HMD Global today unveiled a new entry-level smartphone, the Nokia 2 at an affordable price of Rs. 7,500. The new Nokia 2 comes with a 5-inch display, 8MP and 5MP cameras and Snapdragon 212 processor, taking on the likes of the Xiaomi Redmi 4A.
We got our hands on the Nokia 2 and here is our quick review of the latest and most affordable Nokia phone from HMD Global so far.
Nokia 2 Specifications
| Key Specifications | Nokia 2 |
| Display | 5-inch IPS-LCD display |
| Screen Resolution | 720 x 1280p |
| Operating System | Android 7.1.1 Nougat |
| Processor | Quad Core |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 |
| GPU | Adreno 304 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Internal Storage | 8GB |
| Expandable Storage | 128GB via microSD card |
| Primary Camera | 8MP with LED flash |
| Secondary Camera | 5MP |
| Video Recording | Yes |
| Battery | 4,100 mAh |
| 4G VoLTE | Yes |
| Sim Card Type | Dual SIM |
| Dimensions | 143.5 x 71.3 x 9.30 mm |
| Weight | – |
| Price | Rs. 7,500 |
Physical Overview
Starting with the front of the phone, the Nokia 2 sports a 5-inch HD display with on-screen navigation buttons. There are thick bezels on the front and the fingerprint sensor is not there. The top bezel has Nokia branding on the right along with the earpiece and front-facing camera.
Coming to the back, the Nokia 2 comes with a series 6000 Aluminum build. The rear camera with flash is vertically placed at the top-center. There is Nokia branding at the center back and a speaker grille is present on the bottom-right.
The right side of the Nokia 2 houses the volume rockers and lock button. The left side of the phone remains blank and the SIM card goes in the back after removing the back panel. The overall compact build of the Nokia 2 makes it easy to hold and feels good in hands.
The earphone jack is placed on the top and you can find the Micro USB port at the bottom of the Nokia 2.
Display
The Nokia 2 comes with a 5-inch HD (720 x 1280p) resolution LTPS-LCD display with Gorilla Glass 3. Being an entry-level phone, it is the basic offering from HMD which is good. The display comes with good viewing angles thanks to the LTPS LCD panel.
The display on the Nokia 2 is responsive and exhibits no lag. Indoor and outdoor visibility are both very good considering the price of the phone. All in all, this is a very good quality display.
Cameras
Featuring an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera, the Nokia 2 makes a good offering when it comes to optics. Nokia has made certain optimizations too and especially pointed out the image quality during launch.
Hardware
Being an entry-level offering, the Nokia 2 comes with basic specifications. The phone is backed by a Snapdragon 212 quad-core processor with Adreno 304 GPU. This combination is coupled with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage, with an option to expand the storage up to 128 using a microSD card.
HMD had previously launched the Nokia 3 with a MediaTek processor, so going back to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon offerings for the entry-level could seem a little surprising. However, using a Snapdragon chipset should help HMD with providing updates faster.
Software and performance
Running Android 7.1.1 Nougat out-of-the-box, the Nokia 2 may soon also get Android 8.0 Oreo update. Nokia is also one of the fastest in providing updated security patches for their smartphones. Juho Sarvikas, the company’s Chief Product Officer earlier confirmed that all Nokia products will be updated to Android 8.0 Oreo, so users can rest assured about it.
With a Snapdragon 212 processor and 1GB RAM, the Nokia 2 handles basic tasks smoothly. The phone can be used for moderate usage as well but prolonged gaming or heavy usage may not be as smooth with the Nokia 2.
Battery and Connectivity
Powered by a big 4,100 mAh battery, the Nokia 2 should theoretically last more than a day on a single charge. Basic connectivity options include WiFi, Bluetooth, Micro USB, 3.5mm earphone jack, and GPS.
Pricing and availability
The Nokia 2 is priced at Rs. 7,465 and will go on sale Globally starting mid-November. The global price of the phone is decided to be 99 Euros.
At this price, the Nokia 2 is the most affordable offering from Nokia. With good specifications at this price, the Nokia 2 competes with the Redmi 4A which offers a better processor. However, with Nokia, you get stock Android with fast updates which is good.
