HMD Global announced the Android 11 roadmap for Nokia phones back in October but none of the devices scheduled to get the update this quarter is yet to do so. Among these devices is the Nokia 8.1 a.k.a. Nokia X7, and a video has surfaced showing the phone running a beta version of Android 11.

The video was shared on YouTube by an XDA Senior Member that goes by “hikari_calyx”. Not only does he show us the new version of Android on the 2018 device but he has also provided instructions on how users can flash the closed beta build.

The video shows that the update has December’s security patch which means that when it begins rolling out, it should come with the latest security patch. Yes, we still believe HMD Global will keep to its promise of releasing the Android 11 update this year even if it will roll it out with just a few days left before the end of December.

Android 11 brings a number of new features such as Chat Bubbles for messaging apps; a native screen-recorder; a power menu that allows you to easily access and control connected smart devices such as cameras, locks, and lights; new media controls; new permission settings; support for security and privacy fixes via the Google Play Store.

EDITOR’S PICK: India’s Lava Mobiles starts manufacturing phones for Nokia and other brands

Other devices that are scheduled to get the update this year are the Nokia 8.3 5G, Nokia 5.3, and Nokia 2.2.

The Nokia 8.1 was announced in 2018. It has a 6.18-inch FHD+ screen with a wide notch at the top. It comes with a Snapdragon 710 processor with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage, has 12MP+13MP dual rear cameras and a 20MP selfie camera, and packs a 3500mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging. The phone also has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and NFC.

When it launched, it ran Android 9 Pie out of the box. It received an update to Android 10 which makes the Android 11 update its second major OS upgrade. It should receive one more year of security updates after the update arrives.

UP NEXT: Retail sources reveal the Nokia 3.4 will launch in India in mid-December

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Quite a number of folks expected HMD Global’s December 5 event to be for the unveiling of the Nokia 8.2, a successor to the Nokia 8.1 released about the same date a year ago. However, the Egypt event was for the unveiling of the Nokia 2.3. Now, it has been reported that the Nokia 8.1 has been discontinued in the UK.

According to Nokia Power User, UK retailer, Clove, lists the Nokia 8 (2019) as discontinued and no longer available for sale while other stores such as Carphone Warehouse do not have any new models in stock.

This new development can only mean one thing – a successor is coming. Although, in my own opinion I do not get why a phone has to get discontinued because a successor is about to launch. The Nokia 2.1 has not yet been discontinued even though it already has two successors – the Nokia 2.2 and Nokia 2.3.

The upcoming Nokia 8.2 is rumored to be the Snapdragon 765-powered smartphone scheduled to arrive in Q1 2020. However, the exact date is not known. It could be early (probably at CES 2020) or later at MWC 2020. However, since the Nokia 8.1 has been discontinued already, then the launch should be in January.

The upcoming phone will have 5G, ZEISS imaging, and a PureDisplay. An image of the phone shared at the Qualcomm Summit shows the phone has a circular camera housing, not unlike the Nokia 7.2.

EDITOR’S PICK: HMD Global brings back the C-series with the new Nokia C1

In other news, HMD Global has discounted some of its phones in the UK and has included some nice gifts too. The Nokia 7.2 now sells for £249, down from £394 for the 6GB RAM version and it includes a free pair of Nokia Power Earbuds, a free clear case, and an additional year of warranty.

The Nokia 4.2 is priced at £159 and you get a free dual-port car charger with Quick Charge 3.0, a clear case, and 1 extra year of warranty. The Nokia 3.2 is also now £109 and you get the same free gifts as the Nokia 4.2 along with an extra year of warranty. The Nokia 2.2 has also been discounted to £79 but you get a free Xpress-On Cover and an additional year of warranty.

You can purchase these phones on the official Nokia website.  The deals run until 10:59 PM on December 31, 2019.

(Sources: 1, 2)

UP NEXT: Nokia 2.3 India launch imminent; Official listing and teasers appear

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 HMD Global is lauded for its impressive software support for its Nokia-branded smartphones. When the Android 10 stable update was announced last month, the company released an infographic showing the update schedule for its devices. Keeping to its promise of starting in Q4 2019, the Nokia 8.1 is now the first to receive the update.

Juho Sarvikas who is the Chief Product Officer at HMD Global posted a tweet announcing the update is rolling out to the upper mid-range phone.

