HMD Global’s phone launching spree continues this month. It has now launched a smartphone and another phone that strikes a nostalgic note. We’re talking about the Nokia 3.1 Plus, which is a regular Android-totting smartphone that’ll be selling only through the offline stores in the country.
Then you have the Nokia 8110 4G, which is a smart feature phone, powered by Kai OS, something that we’ve already seen with the JioPhone and JioPhone 2 in the market. This one is priced on the steeper (for its features) side at Rs 5,999 and will be available by end of this month.
As for the Nokia 3.1 Plus, the premium of selling mobiles through stores ensures that you’ll be paying north of Rs 11,000 for the device. Here’s a closer look at both the phones and all the details that are worth knowing.
The Nokia 3.1 Plus ideally should go below the Nokia 5.1 Plus, which costs Rs 10,999 in the market. However, with a price tag Rs 11,499 it’s more expensive. The reason, you’ll be only getting this phone at stores near your area, and there is no online availability.
Also, looking at its features, primarily the screen size and battery, Nokia is eyeing those people who’re looking for an upgrade from their basic devices. The question that everyone must be asking is, whether going for it makes any sense.
The phone sports a biggish 6-inch display with HD+ or 1080 pixels resolution. It packs the Mediatek Helio P22 processor with 2/3GB RAM, and storage limited up to 32GB, which is further expandable though. Looking at this segment, Nokia has played a sensible game by offering dual-SIM slots. You also get a microSD slot and it has FM radio.
It comes with dual rear cameras sans the Zeiss Optics (unlikely at this price), and so it lacks quality in comparison to its rivals.
What it does get is a 3500mAh battery and running on stock Android 8.1 Oreo (with Pie update likely by end of 2018), the company claims the phone will last more than a couple of days.
What you also have to live with is a micro USB charging slot and not the USB Type C that most phones offer these days.
Time for the Banana Phone
The Nokia 8110 4G is longer yet leaner at 117 grams, than the JioPhone, which is definitely on the thicker side (with a big-size battery in tow) but still lighter at 109 grams than the Nokia 8110 4G. It gets a 2.4-inch QVGA screen with a resolution of 320x240 pixels that for 2018 might sound ridiculous. But it’s not a smartphone anyways.
It’s running on Kai OS, and partnering with Reliance Jio allows Nokia to pack the device with a host of Jio apps, as well as Google services like Maps, Assistant that are also available on the platform. We didn’t spot WhatsApp on the unit at the event, but hopefully that’ll happen before the phone hits the market.
Nokia 8110 4G packs a Qualcomm 205 processor, paired with 512MB RAM and offering 4GB onboard storage, expandable further up to 128GB. Interestingly, Nokia 8110 4G is a dual-SIM enabled device, that’ll let you connect via 4G VoLTE and share the data with others via a Wi-Fi hotspot.
You also get Bluetooth and GPS among other options. Nokia 8110 gets a 1500mAh removable battery. But we’ve to talk about the pricing of the phone, especially at Rs 5,999.
Will people look at this for its nostalgic value and spend Rs 6,000 for a secondary device? The trick did work for the Nokia 3310, but will it be a case of deja vu for the company, especially for a basic device like this?
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)