HMD Global has unveiled a range of new phones under the Nokia brand at Mobile World Congress. The devices include the premium Nokia 8 Sirocco smartphone, the mid-range Nokia 6 and Nokia 7 Plus and the Nokia 1 for emerging markets. All feature streamlined versions of the Android software, under Google's new 'Android One' and 'Android Go' options.
The company also announced that it shipped over 70 million phones last year, after relaunching the Nokia brand at MWC 2017. That makes it a comparable size to LG in the mobile market. HMD said it plans to continue to expand the Nokia range, supported by its role as a lead partner on the Android One programme.
At the top of its new range is the Nokia 8 Sirocco, which will launch in April for a recommend price of EUR 749. The Android 8 device is among the first in Google's 'Android One' series, offering a 'pure' version of Android including unlimited cloud storage and guaranteed software updates. The phone features a 5.5-inch edge-to-edge display with curved Gorilla Glass 5 and a single-piece stainless steel body for durability. It runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and 6 GB RAM with 128 GB of internal storage.
The camera comes with 12-megapixel wide-angle and 13-megapixel telephoto lenses with Zeiss optics on the back and a Pro mode with increased manual settings, as well as a 5-megapixel front camera. The phone drops the headphone jack in favour of a USB Type-C port and includes a 3,260 mAh battery with Qi wireless charging.
Mid-market mobiles
HMD also unveiled a new version of the Nokia 6, one of its first smartphones announced at MWC last year. This is also an Android One device and comes with an improved processor, the Snapdragon 630, 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage for a recommended price of EUR 279. It includes a 16-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera, with dual-sight mode to capture video on both cameras at the same time in split screen. The Nokia 6 has a 5.5-inch IPS full HD screen.
Slightly higher in the mid-range market is the new Nokia 7 Plus, priced at EUR 399. Again an Android One device, this comes with a 6-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with 18:9 screen ratio and aluminium body with ceramic-feel coating and slightly curved edges. It runs the Snapdragon 660 and 4 GB RAM, with a 3,800 mAh battery, 64 GB storage and microSD card slot. It also comes with a dual back camera with Pro mode and a 16-megapixel front camera.
Android Go takes off
Finally, for emerging markets, HMD unveiled the Nokia 1, which runs Google's new 'Go' apps and Android 8.1 'Go' edition. These are optimised for markets with low-speed data connections or cost-conscious consumers just starting out with mobile data. The phone will sell for an estimated USD 85.
The Nokia 1 comes with LTE, a dual-Sim slot, quad-core MediaTek processor, front and back cameras, 1 GB RAM and 8 GB storage, plus a microSD card slot for up to 128 GB external storage. Users can change the colour of the phone with a range of snap-on exchangeable covers.
As usual, HMD also unveiled a 'reinvention' of a classic Nokia feature phone. This time the Nokia 8110 with a curved body is being re-launched with 4G and basic smartphone functions, such as Google apps, Facebook, Twitter and email. It runs the Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform and also includes a new version of the mobile game 'Snake'.