Android 10 upgrade for Nokia 8.1 starts today! First on SD710 to bring new features such as Dark theme, Gesture Navigation and more. Staying the course to be the first across the portfolio! Nokia phones #Keepgettingbetter #nokiamobile pic.twitter.com/U9g1jZHtA6

— Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) October 9, 2019

It is no surprise that the Nokia 8.1 is the first Nokia device to get the stable update seeing as it was part of the Android Q beta program.

Below is the change-log for the update which is over 1.4GB in size:

• Dark Mode – Take it easy on your eyes
• Smart reply – Save more time with recommended actions
• Gesture Navigation – Get around with a swipe and a pull
• Additional controls for privacy and location
• Google Security Patch (2019-09)

The other Nokia devices scheduled to get the update this year are the Nokia 7.1 and the Nokia 9 PureView. HMD Global says they will be updated this quarter which means the update should arrive between now and December on both phones.

However, we believe the Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 will also get the update this year as both phones were announced after the update schedule was published. Seeing as they are new devices, they should be high-priority.

UP NEXT: HMD Global confirms Android 10 update for its entry-level smartphones

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HMD Global’s Nokia is having a good run in the smartphone industry mostly due to the brand identity and its impressive products that met the expectations of the teeming Nokia fans globally. One aspect where Nokia phones have really impressed us is in the camera configuration. If the latest leak turns out to be true, Nokia could be set to release its first pop-up camera-packing smartphone soon. That phone is the Nokia 8.2 and according to tipster Ishan Agarwal, the phone will debut with a 32MP pop-up selfie camera.

The Nokia 8.2 is a mid-range phone and would take over from the Nokia 8.1 which was launched in December last year. Nokia 8.1 came with a notch design which houses the selfie camera but this time around, Nokia is getting on the pop-up trend. This year has seen a surge in the number of smartphones with mechanical retractable selfie cameras and so, it won’t be surprising if Nokia is also joining the train.

EDITOR’S PICK: Honor’s revolutionary Smart Screen product will be announced at HDC 2019

Apart from the pop-up camera, the phone is also expected to come with Google’s latest Android Q operating system. It will also have up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, most likely on the high-end model. There is likely going to be other lesser memory configurations. The phone is expected to launch sometime in Q3 2019 but we can’t guarantee the authenticity of these details. However, we should add that the tipster has got a pretty good track record so far.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Black Shark 2 Pro reservations begin

(source, via)

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Just last month, the Nokia 8.1 got a massive price cut in India during Nokia’s Fan Festival. If you didn’t buy it then, you are in luck, as the phone is now selling for even less.

During the Fan Festival, the 4GB RAM version was priced at INR 20,999 (~$300) but you can get it for INR 19,999 (~$287) now. However, that isn’t a significant cut compared to the 6GB RAM version.

The Nokia 8.1 with 6GB of RAM is now priced at INR 22,999 (~$330), INR 3,000 (~$43) less than it was last month during the Fan Festival.

You can buy the phone at the new prices on the official online store or on Amazon (even slightly cheaper). It is also said to be available at the new prices in brick and mortar stores.

The Nokia 8.1 is powered by the Snapdragon 710 processor. It also has a 6.18-inch notched display with an FHD+ resolution. There is a 12MP + 13MP dual camera setup on the back along with a fingerprint scanner. It also has a 20MP selfie camera, a 3500mAh battery with 18W fast charging, a 3.5mm audio jack, and support for storage expansion.

It runs Android Pie out of the box and will get 2 years of OS updates, so it should get Android Q and Android R. This is the edge it has over most of its competitors which have similar specs but a lower price tag.

(Source, Via)

UP NEXT: HMD Global to launch two 5G smartphones later this year

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HMD Global is running a fan festival in India and select Nokia models have been discounted, with price cuts reaching up to INR 6000 (~$86). The fan festival began yesterday and will end on May 24.

The Nokia 8.1 is the device that has received the biggest discount of all. If you are purchasing the 4GB RAM version, you get INR 6,000 off if you use the promo code “FAN6000” at checkout. That brings the price from INR 26,999 (~$386) to INR 20,999 (~$300). If you decide to purchase the 6GB RAM version which is originally priced at INR 29,999 (~$429), the promo code “FAN4000” will bring the price down to INR 25,999 (~$371).

