. It has a built-in conversion function that reproduces content that does not support HDR as more beautiful images.
・Only compatible with GSM networks such as AT&T and T-Mobile.
・It's a fairly average battery life with a battery lasting just over 9 hours.
