Nokia 8.1 review android authority

The latest Nokia smartphone to go global is here. HMD Global is pushing the Nokia 8.1 as a mix of value for money and flagship imaging. The Android One powered handset has a number of key features including Zeiss optics, an HDR10 screen and long battery life.

I’ve spent a week with a review device, and while this isn’t a full discussion, there are a few key points about the Nokia 8.1 I want to talk before the handset goes on sale in the UK next week.

You Can Easily Spot A Nokia

The Nokia 8.1 is clearly a ‘Nokia’ device. Given that the vast majority of smartphones follow the same pattern of a large glass screen, featuring a notch, and a glass back, both mounted on a central chassis; this characteristic should not be ignored. HMD Global is building up a brand as much as it is building up sales. Brands need identity and the Nokia 8.1 confirms that the visual identity is in place.

I’m still not sold on the numbering scheme being used. The lineage of the Nokia 8.1 shows that this handset is the global variant of the Chinese Nokia X7. If you assume that the Nokia 1 (running Android Go) is the lowest model, and the presumptively named Nokia 9 (assumed to be launching next month at MWC 2019 with a penta-lens rear camera) is the highest model, then you have a model which is seen as a ‘7’ in some regions and an ‘8’ in others.

The core specifications, feature set, and price all suggest that this is a ‘7’ handset, and I was expecting it to be called the Nokia 7.1 Plus, complementing the Nokia 7.1 which was launched in early November 2018 - the key difference being the larger screen on this model. Assuming that we do see the Nokia 9 in February, then HMD Global will have all the numbers ‘refreshed’ within a twelve month window (the Nokia 8.1 following on from the Nokia 8 Sirocco announced at MWC 2018).

The Camera Is Still The Star

Another part of the identity of Nokia has been the camera. With a dual Zeiss lens setup at the rear paired with a dual color temperature double LED flash, the Nokia 8.1 has impressive optical hardware, especially at this price point.

The camera software has been improved, and thanks to the AI powered scene detection software the low-light capabilities has been improved. Throw in optical image stabilisation and the new Sony sensors, and there is a marked improvement over last year’s Nokia 7 Plus (arguably the like-for-like comparison in the HMD Global portfolio). Colors are a bit more vivid, pictures have less noise, and more detail and edges are picked up in low light conditions.

You still have the Nokia ‘bothie’ mode which allows video to be recorded (or live streamed) from both cameras in one mixed image, as well as easy access to all the professional settings. If you’re looking to move beyond simple ‘point and shoot’ camera software in your smartphone, the Nokia Camera app remains one of the best UIs if you are look for a ‘Pro’ mode.

No Chasing Ultimate Specifications

i raised my metaphorical eyebrow at the specs sheet. With the smartphone built around the new SnapDragon 710 system-on-chip the top tier ‘8’ designation for this Nokia handset - even with the option of 6 GB and 128 GB of storage (a 4 GB / 64 GB variant is also available) - feels a touch ambitious. I presume that the upcoming ‘ultimate’ handset will move up to the SnapDragon 845 or 855 chipset.

What does the slightly lower 710 chipset mean for the Nokia 8.1? First of all it has lower power requirements so extends the battery life. The handset is marketed as having two-day battery life, an that’s achievable, but of course heavy use of streaming media, or game playing, will impact on that figure. For regular use with some lightweight games, social media, and online work the two-day goal can be met. if you charge at night then the Nokia 8.1 is not going to surprise you by running out of power.

The SnapDragon 710 is really capable in the regular mix of apps, helped of course by good management of applications when they move to the background. Unless you are indulging in a game of spec sheet Top Trumps, the step down in processor is not going to be an obvious issue.

While it might not push the envelope with specifications, stepping back slightly from the cutting edge allows for a competitive price of 449 Euros (£379.99 in the UK). For that you get a handset that has the looks to match the competition, a balance of power against practicality, and one of the best cameras at this price point.

When the Nokia 7 Plus debuted earlier this year, it became one of the best phones in the mid-range segment. That continues to be the case even now, but the Snapdragon 660 is getting a bit long in the tooth, and with devices that cost half as much offering the chipset, it's time for an update.

