Table of Contents
amazon Nokia 1 reviews
Design and Build Quality
Build and Materials
The Nokia 1 features a polycarbonate body, which is a common choice for budget smartphones due to its durability and cost-effectiveness. The back panel of the Nokia 1 is removable, which allows users to access the battery, SIM card slots, and microSD card slot. This modular design is a throwback to older Nokia phones and provides a practical benefit for those who like to have control over their phone’s internal components.
Dimensions and Ergonomics
With dimensions of 133.6 x 67.8 x 9.5 mm and weighing just 131.8 grams, the Nokia 1 is compact and lightweight. The phone is designed to fit comfortably in one hand, making it easy to use for extended periods. The device has a somewhat chunky feel due to its 9.5 mm thickness, but this contributes to a solid grip and a feeling of sturdiness.
Display
The Nokia 1 is equipped with a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. This low resolution translates to a pixel density of around 218 pixels per inch (PPI), which is not very sharp by modern standards. However, considering the phone’s price point, this display is adequate for basic tasks like browsing and texting. The colors are somewhat muted, and the viewing angles are limited, but the screen is bright enough for outdoor use.
Design Aesthetics
The Nokia 1 has a simple, no-frills design. It features a standard 16:9 aspect ratio and a physical navigation button below the display. The front-facing camera and earpiece are placed above the screen, while the rear houses a single camera module and the Nokia logo. The phone is available in several vibrant colors, including Warm Red, Dark Blue, and more, allowing users to choose a model that suits their personal style.
Nokia 1’s strength is its software – it runs Android Go, a fully-featured version of Android exclusively for low-profile devices.
With the advantage of saving system resources, Nokia 1 is expected to be the most smooth experience in the price range. So what is the reality?
Android Go – great software platform for cheap smartphones
If you are someone like me and a pure Android fan of Google, you will definitely feel very excited about Android Go. When other manufacturers try to integrate as much feature into their software as possible, a gentle Android Go, which includes only the most essential things that users really need, really brings a Very new experience.
Not only gentle, Nokia 1 also running the latest Android version Oreo 8.1, with security patch 4/2018 is also the latest. This is something that even many high-end machines can’t do, and it’s worth it to praise HMD Global.
We have a thorough analysis of Android Go’s differences that you can refer to here. Overall, with a cheap device and a weak configuration like Nokia 1, Android Go is a very suitable choice. I hope other manufacturers can also learn HMD Global to bring Android Go to more devices.
But, how good the software is cannot “save” a bad hardware
Although I really like Android Go, I can’t recommend that users own Nokia 1. The reason is that its hardware is not good enough for anyone to feel satisfied.
Nokia 1 configuration:
– CPU: MediaTek MT6737M
– RAM: 1GB
– ROM: 8GB (memory card support)
– Screen: 4.5 inches, 480×854, IPS
– Main camera: 5MP, does not support auto focus, movie recording 480p
– Secondary camera: 2MP
– Battery: 2150mAh
– Connection: microUSB, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n, Bluetooth 4.2, supports 2 SIM
Performance and Software
Hardware Specifications
Under the hood, the Nokia 1 is powered by a MediaTek MT6737M quad-core processor, clocked at 1.1 GHz. This is paired with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 128 GB via a microSD card. The hardware is fairly modest, reflecting the phone’s budget-oriented nature.
Operating System
The Nokia 1 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition), which is a lightweight version of Android optimized for low-end devices. Android Go is designed to run smoothly on smartphones with 1 GB of RAM or less, and it comes with optimized versions of Google apps like Maps Go, Gmail Go, and YouTube Go. The software experience is quite fluid for the most part, with minimal bloatware and a near-stock Android experience.
Performance and Usability
Given its entry-level specs, the Nokia 1 is best suited for light usage. It handles basic tasks such as calling, texting, and light browsing without much trouble. However, it struggles with more demanding applications and multitasking. Apps may take longer to load, and occasional stuttering can be experienced when switching between apps or using more intensive applications. The phone’s performance is acceptable considering its price, but users should manage their expectations regarding speed and responsiveness.
Camera Quality
Rear Camera
The Nokia 1 features a 5 MP rear camera with an f/2.4 aperture. This is a basic camera setup, and it shows in the results. The camera performs reasonably well in good lighting conditions, producing acceptable images with decent color accuracy. However, in low-light situations, the performance drops significantly, with images becoming noisy and lacking detail.
Front Camera
On the front, the Nokia 1 has a 2 MP camera for selfies. The front camera is even more basic, and while it is sufficient for casual video calls and quick selfies, the image quality is quite poor. Details are often lost, and noise is prevalent in most images.
