Nokia 2020 announcements include .3-series of its popular Finnish designed handsets.
Before we get into the details of Nokia 2020 announcements, it is time for a word from a usually not-so-grumpy-old journalist. If anyone claims 5G is blazingly fast and the world’s saviour (as Nokia did) then I am going to a) be sick and b) call it out.
Nokia, 5G is not the panacea; it is no damned faster than 4GX/Plus LTE here and Nokia’s 8.3 5G uses the slower and less featured Qualcomm 765G SoC and X52 modem – hobbled to around half the speed of its SD865/X55 Gen 2 modem seen in flagships. So no, Nokia, it is not fast and its not 5G future-proofed.
What is a Qualcomm SD765G and its X52 modem?
It is a 2020 765G System-on-a-Chip designed for mid-range 5G handsets. It is an evolution over the 2019 SD730 4G platform. BTW there will also be a lower cost SD730G but no plans for 5G in the SD6xx or lower series.
It has 2.3 and 2.4Ghz versions, Adreno 620 GPU, Wi-Fi AX (ready), BT 5.0 (SBC and aptX Adaptive), NFC, GPS, and USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 on a single chip.
The X52 Gen 2 modem (depends on the phone model and what licencing fees are paid to Qualcomm) supports the Australia n78 sub-6Ghz band and some international mmWave bands. That is more than an X50 Gen 1 sub-6Ghz only modem found on 2019 handsets like OPPO Reno 5G, Samsung S10+/Note10 5G and LG V50 dual screen.
Qualcomm claim a theoretical sub-6Ghz maximum DL of 3.7Gbps and UL of 1.6Gbps. Preliminary tests show it may reach somewhere between 100-500Mbps DL and 50-100Mbps UL on our crappy sub-6Ghz 5G hoax perpetrated on Australia.
Nokia 2020 Announcements include
Nokia 8.3 5G
Let’s inject a dose of clarity – The Nokia 8.3 is a mid-range smartphone. Nokia has announced the price is €599 that at today’s rate will be about A$1199.
- Screen: 6.81” 2400 x 1080, 386ppi, 20:9 IPS
- Qualcomm SD765G SoC
- RAM/Storage 6 or 8GB and 64/128GB/microSD
- Rear Camera: 64MP, f/1.9 primary (binned 16MP), 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 2MP depth sensor and 2MP macro, 4K@30fps, EIS but no OIS
- Front camera: 24MP (binned 6MP), both front and rear with ZEISS mid-range optics
- 4500Mha battery and 18W charging
- 3.5mm combo audio port
- Wi-Fi 5 AC (not 6 AX), BT 5.0 and GPS (no mention of NFC but most likely)
- Single and dual sim options dependent on the country (no eSIM)
- 171.9 x 78.6 x 9 mm x 220g x Polar Night colour (metal frame and painted back)
- Google Android 10 –2 x OS updates, 3-years system and security patches
Specs-wise it is unremarkable for an SD765 phone (see some of the coming releases here), but we are yet to review it. Price-wise A$1100+ is not terrific value but don’t blame Nokia – our Aussie dollar is in the toilet so we may see price pressures on all brands.
GadgetGuy’s take – we like Nokia gear, but there will be SD765 products from Samsung, OPPO, realme, vivo, Motorola Xiaomi and more that may take the shine of this device.
Nokia 5.3 4G
A mass-market phone at €189 (A$399) that takes the Nokia 8.3 round camera ‘bump’ and makes it a Nokia hallmark.
- Screen: 6.55” 1600 x 720, 278ppi, 20:9, IPS
- Qualcomm SD665 SoC
- RAM/Storage 3/4/6GB (depends on the market) and 64/microSD to 512GB
- Rear Camera: 13MP, f/1.8 primary, 5MP ultra-wide, 2MP depth sensor and 2MP macro,
- Front camera: 8MP, f/2.0
- 4000Mha battery and 10W charging
- 3.5mm combo audio port
- Wi-Fi 5 AC, BT 5.0 and GPS (no mention of NFC – unlikely)
- Single and dual sim options dependent on country – bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 and 28 (at least)
- 164.3 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm x 185g x Cyan, Sand or Charcoal (composite frame and painted back)
- Google Android 10 –2 x OS updates, 3-years system and security patches
GadgetGuy’s take – nice design but success in this very competitive market space will depend on features – bang-for-buck. Again we caution that brands like OPPO, realme, vivo, Xiaomi and others aim to rule this segment. OPPO’s current A9 at $399 has
- Same processor, 4/128GB
- Similar screen
- 48MP (binned) quad camera, gyro EIS, Ultra-wide lens and Ultra Night mode 2.0
- 5000mAh battery with reverse charging
- Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos
- NFC
It is going to be a tough segment where Nokia’s fan base needs to step up.
Nokia 1.3 4G
An entry-level phone at €95 (A$199) where competition is fierce from Mintt, Alcatel, realme, vivo and many more.
- Screen: 5.71” 1520 x 720, 295ppi, 19:9, IPS
- Qualcomm SD215 SoC
- RAM/Storage 1GB and 16/microSD to 400GB
- Rear Camera: 8MP
- Front camera: 5MP
- 3000Mha removable battery and 5W micro-USB charging
- 3.5mm combo audio port
- Wi-Fi 4 N, BT 4.2 and A-GPS (no mention of NFC – unlikely)
- Single and dual sim options dependent on country – bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 and 28
- 147.3 x 71.2 x 9.4 mm x 155g x Cyan, Sand or Charcoal (composite frame and painted back)
- Google Android 10 GO –2 x OS updates, 3-years system and security patches – requires GO edition apps
GadgetGuy’s take – Nokia 1.3 seems a well-made entry-level phone.
What more can I say – here Nokia’s reputation may win over other brands but a ‘hobbled’ Android GO, a positively ancient 28nm processor and micro-USB make it hard to recommend.
Other Nokia 2020 announcements
It is bringing back another ‘original’ – the 5310 4G at €95 (A$79).
HMD is finalising an HMD Connect Global Roaming sim to offer fixed price roaming in 150+ countries.
And it is stoked to be official phone partner for the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die
I really love my (original) Nokia 8 but after nearly two years the battery is now really struggling so am wondering what to eventually replace it with. The 8.3 looks amazing but way too expensive and I don’t I need all the bleeding-edge features, let alone 5G (I’m not a heavy streamer or game player) on my phone. So what could I replace it with that costs maybe $600-$700 max and runs straight Anrdoid? I just want a really good all-rounder with no skins or bloatware (had my fingers burned with rubbish phone OS’s), great screen, dual-sim (must have this), good performance, good sound and good battery life and something that has good support from the manufacturer (like Nokia does). Any suggestions? (I’m in Australia too.)
Nokia is the brand I most hope to see ‘win’ – resurrecting it was a bold move. The 8 Sirocco was its high-end effort (not flagship effort and it was OK – not perfect). The 8 Sirocco was flawed and the 8.1 got back on track. But Nokia is up to the .3 generation, e.g. 8.3 and that is going to be a 5G at around $1000. So if you want Nokia I would wait for the 7.3 and it should be $499/599 ish.
If you want pure Android then you are limited. The Google Pixel 3a is a 2018 model $649 but has very small 64GB storage.
Motorola has a G8 Plus that is pretty good at $449 scoring 5/5 in our review. But I would throw Pure Android to the wind (sacrilege) and grab the LG G8S ThinQ right now at $499 http://www.gadgetguy.com.au/wordpress/lg-g8s-thinq-smartphone-on-499-runout-at-jb-hi-fi/