Nokia 2020 announcements – 8.3 5G, 5.3 and 1.3 4G

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

https://youtu.be/aM3kPYj_Grw