Nokia 7.1 review

24 October 2018
They say third time's a charm and indeed HMD did right by Nokia's legacy. Once the behemoth of the whole industry, it deteriorated to oblivion, only to be resurrected by Microsoft, and then fall again. Android One turned out to be the platform for Nokia to thrive once more and the latest Nokia 7.1 is the perfect example of how well things are going.

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  • Q
  • Qwerty2018
  • ijm
  • 26 Oct 2018

Anonymous, 26 Oct 2018In response to comments that Nokia doesn't make any good ph... moreI don't know if u really don't know or just feigned ignorant, but the reason Nokia 7+ get 'discount' on various retailers is because it is 'old stock' (5 months old) and they need to clear their warehouse of this junk because the price will flop even more as time goes by.

Moreover, MANY new Nokia's junk are already waiting to be added to the warehouse, that's why retailers give discounts & price-cuts, even cash back to any FOOLS buying this 'almost expired' device.

BTW, 7 plus with double glass sandwich is the most FRAGILE Nokia phone ever; it is a slippery & hard to grip, dirt-magnet. How can u say it is 'robust' when it can't even take a drop at all?

Why I use blunt words in replying ur comment? Because ur r TYPICAL fanboy who cannot accept the reality; NOKIA ALWAYS give ILLOGICAL price tag for their devices; when they DO offer cheap devices (x5), there are SOME catches (low-quality display, sub-par camera, meager battery, capped CPU & GPU, disabled Fast Charging, etc).

For the SAME SD660-powered devices, there are MANY BETTER devices around 200-350 euro, even half the price of the current Nokia 7+ price tag (Samsung A6s, Oppo Realme 2 pro, Gionee M7 Plus, Vivo V9 6GB, vivo V11, Vivo Z1, Xiaomi Mi Note 3, Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, Xiaomi Mi A2/6x, ZTE nubia Z18 mini)

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • BiU
    • 26 Oct 2018

    In response to comments that Nokia doesn't make any good phones - people really shouldn't comment unless they have owned one. So saying; after owning a range of Android phones I brought the Nokia 7 Plus in June and its an excellent phone, reminds me a lot of the old nexus range. Clean uncluttered android, regular updates and reasonably low cost are a major selling point.

    I've found the overall performance excellent (with no drop off in speed over time as I've suffered on some other devices) and the dual main cameras (which marry a 12mp wide angle to a 13mp 2x optic zoom lens) to be great producing excellent photos in all conditions (the Nokia camera software is also really good, giving full manual controls to the user if desired).

    The overall build quality is excellent and the design is, to be, highly attractive with the copper highlights. The battery live is great (a 3750MaH battery) and easily see's me through a normal day, with a fast charge option via USB C (which should be standard on all phones, but is sorely missing from a number of manufactures at this price point) for quick top-ups if required.

    To clarify the 7.1 is an upgrade to the old Nokia 7, not the Nokia 7 Plus (which is getting its own 7.1 Plus upgrade soon) and as such has a lower spec than the 7 Plus, I'm also not a fan of the notched display (the notch is a design compromise and as such I prefer the alternative approach adopted by Samsung and the 7 Plus of having a solid bar 'forehead') and prefer the 6inch screen on the 7 Plus (although the HDR on the 7.1 will be something I look for in future phones as long as they drop the notch).

    Overall Nokia, via its partnership with HMD, is making some very good, robust and well performing mid-range phones.

    Oh and while listed at £349 the Nokia 7 Plus is available for under £260 from various online retailers....I paid £279 a month after launch and its dropped since then, so the price isn't as high as some make out.

      • Q
      • Qwerty2018
      • ijm
      • 26 Oct 2018

      Lana , 26 Oct 2018Which one is better? Nokia 7Plus or Nokia 7.1.. Thanks Better buy NONE...

      NO Nokia device worth to buy (yet)...
      Unless the give something SIGNIFICANT (40MPcamera with CyberShot-ish camera features, monster SoC rivaling Kirin 980 (CPU) or Tegra X1 (GPU), collaboration with excellent Audio speciallist (Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, etc) to 'revive' XpressMusic with excellent DAC & earphone, foldable phone with NEVER SEEN BEFORE design, etc), NO Nokia devices are worth to buy (looking at their pace of introducing new devices, it won't be long until they become the 'Next' Samsung; slow in giving updates because the 'big' portfolio keep growing).

      The 'only' selling point of Nokia devices is Android 2 years' major update;
      Does it REALLY worth the extra FEW hundred dollars while the other things (SoC, camera, battery, display, etc) are (at most) mediocre?

      BETTER specs matters, MUCH MORE than 2 years update but mediocre specs!
      Popular devices with GOOD specs have MANY developers supporting the OS; even more than just 2 years (MIUI is the BEST example)

        • L
        • Lana
        • vCG
        • 26 Oct 2018

        Which one is better? Nokia 7Plus or Nokia 7.1.. Thanks

          • Q
          • Qwerty2018
          • ijm
          • 26 Oct 2018

          Essen, 25 Oct 2018So what's the difference between this and the 6.1 Plus? HDR... moreThe difference between 6.1 & 7.1 is in the EGO of the buyer; similar strategy as Crook who sell several iphails in the form of hierarchy; MEGA RICH sheeps will buy XS max, SUPER RICH sheeps will buy XS, PRETTY RICH sheeps will buy XR, RICH sheeps will buy last-year X, and RICH-'Wannabe' sheeps will buy 8 plus (8 at least).

