Best Nokia phones 2021: find the right Nokia smartphone for you
The best Nokia phones out there are typically aimed at those looking for a budget to mid-range Android device that focuses on durability and dependability. However, in recent times, Nokia has also released a few more premium phones too.
Our ranking of the best Nokia phones is mostly unchanged for now but check in regularly as it’s likely that the Nokia 10 we’re expecting to see sometime in 2021 will change all that. While few details have emerged yet (right down to the lack of an official name), it looks like it’ll be a premium flagship device that will reportedly sport the yet-unannounced Qualcomm Snapdragon 875 chipset
Nokia phones are now made by fellow Finnish company HMD Global, which licenses the use of the Nokia name, but the Nokia 10 could be when we see a resurgence for the once well-loved brand.
In the meantime, there are several other quality Nokia smartphones that offer simple design along with strong, clean Android software. Each is a solid choice if you want a phone that will last a good three years thanks to amazingly frequent software updates.
We’ve fully reviewed each of the phones here and listed the pros and cons so you can see which has the best features and price for your needs and budget.
Best Nokia phones 2021 at a glance:
- Nokia 9 PureView
- Nokia 8.3 5G
- Nokia 6.1
- Nokia 7.2
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Nokia 8.1
- Nokia 5.3
- Nokia 8
Best Nokia phones 2021
(Image credit: Nokia)
1. Nokia 9 PureView
Nokia’s newest flagship smartphone
Specifications
Release date: February 2019
Weight: 172g
Dimensions: 155 x 75 x 8mm
OS: Android 9
Screen size: 5.9-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2880
CPU: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 3,320mAh
Rear camera: 12MP, 12MP, 12MP, 12MP, 12MP
Front camera: 20MP
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Eye-catching five camera cluster+Decent photos for sub-flagship price
Reasons to avoid
-Middling other features-Not a comfortable hold
The Nokia 9 PureView is Nokia’s most recent flagship phone, and it comes with cutting-edge features to match. In particular, it comes with one important feature (or five depending on how you count it) in the form of its five-sensor rear camera, which is the most we’ve seen in a smartphone.
It’s not exactly an expensive phone either, compared to some of the flagships you can buy today, so if you want a photographic smartphone powerhouse without taking a chunk out of your bank account, this may be the phone for you.
The Nokia 9 PureView has problems, as most phones do, but it represents the best Nokia has to offer right now.
Read our in-depth Nokia 9 PureView review
Today’s best Nokia 9 Pureview deals
(Image credit: HMD Global)
2. Nokia 8.3 5G
A respectable entry into the 5G market for Nokia
Specifications
Release date: October 2020
Weight: 220g
Dimensions: 171.9 x 78.6 x 9mm
OS: Android 10
Screen size: 6.81-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Snapdragon 765G
RAM: 6GB/8GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB
Battery: 4,500mAh
Rear camera: 64MP + 12MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 24MP
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Good display +3.5mm headphone jack
Reasons to avoid
-Annoying Google Assistant button -Small storage size for some
The Nokia 8.3 5G offers some strong specs for the price with a large 6.81-inch display that’s ideal for watching movies while on the move or playing games. With a chunky battery lfe, it’ll last you all day too, even if you are enjoying that extra screen space to its fullest.
There’s a dedicated Google Assistant button that invariably gets in the way and proves annoying, but otherwise, the Nokia 8.3 5G is reasonably well designed if unremarkable looking. Similarly, while the camera setup sounds impressive on paper, the macro sensor is rather mediocre so we wouldn’t recommend this one for avid photographers.
Still, the Nokia 8.3 5G is an ideal Nokia-flavored option if you’re desperate to try out 5G. With its strong battery life and large display, it should keep most people happy, despite its flaws.
Read our in-depth Nokia 8.3 5G review
(Image credit: Nokia)
3. Nokia 6.1
A low-tech but hardy phone
Specifications
Release date: April 2018
Weight: 172g
Dimensions: 149 x 76 x 8mm
OS: Android 8
Screen size: 5.5-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
CPU: Snapdragon 630
RAM: 3/4GB
Storage: 32/64GB
Battery: 3,000mAh
Rear camera: 16MP
Front camera: 8MP
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Durable yet attractive+Generous HD screen
Reasons to avoid
-Solo rear camera-Battery just about lasts a day
While the Nokia 6.1 doesn’t quite have all the bells and whistles of the other Nokia handsets above, it’s still a great device – especially given many of the downsides we could attribute to it wouldn’t realistically be expected on a phone of its price.
It’s a tough device with a robust design and strong frame – fans of solid and secure phones will love the Nokia 6.1’s durability.
It also packs some pretty impressive specs for its low price, with a competent chipset and splendid screen – yet its camera loadout isn’t as impressive as it could be.
