Nokia 8 Review: A Solid Flagship with ZEISS Camera and Pure Android
Nokia is back in the smartphone game with a series of Android devices that aim to deliver premium quality and performance at affordable prices. The Nokia 8 is the first flagship from the Finnish brand since 2014, and it offers a lot of great features such as a powerful chipset, dual-sensor camera, and a perfectly sized QHD display. But how does it compare to the competition in the crowded market of high-end phones? Let’s find out in this review.
Design
The Nokia 8 is a sleek and elegant phone that is made from a single block of 6000 series aluminum. It has a polished mirror finish that comes in four colors: Tempered Blue, Polished Blue, Steel, and Polished Copper. The phone feels solid and comfortable in the hand, thanks to its curved edges and smooth surface. The phone is not fully water-resistant, but it has an IP54 rating that makes it splash-resistant.
The phone has a fingerprint scanner on the front, below the display, that works fast and reliably. On the back, there is a dual-camera setup with ZEISS branding, along with a dual-LED flash. The phone has a USB Type-C port at the bottom, a 3.5mm headphone jack at the top, and a hybrid SIM/microSD card slot on the left side. The right side has the power button and volume rocker.
Display
The Nokia 8 has a 5.3-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of 554 ppi. The screen is sharp, bright, and colorful, with good viewing angles and contrast. The screen is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which makes it resistant to scratches and drops. The screen has an always-on feature that shows the time, date, battery level, and notifications without waking up the phone.
The screen also supports HDR10 content, which means it can display more vivid colors and details in compatible videos and games. However, HDR10 support is not very widespread yet, so you may not notice much difference in most cases. The screen also has a polarized filter that reduces glare and improves visibility in sunlight.
Performance
The Nokia 8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, which is one of the most powerful processors available for Android phones. It has an octa-core CPU with four cores clocked at 2.5 GHz and four cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, along with an Adreno 540 GPU for graphics. The phone also has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 256GB with a microSD card.
The phone delivers smooth and fast performance in everyday tasks such as browsing, messaging, social media, and multitasking. It can also handle demanding games such as Asphalt 9, PUBG Mobile, and Fortnite without any lag or stuttering. The phone also has a graphite-shielded copper cooling pipe that helps dissipate heat efficiently.
Camera
The camera is one of the main selling points of the Nokia 8, as it features a dual-sensor rear camera that can capture bokeh images with an attractive background blur. The rear camera has two 13MP sensors, one color and one monochrome, that work together to produce better low-light photos. The rear camera also has
ZEISS optics, phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, and a dual-LED flash. The rear camera can record 4K videos at 30 fps, as well as slow-motion videos at 720p and 120 fps. The rear camera also has a special feature called “Bothie”, which allows you to use both the front and rear cameras simultaneously to capture both sides of the story.
The front camera is also impressive, as it has a 13MP sensor with ZEISS optics, phase detection autofocus, and a display flash. The front camera can also record 4K videos at 30 fps, as well as live stream to Facebook and YouTube. The front camera also supports face unlock, which is fast and convenient.
The camera app is simple and easy to use, with modes such as auto, pro, panorama, live bokeh, and slow motion. You can also access various settings such as HDR, timer, grid, watermark, and resolution. The camera app also has a “Dual-Sight” mode that lets you take bothies and switch between the front and rear cameras.
Software
The Nokia 8 runs on Android 9 Pie, which is the latest version of the operating system. The best thing about the software is that it is pure, secure, and up-to-date. This means that the phone has no bloatware or unnecessary apps, only the essential Google apps and services. The phone also has monthly security updates and guaranteed software upgrades for two years.
The software also has some useful features such as Adaptive Battery, which optimizes the battery usage based on your usage patterns; Adaptive Brightness, which adjusts the screen brightness based on your environment; Digital Wellbeing, which helps you monitor and manage your screen time and app usage; and Google Assistant, which is your personal assistant that can answer your questions and perform tasks.
Battery
The Nokia 8 has a 3090 mAh battery that can last for a full day of moderate usage. The battery performance depends on various factors such as screen brightness, network connectivity, app usage, and gaming. The phone also supports Quick Charge 3.0, which can charge the phone from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes. However, the phone does not support wireless charging, which is a bit disappointing for a flagship device.
Price and availability
The Nokia 8 was launched in August 2017 with a price tag of $699. However, since then, the price has dropped significantly and you can now find it for around $300 on various online platforms such as Amazon and eBay. The phone is available in four color options: Tempered Blue, Polished Blue, Steel, and Polished Copper.
Conclusion
The Nokia 8 is a solid flagship device that offers a lot of value for money. It has a premium design, a sharp display, a powerful performance, a great camera, and a pure Android experience. It also has some unique features such as Bothie mode and ZEISS optics that make it stand out from the crowd. The only drawbacks are the lack of water resistance, wireless charging, and a more modern design.
If you are looking for a high-end phone that does not break the bank, the Nokia 8 is a good option to consider. It may not be the most flashy or innovative phone in the market, but it delivers on the essentials and provides a reliable and enjoyable user experience.
FAQs
Q: How do I take a Bothie on Nokia 8?
A: To take a Bothie on Nokia 8, you need to open the camera app and swipe left to access the Dual-Sight mode. Then you can choose between three options: Picture-in-picture (PIP), split-screen (SPLIT), or side-by-side (SIDE). You can also switch between the front and rear cameras by tapping on the screen.
Q: How do I update my Nokia 8 to Android 9 Pie?
A: To update your Nokia 8 to Android 9 Pie, you need to go to Settings > System > System update and check for updates. If there is an update available, you can download and install it by following the instructions on the screen. Make sure you have enough battery life and a stable Wi-Fi connection before updating.
Q: How do I use face unlock on Nokia 8?
A: To use face unlock on Nokia 8, you need to go to Settings > Security & location > Smart Lock > Trusted face and set up your face recognition. Then you can unlock your phone by looking at it when it is awake.
Q: How do I insert a micro
SD card on Nokia 8?
A: To insert a microSD card on Nokia 8, you need to use the SIM eject tool that comes with the phone to open the SIM/microSD card tray on the left side of the phone. Then you can insert the microSD card into the slot and push the tray back into the phone.
Q: How do I take a screenshot on Nokia 8?
A: To take a screenshot on Nokia 8, you need to press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time for a few seconds. You will hear a shutter sound and see a preview of the screenshot on the screen. You can then access the screenshot from the notification panel or the Photos app.
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