          NO Nokia devices have decent 'price to performance' ratio.
          The x5 which once I think an exception, is actually made from cheapest Chinese-made parts available:
          - worst display quality & low resolution,
          - downclocked SoC just to make x6 & x7 look 'superior',
          - sub-par camera usually found in

            • c
            • caverunner17
            • kwh
            • 26 Oct 2018

            Anonymous, 25 Oct 2018Please, don't argue with me. You do not know what you are t... moreNone of the things you listed as Pros really matter to me

            - I've never used dual SIM and never need to
            - IR Blaster -- My LG G2 had that and I used it once or twice
            - FM Radio -- A few phones have had that and never used it. FM quality sucks compared to streaming actual digital music
            - Battery - As long as I can get through a complete day, I don't care.
            - I don't mind the notch

            Price is the only thing the Mi has going for it - the 625 is significantly slower than the 636 -- the 636 benchmarks similar to the 820 in multi-core. More importantly, the Nokia actually supports all of the US bands and has a warranty.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • gV4
              • 26 Oct 2018

              Anonymous, 25 Oct 2018Please, don't argue with me. You do not know what you are t... moreMarginally better? The processor in the 7.1 is 40% faster than the 625. Also, how does a phone release in 2018 without NFC? A $200 Xiaomi is not going to have a better build than a Nokia, you’re not fooling anyone.

                • E
                • Essen
                • EP%
                • 25 Oct 2018

                So what's the difference between this and the 6.1 Plus? HDR support? And there's no excuse for not bringing Pie. You introduce a phone with old software. Then consider an update to current software as one of your two updates. Super Android One programme. Expected better from Nokia.

                  I expected better. At least better battery life. But this is an average device.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • IW@
                    • 25 Oct 2018

                    Anonymous, 25 Oct 2018Pros of Mi A2 lite over 7.1: -Cheaper -I own one Here i ... moreNice try. But you can't change facts.
                    Both Mi A2 lite and Nokia 7.1 are midrange Android one phones
                    but one costing so much more with less to offer:
                    Pros of Mi A2 lite:
                    - DUAL sim with DEDICATED! (NOT hybrid!) micro sd card slot
                    - has IR blaster: MASTER remote - can control all your appliances!
                    - FM radio capability - can play local radio stations, no data needed!
                    - HUGE 4000mAh battery
                    - YOU can hide the notch using 'Nacho notch' app
                    - COSTS a lot less (200 EUR) vs. Nokia 7.1 (350 EUR)
                    - Better in build quality than Nokia 7.1

                    And by the way you're seriously wrong. I don't own the Mi A2 lite
                    or plan on ever getting one. I'm just helping buyers make the right choice.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • jIa
                      • 25 Oct 2018

                      If one of the listed phones is not available in all same countries then its not a competitor.

                        • K
                        • Kris
                        • SHp
                        • 25 Oct 2018

                        J, 25 Oct 2018" 3GB/4GB RAM, 32GB/64GB storage " Not in Europe, appare... moreIn Europe market will be mostly 4GB RAM/64 GB ROM

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                          • Daprofessor
                          • MKK
                          • 25 Oct 2018

                          "There is no notification LED, though."

                          Isn't this supposed to be a given? Sorry HMD, thanks but no thanks.

                            When Nokia 7.1 is going to release in India?

                              • r
                              • rowny
                              • xZA
                              • 25 Oct 2018

                              Will you people ever learn how to read. This is not an improvement over the 7 Plus, but over 7. A 7.1 Plus will come later.

                                AnonD-632062, 24 Oct 2018Pretty decent phone with a good camera. Could have done wit... moreGood camera? You probably haven't seen good camera, being busy commenting and rating yourself.

                                Another generic and bland phone from HMD with god-awful camera.

                                  • K
                                  • Kowal
                                  • 6k%
                                  • 25 Oct 2018

                                  Anonymous, 25 Oct 2018Pros of Mi A2 lite over 7.1: -Cheaper -I own one Here i ... moreIf you live in Europe inexpensive Xiaomi phones have one important drawbach, they do not have NFC. I personally love this feature because I use it for Google Pay. I do not need to carry my wallet when going for a lunch.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • gxM
                                    • 25 Oct 2018

                                    Anonymous, 25 Oct 2018Please, don't argue with me. You do not know what you are t... morePros of Mi A2 lite over 7.1:
                                    -Cheaper
                                    -I own one
                                    Here i edit it for you, now its more accurate and yes those two advantages are actually unbeatable

                                      • b
                                      • bug
                                      • pXm
                                      • 25 Oct 2018

                                      1. There's literally no worse way to build a phone than a 2.5D glass sandwich. Build is not a pro of this phone.

                                      2. HDR is a buzzword of the day, but HDR10 is a standard for input signal, it doesn't mean the display can actually output HDR.

                                        Looks nice, but the naming is kind of weird. The name suggests some incremental improvement over Nokia 7 plus, but it's actually a cheaper phone with lower specs.

                                        And the chin is kind of big. All of the phones that are suggested as alternatives in the review have significanly smaller chins. (and better specs too)

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