Read our in-depth Nokia 6.1 review
Today’s best Nokia 6.1 (2018) deals
(Image credit: Nokia)
4. Nokia 7.2
A solid if unexciting phone
Specifications
Release date: September 2019
Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm
OS: Android 9
Screen size: 6.3-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2280
CPU: Snapdragon 660
RAM: 4/6GB
Storage: 64/128GB
Battery: 3,500mAh
Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 5MP
Front camera: 20MP
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Strong main cameras +Good performance
Reasons to avoid
-Bad wide-angle camera-Very slow to charge
The Nokia 7.2 is a solid mid-range phone, but it struggles to stand out in the sea of Nokia Android devices. That said, it has smooth performance, a premium design and good quality main cameras.
Unfortunately the wide-angle camera is not up to scratch, which is disappointing when that can be a fun shooter to use. It is also a very slow phone to charge up and isn’t waterproof.
But the Android One version of Android 9 Pie is a godsend, with attractive stock design and a guaranteed two years of OS updates and three years of security updates, which is as good as the Google Pixel line.
Read our in-depth Nokia 7.2 review
(Image credit: Nokia)
5. Nokia 7 Plus
A middleweight marvel
Specifications
Release date: March 2018
Dimensions: 158 x 75 x 8mm
Weight: 183g
OS: Android 8.1
Screen size: 6-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2160
CPU: Snapdragon 660
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 3,800mAh
Rear camera: 12MP, 13MP
Front camera: 16MP
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Pure Android+Good camera
Reasons to avoid
-Mid-range CPU-Camera struggles in low-light
The Nokia 7 Plus is exactly what you’d imagine from a Nokia handset, in that it’s half the price of a flagship from its era yet it comes packed out with all the features you’d expect.
In particular the handset has an impressive camera loadout for its price, and can last for a long time under heavy use. There are drawbacks to the phone too, but it’s still an impressive Android device.
Read our in-depth Nokia 7 Plus review
Today’s best Nokia 7 Plus deals
(Image credit: HMD Global)
6. Nokia 8.1
Once the best Nokia phone you could buy
Specifications
Release date: December 2018
Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 155 x 76 x 8mm
OS: Android 9
Screen size: 6.2-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2280
CPU: Snapdragon 710
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 3,500mAh
Rear camera: 12MP, 13MP
Front camera: 20MP
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Well built design+Large, clear display
Reasons to avoid
-Not waterproof-Lacks wireless charging
The Nokia 8.1 was our favorite Nokia phone until the Nokia 9 PureView and Nokia 8.3 5G came along – it’s a competent mid-range device offering up a tried-and-tested Snapdragon 710 chipset, functional camera, and adequate battery, all for a relatively low price.
For such a low-priced phone you’ll certainly be impressed by its screen, with 2280 x 1080 Full HD+ and an 81% screen-to-body ratio, and an elegant design to match.
It’s by no means a powerful smartphone, and it won’t rival high-end models in terms of specs of functions, but at its price band it’s a tempting device.
Read our in-depth Nokia 8.1 review
Today’s best Nokia 8.1 deals
(Image credit: Nokia)
7. Nokia 5.3
Cheap phone holds its own
Specifications
Release date: April 2020
Dimensions: 164.3 x 76.6 x 8.5mm
OS: Android 10 Android One
Screen size: 6.55-inch
Resolution: 720 x 1600
CPU: Snapdragon 665
RAM: 2/3/6GB
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 4,000mAh
Rear camera: 13MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 8MP
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Great price +Good cameras
Reasons to avoid
-Average performance-Iffy display
Considering it only costs £149 the Nokia 5.3 performs well with a Snapdragon 665 and Android One, the bloatware-free, clean version of Android that guarantees you two years of updates.
The screen isn’t great though at only 720p, and you won’t want to go anywhere near high-end mobile games as the phone will likely struggle. But the cameras are surprisingly decent and the clean, simple design is a perk.
With a rear mounted fingerprint sensor, headphone jack, and decent battery life, this is by no means a bad phone, but be aware that while it handles the basics well you won’t want to push it too hard.
(Image credit: Nokia)
8. Nokia 8
Old school cool
Specifications
Release date: October 2017
Weight: 160g
Dimensions: 151 x 73 x 8mm
OS: Android 7
Screen size: 5.3-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2560
CPU: Snapdragon 835
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 3,090mAh
Rear camera: 12MP, 13MP
Front camera: 5MP
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Beautiful design+Gorgeous QHD display
Reasons to avoid
-Launch price is higher than we’d expect-Not waterproof
Nokia phones are often reliable handsets that lack any defining or distinctive features, and the Nokia 8 is a prime example of this. It looks great, with an impressive display and beautifully designed body, but many of the other features could be defined as ‘fine’.
The dual cameras were acceptable in 2017 when the phone was released, and features like the 3.5mm headphone jack and physical front button which used to be commonplace but aren’t any more, may appeal to users who like these features.
With the Nokia 8 you’re getting a solid handset that won’t let you down, but won’t be an icebreaker at parties either.
Read our in-depth Nokia 8 review
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