Nokia 6.1 Review: The best budget phone for this year is not without disadvantages

The budget area is definitely filled with some amazing options. From Honor 7X, which is very capable to the newly released Moto G6, the trapped buyers enjoy many wonderful phones to choose from. However, as much as these devices impressed in the past few months, Nokia 6.1 of HMD Global has exceeded all my expectations of $ 300.

On paper, it seems certainly a mark on all boxes. Although it is a great device, which is the best device of less than $ 300, it is not without its mistakes. Like other Nokia devices, the performance of the camera is average at best. Although it contains a lot of high smartphone features in Echelon, HMD decided to go to the 16: 9 screen, which is not a bad thing. Just be ready for the chunky border.

The perfect budget continues to overcome us, if such a thing is really present, but Nokia 6.1 is very close to its focus on simplicity and obtaining the basics correctly (mostly) – and it can do so with only $ 269.

Specifications

Goodness

Not very good

Design, devices and what is in the box

Unlike the glass trend that we are witnessing flowing to the budget devices, such as the Moto G6, HMD has chosen minerals for all minerals for Nokia 6.1. Watching with the nokia Brand reputation for a long time for durability, this phone is designed like the tank, ground from one block of the 6000 aluminum chain. From the moment you get out of the box, you immediately know that this thing is strong. From the cold metal frame to the soft touch coating on the back (which captures fingerprints and stains very easily), this phone can survive a lot of punishment, all while it looks great. HMD did a great job in capturing the feeling of industrial design in Nokia; The black/copper unit that I received is great in accuracy and simplicity.

The buttons sit on the right side of the phone, with the surrounding metal accent. Each printing printing gives a hard click, although a little less travel than I like it personally, but they wear again quickly after going out. At higher, you will find a 3.5 mm headphone socket and a SIM/SD card tray on the left. Below along the bottom is the USB-C port and the amazing little speaker. The sound it places is a plate and it is very easy to cover the headphone when holding the phone, whether in the image and the landscape.

Its fluctuation, you will see the Zeiss Optics camera with elliptical floors and dual flash matrix. Below this is a fingerprint sensor, which is somewhat fast and somewhat accurate, very far from my ideology. Often press my finger on the flash at the bottom of the oval camera instead of the reader itself. After long phones like Pixel 2 XL and OnePlus 6, it took me a few hours to adjust.

HMD decided to stick to a 16: 9 width for Nokia 6.1, which is necessarily bad. The edges are very huge, however, they look like a phone for a few years. The 5.5 -inch LCD screen is fine, although it will not dazzle you or anything. Colors lack any kind of vitality or pop, but at least become bright enough to use outdoors.

Nokia 6.1 Snapdragon 630 SOC, compared to Moto G6’s Snapdragon 450. Unfortunately, the American version of this phone is limited to 32 GB of EMMC 5.1 and 3 GB of RAM (compared to 64 GB/4 GB International), not to mention the absence of CDMA support. It is very safe to assume that these decisions were to keep the price less than $ 300. However, the performance is very good.

On the side of the program, you can get Android 8.1 stocks. This phone is part of Android One, which means a clean and light experience, in addition to two years of programs and three years of Google safety updates. And a 3000 mAh battery keeps Nokia 6.1 Chugging along – it made it easily during a day with moderate to heavy use with a 40 % battery left or so. I could reach the second day if I was keen.

Currently, only 32 GB/3 GB of Nokia 6.1 is available in the United States, as mentioned above. You will have your choice of black/copper, white/white/blue/gold options. The retail box is only what you may expect for a budget phone and includes bare objects such as SIM, basic wireless shakes, carbon/cable, and the usual set of brochure.

Camera samples

Below is a sample exhibition with the Nokia 6.1 camera. In bright daylight, it produces pictures of good details and colors. When the light begins in the dim, like inside and as the sun sets, things become a little strangest. The images become foggy and likable whenever they are darker, especially since there is no Ois on board.

Our ruling: Should you buy it?

Yes, if you are on a GSM carrier. Whether you are looking for a phone to meet a more strict budget or want an inexpensive backup, Nokia 6.1 is definitely the person to go with. At $ 269, you will not find a better value at the present time, unless you really want more RAM or 2: 1 – in this case, you may be happier with Honor 7X or Moto G6. Obviously, if your budget is more flexible, OnePlus 6 is a great option starting from $ 529.

Nokia 6.1 gets a lot of things properly. Its specifications are not only first for the price point, but also the Android One, which really helps to reduce the anxiety in most budget phones (even Motorola, unfortunately). He is also good and wonderful, and he is wearing a very attractive industrial design with the right amount of taste to make it unique.

The biggest defect in Nokia 6.1 is the camera, which is expected. The absence of Ois really hinders things, especially in low light. Most of the internal/night shots appeared foggy (since I have no stable hands), and the pills were a problem. One thing I will give to the camera is that the shock is somewhat fast in most situations, with any barely delay. You can also get a “Bothie” job from HMD – where the phone uses the front and rear cameras simultaneously – if this is something interested in it.

Nokia 6.1 is not a pioneer by any means, but it definitely accomplishes the task and does so with his unique style and careful taste. For $ 269, it’s the best phone in its chapter, despite its disadvantages.

Purchase it if …

You want an inexpensive and reliable phone, he will do everything you need without delay, stuttering or crashing. At the same time, you still want things like USB-C, headphone socket, and fingerprint sensor. The average camera may not care, or you will not notice a 16: 9 screen with a chunky frame. Nokia 6.1 is also a great backup phone, if needed.

Do not buy it if …

You want to burn rapid performance, stellar images, and the latest design trends such as glass bodies and long shows, all far away from $ 269 Nokia 6.1. You may be fine with everything that this phone offers, but the lack of CDMA support is to break a deal for you. In this case, I would like to face you to Moto G6.