Camera Software
The camera software on the Nokia 1 is straightforward and easy to use. It includes basic features such as photo and video modes, but there are no advanced options like manual controls or extensive editing tools. For users looking for a simple camera experience without additional bells and whistles, the Nokia 1’s camera software is sufficient.
where can you get a Nokia 1 online
Nokia 1 – Android One (Go Edition) – 8 GB – Dual SIM LTE Unlocked Smartphone (AT&T/T-Mobile/MetroPCS/Cricket/H2O) – 4.5″ Screen – Dark Blue: Buy it now
The biggest problem of Nokia 1 is its performance. Although running an optimized operating system for devices with weak configurations, don’t forget that there are still 2.8 million applications on the Play Store. Not every application will have a “Lite” version for weak configuration machines, and not all developers will spend time and effort to optimize the application on low-cost devices.
When using the basic features of Android as the main screen, the accompanying applications (Phone, Message …), the device runs quite well. However, when it comes to third-party applications, it seems to be quite slow. This is especially obvious for the game, when popular titles like CrossFire Legends, Lien Quan Mobile are all very low fps and can be said to be impossible to play. Overall, the Nokia 1 is only suitable for casual games, and for performance requirements games, this device is completely inappropriate.
In addition, Nokia 1 has a lot of hardware limitations that no software can fix. In particular, all three factors considered the most important of a phone today are design, screen and camera are cut to the maximum.
This machine is made entirely of plastic. Although Nokia tried to “compensate” with a variety of colorful colors, it did not make the cheap feeling disappear. The only possible plus of this design is the removable back and battery cover, making this the only rare device on the market that users can easily change the batteries themselves.
The Nokia 1’s screen, although advertised as IPS, is probably the lowest quality IPS screen you (or manufacturers) can afford. With a modest resolution of 480×854 and a pixel density of 218ppi, the characters shown for sharpness are not high.
Another problem I have is a modest 4.5-inch screen, but Nokia uses a virtual navigation key, making it even smaller. The limited display area makes it difficult to enter data using virtual keyboards, touch small icons or entertainment needs.
Nokia 1’s 5MP main camera gives very fast focusing speed, simply because it … can’t focus. Since focal lengths cannot be changed, users will only be able to capture common scenes without being able to get close to the object. To be honest, the only plus point of this camera is that it … can take pictures, but in terms of quality, no one can be satisfied, even with the most easygoing people.
Battery Life
Battery Capacity
The Nokia 1 is equipped with a 2,150 mAh removable battery. This is a relatively small capacity by modern standards, but it is adequate for the phone’s low-power hardware. The removable battery design is a nice touch, allowing users to carry a spare if needed.
Battery Performance
In terms of battery life, the Nokia 1 generally performs well. With light usage, such as calling, texting, and occasional browsing, users can expect to get through a full day on a single charge. More intensive usage, such as streaming videos or playing games, will drain the battery more quickly, and users may need to charge the phone by the evening. Overall, the battery life is reasonable for a phone in this price range.
Connectivity and Additional Features
Connectivity
The Nokia 1 supports basic connectivity options, including 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS. Unfortunately, it does not support 4G LTE, which can be a drawback for users who require faster mobile data speeds. Wi-Fi performance is generally stable, and Bluetooth connectivity works well for pairing with wireless devices.
Additional Features
The Nokia 1 has a standard set of sensors, including an accelerometer and proximity sensor. It lacks more advanced sensors like a gyroscope or fingerprint sensor. The phone’s lack of a fingerprint scanner is expected given its entry-level status, and users will rely on the traditional PIN or pattern unlock methods.
Not the best machine you can buy in the price segment
Although we appreciate HMD Global’s efforts by equipping Nokia 1 with an operating system version that is very suitable for low-cost devices, Android One, however, we cannot recommend users to buy the device.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable Price: The Nokia 1 is very budget-friendly, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
- Durable Build: The polycarbonate body and removable back panel add to the phone’s durability and practicality.
- Android Go Edition: Provides a lightweight and optimized software experience for low-end hardware.
- Removable Battery: Allows for easy battery replacement and extended use.
Cons
- Limited Performance: The phone’s hardware is underwhelming for more demanding tasks and multitasking.
- Low-Resolution Display: The 480 x 854 pixel resolution is subpar compared to modern standards.
- Basic Camera: The camera quality is lacking, especially in low-light conditions.
- No 4G LTE: The lack of 4G connectivity may be a dealbreaker for users needing faster data speeds.
Conclusion
The Nokia 1 is a testament to Nokia’s ability to deliver value at the lower end of the market. It provides a basic but functional smartphone experience for users who need essential features at a very affordable price. While it may not compete with higher-end devices in terms of performance, display quality, or camera capabilities, it excels in delivering a reliable and durable product that meets the needs of budget-conscious consumers.
If you are in the market for an entry-level smartphone and prioritize affordability, durability, and a clean software experience, the Nokia 1 is worth considering. It is best suited for users who require a basic phone for calls, texts, and light browsing, and who do not mind sacrificing some performance and features to keep costs down. For those who need more advanced capabilities, exploring higher-end models may be necessary, but for many users, the Nokia 1 remains a solid choice in the budget smartphone segment.