And that's what you're getting with the Nokia 8.1. The phone isn't an upgraded variant of the Nokia 8 as its name would suggest; it instead is a direct replacement for the outgoing Nokia 7 Plus, and by extension HMD Global's value flagship as we head into 2019.

The Nokia 8.1 retains a lot of the design traits that made the Nokia 7 Plus a success, and like the rest of HMD's portfolio, the device runs Android One out of the box. The phone does offer upgrades in key areas: the Snapdragon 710 chipset provides a significant boost in performance over the Snapdragon 660, the rear camera now has OIS, and the screen facilitates HDR10 content. With competition intensifying in this category, let's see if the Nokia 8.1 has what it takes to stand out.

Pros:

• Gorgeous design
• Excellent performance
• Improved cameras
• Android One
• Two-day battery life

Cons:

• Sizable notch
• No wireless charging
• No IP rating

About this review

I (Harish Jonnalagadda) am writing this review after using the Nokia 8.1 for ten days in Hyderabad, India. The phone was paired to Jio's 4G network, and was running Pie out of the box with the November 1, 2018 security patch. It didn't receive any updates over the course of the review period. HMD India provided the unit for review to Android Central.

Nokia 8.1 Design and hardware

The Nokia 8.1 is a refinement of the design aesthetic that we first saw on the Nokia 7 Plus. Like its predecessor, the Nokia 8.1 is also milled out of a single chunk of series 6000 aluminum, and it has diamond cut edges and a sand-blasted finish. HMD retained the two-tone finish — with a chrome accent running along the sides of the frame on my unit — and it adds flair to an otherwise mainstream design.

A key change when it comes to design is the glass back, and as a result the phone loses out on the grippy texture that made the Nokia 7 Plus so good. HMD managed to cut down on the height by adopting a notch at the front, and that has allowed the brand to offer a larger 6.18-inch panel in a chassis that's shorter than the Nokia 7 Plus.

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The Nokia 8.1 also comes in a new Iron/Steel color variant that looks gorgeous. The burgundy color shines through the glass back and is clearly visible around the sides, and the chrome accent contrasts the dark hue very well, with the phone looking every bit as premium as "true" flagships. The accent color extends around the mid-frame and the camera housing, as well as the Nokia logo.

With a two-tone finish comprising of burgundy and steel, the Nokia 8.1 looks gorgeous.

Even though it has a glass back, the Nokia 8.1 exudes a sense of durability. The device also has perfect weight distribution, and while it's missing the textured finish of its predecessor, it feels great to hold in-hand.

Power and volume buttons are located on the right, and they offer great tactile feedback. The fit and finish in general is top-notch, and you don't get the feeling that HMD compromised in terms of quality. The Nokia 8.1 also has a 3.5mm jack located up top, and a single speaker at the bottom.

HMD is extending its PureDisplay tech to the Nokia 8.1, with the phone just the second from the brand to offer the feature. You'll be able to adjust the color temperature and contrast levels to your liking, and it comes with a blue light filter and the ability to adjust brightness automatically based on ambient lighting.

The 6.18-inch has a resolution of 2280 x 1080, and the panel itself is one of the best you'll find on a sub-$400 phone. It offers vibrant colors and excellent contrast levels, and it is also compatible with HDR10 content. Color saturation isn't quite as good as an AMOLED display, but that is to be expected. The Nokia 8.1 gets sufficiently bright that using the screen under harsh sunlight wasn't an issue.

My only problem with the screen is that it isn't polarized; if you're wearing sunglasses, you won't be able to see anything on the display. This seems like an oversight from HMD's part considering budget phones offer polarized screens.

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SpecsNokia 8.1Screen6.18-inch FHD+ (2280x1080) IPS LCDChipsetSnapdragon 710RAM4GB/6GB LPDDR3XStorage64GB/128GB, MicroSD slotSoftwareAndroid 9.0 PieRear Camera 112MP, ƒ/1.8Rear Camera 213MPFront Camera20MP, ƒ/2.0SecurityRear fingerprintBattery3500mAhChargingUSB-C (18W)ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11 ac, BT5.0, FM radioColorsBlue/Silver, Iron/SteelDimensions154.8 x 75.7 x 7.9mmWeight180g

With the display supporting HDR10 content, HMD is positioning the Nokia 8.1 as a multimedia device. To that effect, the speaker at the bottom is one of the loudest I've seen on a phone to date. Although it is a single speaker, it doesn't get distorted at high volume, and there's even a little bass coming through. That said, a stereo speaker would have made the Nokia 8.1 an even better option.

