We recently covered the news that LG is leaving the smartphone game, a move that would’ve seemed absurd 5 years ago. In 2021, though, it’s not a huge surprise. Companies like Apple and Samsung are dominating market share, and smaller players are struggling. This has led analysts to wonder, “whose next to go?” If Nokia has anything to say about it, they’re here to stay. And their latest statement comes in the form of six new budget and mid-range Android smartphones.
THE X-SERIES
While still mid-range, the X20 is the most expensive of Nokia’s new offerings. It is perhaps most notable as well, as it is a 5G device at a reasonable price. Notable specs include:
- A “100% compostable case,” according to Nokia
- 6.67-inch Full HD+ display
- 32-megapixel hole-punch selfie camera
- Quad rear camera (64-megapixel main + 5-megapixel ultra-wide + 2-megapixel depth + 2-megapixel macro)
- Snapdragon 480 + 6GB or 8GB of RAM
- 128GB of storage + microSD card slot
- 4,470 mAh battery
- Headphone jack (nice).
The company is also offering the X10, which is an almost-identical device with a lower-resolution camera.
THE G-SERIES
While lacking 5G, this new line of smartphones is offering one main benefit: battery life.
The Nokia G10 and G20 both offer a whopping 5,050mAh battery, which should last for days (given that it’s paired with budget specs). Notable specs of the G20 include:
- 6.5-inch HD+ display with teardrop notch
- MediaTek G35 + 4GB of RAM
- 64GB or 128GB of storage + microSD card slot
- Quad rear camera (48-megapixel main + 5-megapixel ultra-wide, 2-megapixel depth, and 2-megapixel macro)
- 8-megapixel selfie camera,
- Headphone jack (nice).
The G10 is the lower-spec’d version, almost identical except with a less powerful G25 chip and a triple camera (13-megapixel main + 2-megapixel depth + 2-megapixel macro).
THE C-SERIES
Finally, the C10 and C20 round out Nokia’s newest offerings, representing the truly “budget” phones in the mix. Notable specs of the C20 include:
- 6.5-inch display
- SC0963a chip + 1GB or 2GB of RAM
- 16GB or 32GB of storage + microSD card slot
- 3,000 mAh battery.
- 5-megapixels on the front and back
- Headphone jack (nice), but no fingerprint reader (sad).
This is truly a budget device, even coming with a micro-USB port rather than USB-C. It also lacks a fingerprint scanner. It’s likely this is a phone designed for budget data plans and prepaid services, but it does feel a bit like a spec sheet from 2012.
Is Nokia’s foray into mid-range signal a shift in strategy? And will it be enough to keep the brand above water? Only time will tell.
