Unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC17) earlier in the year, the new Android-powered Nokia smartphone range is now in Malaysia. The Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 combine superior craftsmanship and sleek design with a pure Android experience. The phones make their way to Malaysian retail channels in mid-June, with prices below MYR1,000. The iconic Nokia 3310 also made an official Malaysian debut.
As you may know, HMD Global Oy is now the new home of Nokia phones and tablets. The Finnish company designs and markets smartphones and feature phones, and has exclusive rights to Nokia mobile devices.
Nokia 6
The Nokia 6 is the most premium of the range, with its unibody crafted from a single block of 6000 series aluminium. It’s both sleek and robust, and comes in four distinct colours–Matte Black, Silver, Tempered Blue and Copper. The Copper looks awesome, by the way.
The device packs a 5.5-inch Full HD display, and also boasts Dolby Atmos audio through its dual speakers.
It’s powered by a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 with Adreno 505 graphics. This is mated to 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. It supports storage expansion via microSD.
In the camera department, it sports a 16MP f/2.0 main shooter, while on the front it gets a 8MP f/2.0 selfie camera.
The 3,000mAh battery should be able to keep the dual-SIM device juiced throughout the day.
An Arte Black variant with 4GB of RAM will be made available at a later date.
The Nokia 6 retails for MYR999.
Nokia 5
For those who prefer something slightly smaller, the Nokia 5 will be the perfect fit. Also precision engineered out of a single block of 6000 series aluminium, it packs a 5.2-inch IPS HD display with sculpted Gorilla Glass.
Nokia claims it features “groundbreaking innovation in antenna design.”
Like its bigger sibling, the Nokia 5 also sports a Snapdragon 430 processor with Adreno 505 graphics, mated to 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. It also supports storage expansion via microSD.
Shutterbugs on a budget should be happy with the 13MP f/2.0 main shooter and 8MP f/2.0 selfie camera.
Keeping it juiced all day is a 3,000mAh battery.
It comes in Matte Black, Silver and Tempered Blue.
The Nokia 5 is priced at MYR799.
Nokia 3
The entry-level Nokia 3 offers plenty of bang-for-buck with its precision machined aluminium frame and polycarbonate body. The all-rounder features a 5-inch IPS display, protected by Gorilla Glass.
The budget device is powered by a MediaTek MTK6737 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. For those who need more storage, they can plug in a microSD card for more (up to 128GB).
Optics-wise, the Nokia 3 packs 8MP f/2.0 cameras for both front and back. And by the way, the front camera boasts autofocus (as on the Nokia 6 and Nokia 5).
The 2,630mAh battery should give it many hours of usage, while the low MYR599 price tag should leave you with some spare change.
Pure Android
Gone are the days of Symbian, and Windows Mobile. The new Nokia range is powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, and in pure form. You get the best of Android with Google Assistant, and Doze. Nokia promises monthly security updates and pure Android ensures a fast, secure and bloat-ware free experience.
All three devices will be available at the end of June through all Nokia authorized resellers. Avaxx remains the main official distributor of Nokia devices.
The beginning
In all honesty, I expected the prices to be higher. It looks like HMD Global is serious about getting the devices into as many hands, as fast as it can. Pricing it right is crucial, looking at the MYR500-MYR1,200 sweet spot in terms of the smartphone price bracket.
Nostalgia aside, it’s nice to see the former phone giant back in the race, but it’s a long bumpy road ahead.
Welcome back, Nokia. And good luck.
