Nokia 2 Review: The Not So Perfect Yet Serious Contender

After much speculations and a series of leaks, Nokia 2 has finally been launched with a price tag of 99 Euros (Rs. 7465 approx.) and now, HMD Global seems to have built up a strong line-up of Stock-Android smartphones, ranging from entry-level to mid-budget offerings like Nokia 3,5 and 6 to the premium flagship Nokia 8.

While there is nothing new in Nokia 2, what the brand’s resurrection has been all about is offering the best package at a very competitive price and the latest addition to the line is no different.

From 6000 series aluminum frame for a sturdy build to a polycarbonate back for character, the Nokia 2 does look from a higher segment and the vibrant 5-inch display, as well as Stock Android, give the device a somewhat of an edge over its competitors like the Redmi 4A, Redmi 4, Moto E4, Moto C Plus, Honor 6A and even the likes of Canvas Infinity as well as Lenovo K6 Power which is available with heavy discounts.

But is it enough to stand out in an already competitive segment and will Nokia 2 bring the same sales numbers as the Redmi series had brought to Xiaomi? Let’s see!!

Nokia 2 Specifications

• 5-inch (1280 x 720) HD LTPS LCD In-Cell Touch display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, offering 217 PPI.

• 1.3 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 212 SoC with Adreno 304 GPU

• 1GB LPDDR3 RAM and 8GB internal memory, expandable up to 128GB with microSD

• Android 7.1.1 Nougat, upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo)

• Dual SIM support and dedicated microSD slot

• 8MP rear camera with PDAF, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12um and LED Flash

• 5MP front-facing camera with f/2.2 aperture and wide angle lens

• Splash-proof (IP52) rating

• 3.5mm audio jack and FM radio with RDS

• Dimensions: 143.5 x 71.3 x 9.30 mm

• 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth v4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS/ A-GPS and Micro-USB

Nokia 2 Price And Availability

While the goes on sale from mid-November globally at a price of 99 Euros (Rs. 7465 approx) the device will be offered in Pewter White, Pewter Black, and Copper Black colors. Its Indian price is expected to be unveiled as the device comes closer to the launch date.

Nokia 2 will also be available in single SIM option in some markets.

Nokia 2 Review

What we like in Nokia 2

• Stock Android has to be one of the biggest attraction of Nokia 2 as this has made HMD’s entry-level smartphone the only device with pure Android in this segment, especially in Asian markets.

• The massive 4100mAh battery can easily withstand 2 days of moderate usage

• The 5-inch display is one of the brightest and the phone has collected some substantial points here. While the viewing angles are great, visibility under direct sunlight is also up to mark.

• Nokia 2 doesn’t look like an entry-level smartphone from any angle, at least from the cover. Supreme confidence is what this device offers and it also looks good in one’s hand.

• Both the rear and front cameras offer great low-lighting photography and the primary unit can seriously match the results of its 13MP counterparts, if not better.

What we didn’t like in Nokia 2

• To differentiate the Nokia 2 from Nokia 5, HDM has offered the device with just 1GB of RAM.

• While the 8GB internal memory is somewhat of a shock, Nokia 2 compensate the same with a dedicated microSD slot.

• There is no fingerprint scanner.

• Snapdragon 212 SoC, although is a battery efficient processor, it is not the one for heavy users.

Verdict

Nokia 8 isn’t a smartphone for the ones who love playing heavy games or need to multitask with big applications. Rather it is a device which shows what lies ahead in the game called smartphones and this is something it really does well.

With stock Android, one of the most vibrant displays in the segment, exceptional performance of cameras and great build quality as well as design, Nokia 2 does live up to the expectations when it comes to multimedia consumption, but with an under-powered hardware, it isn’t recommended for the potential buyers looking for performance credentials.