Nokia 5.1, 3.1 and 2.1 hands-on review

29 May 2018
It's been less than two years since HMD Global was founded. Yet the Finland-based company already has an almost fairytale-like success story unfolding around it. Even though the company still refers to itself as a "start-up", it mace out of a funding round earlier this month, with a $100 million in fresh investments and an impressive valuation of a cool billion dollars.

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  • MG7
  • gMx
  • 30 May 2018

Anyone knows if helio p18 is manufactured using 16nm or 12nm process.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • 80g
    • 30 May 2018

    Homersan, 30 May 2018Don't really understand all the bashing of these phones... ... moreThat is very true!
    You can get faster hardware from other devices, but nobody seems to give this good support and more durable phones at these prices!
    If anyone who I know would be looking for new phone I would recommended Nokia phone.
    If the user is tinkerer and not afreid of some problems and poor support, the something else could be on the list.

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      • Tim
      • pa9
      • 30 May 2018

      This phones remember me the LG Q and K series. Hiper-expensive phones for what it offers. Or in other words laughable specifications for the price. Pay $$$ be happy for the brand logo written in your phone and better don't compare them with competitors at the same price and the ones of your friends to not feel like a fool after do it.

      Another interesting thing is how they mix components, the cheaper has two essential components better than the most expensive although the rest are crap. But the most expensive that you think is better in all, because you pay more a lot more and its not. Confunding customers about the real value of the product and about all devaluing it while you are asking the highest price imaginable. All models are confusing and overpriced.

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        • Anonymous
        • b4c
        • 30 May 2018

        they just need to work a little harder on the design.......

          Don't really understand all the bashing of these phones...
          In terms of price/quality ratio, you're getting a good deal on either one of these.

          I think Nokiah/HMD is really moving forward with this new wave of clean android smarthpones. For general users, which make up for probably 80% of everyone out there you can give them one of these and they're in the clear for the next 2 to 3 years.

          Just bought the Nokia 6.1 for my wife, who's among the 80%, and she couldn't be happier.
          Keep in mind, her previous smartphone was a Samsung Galaxay Grand Neo she got from her father (which is probably one of the worst devices I've ever had to give support on!). (https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_grand_neo-5958.php).

          But, my point is, there is soooo much cheap crap out there, even from big brands like Samsung and in the end, for me, when you're on a budget and you can't afford the highest specs.... go for a device that has clean android and regular updates (No unnecessary bloatware!!). All these boxes are checked by the new devices from Nokia/HMD so I'll advice anyone looking for a quality budget phone to at least check these out.

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            • Anonymous
            • dWg
            • 30 May 2018

            These new phones are better without doubt, but I'm not impressed.
            Except maybe new 5 aka 5.1. It's good offer , I think.

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              • Anonymous
              • nDi
              • 30 May 2018

              Have you MediaTek complainers forgot about this:

              “MediaTek has partnered with Google for its GMS Express program. GMS Express is a program designed by Google to provide approved Android software solutions, including Google Mobile Services (GMS) and Google Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) certification, to device makers.”

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • KgW
                • 30 May 2018

                AnonD-122899, 30 May 2018Well, Xiaomi anniversary phone is coming. It will be much m... moreNokia had a great first year in the market. Maybe it's not felt yet by many. These new phones offer premium build quality and design, maybe not your cup of tea but surely others are.

                  AnonD-122899, 30 May 2018Well, Xiaomi anniversary phone is coming. It will be much m... moreXiaomi is good, but Nokia is better when talking about security and major updates. :)

                    JJ, 30 May 2018Many people buy such phones. Having been in mobile industry... moreAbsolutely correct.

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                      • Anonymous
                      • KgW
                      • 30 May 2018

                      Geric.770, 30 May 2018I hope these phones will not be a failure when released in ... moreThe Nokia 2.1 will sell tons for sure. Decent specs w/ great Nokia build quality. Nokia 3.1 is nice too.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • KgW
                        • 30 May 2018

                        Anonymous, 30 May 2018Hahaha.. These butthurt commenters are the laughing stocks.... moreTrue! Nokia is here to stay wether they like it or not. And not all people prefer samsung, iphone, etc. These xiaomi stans are it it again. Go buy them to your hearts content. Lol

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • KgW
                          • 30 May 2018

                          ZloiYuri, 29 May 2018almost fairytale-like success story only for people who nev... moreDon't spread fake news it's 2018 and info's are just a few clicks away. HMD Global (from Finland) owns the rights to use the Nokia brand. Foxxcon is the manufacturer of Nokia phones. Get your facts straight.

                            • J
                            • JJ
                            • pu8
                            • 30 May 2018

                            r33fd, 29 May 2018More useless low end. Who buys such things ?Many people buy such phones. Having been in mobile industry for nearly 2 decades, I can tell you by facts, than 90% of features/performance in the devices is never used.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-122899
                              • QXP
                              • 30 May 2018

                              Geric.770, 30 May 2018I hope these phones will not be a failure when released in ... moreWell, Xiaomi anniversary phone is coming. It will be much more interesting than these 3 models for sure. Even the normal Redmi Note 5 looks much better than these. Nokia really need to up their games to catch up with the competitors, especially the Chinese makers.

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                                • 89
                                • 3b1
                                • 30 May 2018

                                definitely better than any phone released in past whit same price. i canot understand why new sim card wont work in old nokia phones anymore, they should be more secure than android. sad but all my purchased nokia samsung lg phones are broken. and my money getting lower and lower.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • tDQ
                                  • 30 May 2018

                                  KMB877, 29 May 2018FYI - HMD can use the NOKIA brand name for 10 years. They s... moreHopefully Nokia Corp. buys HMD

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • tDQ
                                    • 30 May 2018

                                    HMD's line-up seems messy this year. Alternatively they could have gone like this:
                                    Nokia 8 Sirocco (SD 835/845)
                                    Nokia 7 plus (SD 660)
                                    Nokia X6 (SD 636 with notch)
                                    Nokia 6.1 (SD 636 no notch)
                                    Nokia 5.1 (SD 630)
                                    Nokia 3.1 (SD 450)
                                    Nokia 2.1 (SD 450 with smaller display and res)
                                    Alas, HMD uses MediaTek... I also suspect that Nokia X6 is merely to try competing with Xiaomi and Asus, with their cheap SD 636 devices.
                                    Anyway, these new phones are clearly not for tech-savvy folks. Their target consumers are those who use smartphones merely for social media and little to no games.

                                      AnonD-122899, 30 May 2018These are such boring phones..... Even Xiaomi ones are much... moreI hope these phones will not be a failure when released in my country. Most people still buy Samsung, iPhones, and Xiaomi here. :|

                                        • K
                                        • Kangal
                                        • uCX
                                        • 30 May 2018

                                        None of these offerings wow me --except the Nokia 2.1 if they can get that to India, Central Asia, Africa, and South America by the tens of millions for pennies.

                                        People out there will be well served with Stock Android, a coloured screen, a camera, and a long battery life. Again, this device is only good if they can make A LOT of them and sell them cheap for the really poor people looking to update their Symbian phones.

                                        PS The article is wrong that Cortex A53 is more efficient than a Cortex A7. It's the other way, the Cortex A7 uses much much less power than the Cortex A53 but it is slower. The A53 has the advantage of a more modern performance and support for 64-bit Apps. However, I think these 28nm Octacore A53's need to die off. We should instead look for 14nm Seven Cortex A35's with a Single Cortex A75 DynamIQ SoC. Average cost will be almost the same, but performance increases around +70%. MediaTek come on, get on it before Qualcomm.

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