Nokia 3.1 review

Alternatives

Android One is one very lucrative gang to be part of - the only one to offer smooth vanilla Android experience and timely updates on the cheap. The Nokia 3.1 is a fine specimen of the Android One series - it's a compact device that runs well the latest Android and costs about €150. And it's a Nokia - name that's still sort of a magnet thanks to all the history behind it.

There is just one issue - Xiaomi is also part of the Android One playground and since then it's been tough for the competition. Take the latest Mi A2 Lite for example - it is priced at €180 and offers a high-res nearly bezel-less screen with a notch, fast Snapdragon 625 chip, more RAM and storage, a dual-camera on its back, a large 4,000 mAh battery with 10W charging, a fingerprint scanner, and even a metal body. We can't argue with this feature set, can we?

The last year's Mi A1 model now also costs around €180, too. It's a lot like the Mi A2 Lite sans the cool screen, but its secondary rear camera is not just for depth info, it's a high-res 12MP one with a telephoto lens. The Mi A1 Android 8.1 update was delayed a bit, but other than that - it's still a worthy purchase. It should be looking at another year of guaranteed OS updates.

The Redmi 5 may not be running vanilla Android, but it has a bigger screen, more powerful chipset, larger battery, and a fingerprint scanner on its back. If available in your market - it would cost as cheap, or even cheaper than the Nokia 3.1.

Same for the Oppo Realme 1 - it's a great looking plastic device that's cheaper than the Nokia 3.1. But it has a large 1080p screen, a way more powerful Helio P60 SoC, more storage, and a bigger battery. The Realme 1 is a bargain in India and we doubt any Xiaomi or Nokia has a chance against it.

Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite (Redmi 6 Pro) • Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X) • Xiaomi Redmi 5 • Oppo Realme 1

The all-metal Huawei P Smart costs about €170 and while it's not an Android One smartphone, it's one with some very tempting specs. There is a high-res 1080p screen, a dual-camera on the back, more powerful processor with more RAM, and a feature-rich EMUI interface.

The Moto G6 Play is also an option with its splash-resistant glass body. It has a bigger 5.7" screen with the same resolution as the Nokia 3.1's, comes with a larger battery, and has a LED flash next to its selfie camera. The rest is pretty much the same as on the Nokia. The Moto G6 Play isn't an Android One smartphone, but Motorola is trying to keep its Android as vanilla as possible, too.

Finally, the Galaxy J7 (2017) will offer you a high-res AMOLED screen and metal body, a better main camera with brighter lens, and a high-res selfie snapper with a LED flash. It has a larger battery but is an equally unimpressive performer as the Nokia 3.1. And the J7 is aging, so we expect it out of Samsung's updates lists sooner rather than later.

Huawei P smart • Motorola Moto G6 Play • Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)

The Verdict

The Nokia 3.1 surprises with a solid build and compact design, something the old-school Nokia fans would appreciate. The 3.1 design and its tall screen are obvious upgrades over the Nokia 3 and it's worth jumping over just because of those looks and trendy display.

The performance has been doubled since the Nokia 3, which is a very welcome update, though it falls short from what the competition has to offer. The 3.1 feels sluggish than other recent Android One phones and while we could argue that's acceptable for the price, other makers will show you better bang for the buck devices.

Pros

• Good screen with a modern aspect ratio
• Solid build, very compact body
• The 13MP main camera takes good photos day and night
• Part of the Android One program

Cons

• Sluggish chipset
• Disappointing battery life
• The selfie camera is a downgrade
• 3GP video format is outdated
• Not that competitive pricing

The Nokia 3.1 is not a bad device, on the contrary - it's a well-designed and balanced smartphone. It's just that the competition has more attractive offers to earn your cash. But if HMD considers a minor price drop and thus moves the Nokia 3.1 to a lower price tier, then it would be a nice beginner's device.