The Nokia 8.1 is available with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and HMD is also selling a variant with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There's also a MicroSD slot that can take in cards up to 400GB, and you get the usual slate of connectivity options: Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and AptX. As is the case with most HMD phones, you also get an FM radio tuner that lets you access local radio stations.

The fingerprint sensor at the back is just as reliable and fast as any other device in this segment, and I faced zero issues in this area. The sensor is located right where your index finger usually rests, so you'll be able to access the sensor without any hassle whatsoever.

Even though the battery on the Nokia 8.1 is lower than that of its predecessor, I got well over a day's worth of usage from the 3500mAh battery. With medium usage, you'll easily be able to eke out two days from a full charge. I averaged over five hours of screen-on-time spread out over the course of 16 hours, and the battery never fell under 30%.

Performance

There was a time when Qualcomm's naming convention made sense: the Snapdragon 4xx and 6xx series was aimed at the budget and mid-range segments, and the 8xx series catered to the high-end market. With the Snapdragon 636 — and even the 660 — increasingly featured in devices costing as low as $250, Qualcomm came up with the Snapdragon 7xx series to cater to the mid-range segment.

The market is getting crowded in the $300 to $500 space, and Qualcomm is similarly adjusting to the needs of manufacturers by fleshing out its mid-range offerings. The Snapdragon 710 is particularly interesting as it offers a similar set of cores as the flagship Snapdragon 845 but at a lower price point.

The Snapdragon 660 was notable for making Qualcomm's semi-custom Kryo cores accessible to a wider audience, and the Snapdragon 710 continues in the same vein. Essentially, the chipset has two Kryo 360 high-performance cores based on the Cortex A75 that are clocked up to 2.2GHz, and six Kryo 360 cores based on the Cortex A55 that go up to 1.7GHz.

The Snapdragon 710 offers nearly the same level of performance as the Snapdragon 845.

The Snapdragon 710 leverages ARM's new DynamIQ heterogeneous architecture, which is an updated take on big.LITTLE that allows for more flexibility in multi-core designs. Think of the Snapdragon 710 as a lite variant of the Snapdragon 845 — it uses the same cores but at different frequencies, and it is built on the same 10nm LPP node.

The Snapdragon 710 also has the Adreno 616 GPU, which is the first time we're seeing the Adreno 6xx series being offered outside the high-end Snapdragon tier. The Adreno 616 is touted with a 35% increase in performance over the Adreno 512 in the Snapdragon 660, and Qualcomm is quoting a 20% increase from the Kryo 360 cores over the previous generation. Elsewhere, you get the same Hexagon 685 DSP as the Snapdragon 845, and the Spectra 250 ISP offers sizable gains in image processing.

The Nokia 8.1 Plus retails for the equivalent of $390 in India, or ₹10,000 ($145) less than the OnePlus 6T, and while the Snapdragon 710 isn't quite as fast as the Snapdragon 845, you won't notice the difference in day-to-day usage. Qualcomm has done a remarkable job with the mid-range chipset, and in most use cases the Snapdragon 710 is just as fluid as the 845. The only real difference shows up when you play demanding games like PUBG for an extended duration — the 845 is able to offer better sustained performance.

Nokia 8.1 Software

Like the rest of HMD's portfolio, the Nokia 8.1 is based on Android One. It is also the first HMD phone to run Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. As we've seen in the past, HMD has done a magnificent job ensuring it rolls out consistent updates to its portfolio of devices. Right now, it is one of very few vendors that consistently roll out updates on timely basis.

The software experience itself should be immediately familiar if you've used an Android One phone in the past. There's no bloatware, and all the new features that debuted with Pie are present. The key change on the interface front is navigation gestures — the Nokia 8.1 offers the new Pie-based gestures as the default option.

Android One ensures the Nokia 8.1 will be the first to receive updates.

You essentially swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the overview pane, and there's a slider that lets you quickly toggle from one app to the next. A double swipe lets you access the app drawer, and the back button only shows up when needed. It takes a few days to get acclimated to the new gestures if you're coming from a device running Oreo or older.

New features like Digital Wellbeing and App Actions are available out of the box, and the former is particularly useful if you're looking to cut down on the amount of time you use your phone. There's also a system-wide dark theme, and a battery saver mode that learns from your usage patterns.

I had a few issues with Gboard after setting up the phone; but a reinstall fixed the problem. Aside from that, the Nokia 8.1 was a delight to use. As I mentioned above, the Snapdragon 710 feels just as fast and fluid in day-to-day use as the Snapdragon 845, and the Nokia 8.1 holds up to the likes of the OnePlus 6T and the POCO F1 in this regard.

Nokia 8.1 Camera

HMD has retained the same 12MP + 13MP camera configuration as the Nokia 7 Plus, but with a few key changes. The main camera now offers OIS, and the secondary sensor offers depth information for portrait shots. The changes when combined with the Spectra 250 lead to much better photos in low-light shooting scenarios.

There's a new camera interface that lists all shooting modes in a ribbon above the shutter button. The pro mode lets you adjust the white balance, shutter speed, exposure, and focus mode, and HMD has retained it Bothie feature that lets you take photos from both the front and back cameras simultaneously.

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The Nokia 8.1 takes great photos in daylight scenarios, and it manages to do a decent job in low-light conditions as well. With the secondary sensor now solely focused on providing depth information, the phone takes great portrait shots.

Nokia 8.1 Bottom line

The ₹20,000 ($280) to ₹30,000 ($420) segment was under-served in previous years, but with the budget segment getting crowded, manufacturers have started getting more aggressive in the mid-range category.

Because of its pricing, the Nokia 8.1 will invite comparisons with the likes of the POCO F1, Vivo V11 Pro, Honor 10, and even the ₹37,999 ($535) OnePlus 6T. What sets the Nokia 8.1 apart is its software — committing to Android One was a masterstroke from HMD, and the clean software combined with fast updates differentiates the Nokia 8.1 from the rest of the sub-₹30,000 phones.

The Nokia 8.1 delivers excellent value for your money.

The Nokia 8.1 doesn't offer some of the newer features that we've seen over the course of the year — there's no face unlock, nor do you get an in-display fingerprint sensor. That's not a bad thing at all considering the state of in-display sensors, but I would've liked to see face unlock on the device. The phone also misses out on water resistance and wireless charging, but then again, so do most of the other devices in this segment.

The elegant design coupled with the robust hardware makes the Nokia 8.1 hold its own in this category. There aren't many Android One phones in the mid-range segment, and for those looking for an cluttered software and fast updates, the Nokia 8.1 will be the default option in 2019.

The Nokia 8.1 is slated to make its way to global markets, but for now, it doesn't look like the phone will be available in the U.S. That's a real shame, because there are few $400 phones that offer quite as much value for your money as the Nokia 8.1.

4.5 out of 5

HMD has once again shown that it understands the mid-range segment, and the Nokia 8.1 is a great phone that nails the fundamentals. It is missing out on a few extra features, but at its core it is a robust device that offers excellent performance.

HMD is kicking off sales of the Nokia 8.1 in India later this month, with other markets to follow. The base variant of the device with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage will be available for ₹26,999 ($380).

See at Nokia

Harish Jonnalagadda is a Senior Editor overseeing Asia at Android Central. He leads the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, contributing to reviews, features, and buying guides. He also writes about storage servers, audio products, and the semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.

Is Nokia 8.1 stock Android?

Priced at ₹26,999, Nokia 8.1 offers stock Android Pie and powerful Snapdragon 710 processor.

Is Nokia 8.1 compatible with Android 12?

Nokia 8.1 is not supposed to get Android 12. The device came with Android 9 and already received its two guaranteed OS upgrades. It will continue to receive monthly security patches until December 2021.

Why Nokia did not opt for Android?

Cord spreads the blame for Nokia's fall onto former CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, and the company's faulty organisational structure. According to the book, the reason Nokia declined to switch to Android was because Samsung was much stronger and executives were afraid to compete against them in that ecosystem.

Will Nokia 8.1 get Android 11?

Nokia 5.3 and Nokia 8.1 may be the next in line to receive the latest version of Android. The two phones were spotted on Geekbench running Android 11. According to reports, the update should be available to users later this month. As Nokiamob points out, Nokia 8.3 5G recently received the Android 11 update.