Even though it is for a limited period, we are not surprised at the massive price cut. With phones like the Realme 3 Pro which is powered by the same Snapdragon 710 SoC as the Nokia 8.1, has a bigger battery, and starts at INR 13,999 (~$200) for the 4GB RAM version; HMD Global has no choice but to announce a price cut.

The Nokia 7.1, Nokia 6.1 Plus, and Nokia 8 Sirocco also get a discount of INR 1000 of their respective prices when you use the promo code “FANFESTIVAL” at checkout. The discount is far from that of the Nokia 8.1 but it is better than nothing.

READ MORE: Nokia 4.2 now officially on sale in India for INR10,990 ($158)

If you are interested in grabbing any of these devices, head to the source link below. Just make sure you do so before May 25.

(Source, Via)

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In December, HMD Global had launched the Nokia 8.1 with a price tag of Rs. 26,999 (~$388). Within few months after its launch, the smartphone is now available with a discount of Rs. 2,000 (~$29) on Flipkart.

With the new price cut, the Nokia 8.1 is now selling with a reduced price of Rs. 24,999 (~$360) on Flipkart. This model comes with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of native storage. The Finnish firm is also selling the 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage edition of the Nokia 8.1 with a price tag of Rs. 29,999 (~$432). The price cut is only available on the 4 GB RAM variant of the smartphone. Axis Bank credit card users can avail the smartphone with an additional discount of 5 percent. Unlike other phones on the retailer site, the 4 GB RAM edition of the Nokia 8.1 is not available through exchange offer.

Nokia 8.1 Specifications and Features

In 2018, HMD global had launched a couple of phones with wider notch display and the Nokia 8.1. The display of the phone supports full HD+ resolution and an aspect ratio of 19:9.

The Snapdragon 710 powers the smartphone. The 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage version of the phone is exclusively available in India. The glass rear of the phone features a 12-megapixel + 13-megapixel dual camera system. For capturing selfies, it possesses a 20-megapixel selfie snapper.

It is an Android One device that runs on the latest Android 9 Pie OS. The 3,500 mAh battery of the phone carries support for fast charging technology.

Would you be interested in buying the Nokia 8.1 after the new price cut? Share us your b posting your comments below.

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If you have been waiting for HMD Global to launch the 6GB RAM version of the Nokia 8.1 a.k.a. Nokia X7, then you are in luck. The phone has been announced in India and is set to have its first sale in a few days.

The Nokia 8.1 6GB RAM version will come with 128GB of storage, double that of the 4GB RAM version. That extra RAM and storage will set you back INR 29,999 (~$420)!

The phone will be sold by Amazon India and will be available for purchase on February 6. You can head to the official page to sign up for a notification when it begins.

The Nokia 8.1 has a 6.18-inch Full HD+ PureDisplay screen with a notch at the top and support for HDR10. The notch is home to a 20MP 1.4um adaptive selfie camera that boasts impressive low-light performance. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 710 mobile platform. On its back is a 12MP + 13MP dual camera combo with ZEISS optics. It also has a fingerprint scanner gracing its glass back.

READ MORE: Nokia TA-1157 Android One phone with dual rear cameras hits the FCC

The Nokia 8.1 runs Android 9 pie out of the box. It is an Android one phone, so it will get two years of software updates. It is powered by a 3,500mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

(Via)

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New important software-related elements are now available for three of the most important smartphones from HMD Global: the new Nokia 8.1 and the older Nokia 7 Plus and 8. The Finnish brand just released the kernel source code for the Nokia 8.1 and 7 Plus. In case you never heard about it, it is a component which plays a key role in the development of custom ROMs and kernels allowing to customize a smartphone in a radical way by completely modifying its operating system. By releasing the kernel source code for these handsets, HMD Global accomplished the GPL (General Public License) rules which say that modified source code should always be published in readable format once it is compiled and distributed by smartphones manufacturers.

But don’t expect out of the ordinary custom ROM development for Nokia 8.1 and 7 Plus because currently these devices cannot be unlocked. Indeed, Nokia 8 is the only device released by HMD Global on which you can unlock the bootloader since September last year. Even though they are part of the Android One program providing a stock experience with the operating system, Nokia phones aren’t really the devices which can be considered as suitable for modding. Coming to the Nokia 8 which offers more options for modding, it just received the support to the Pixel’s 3 Night Sight camera mode thanks to a ported camera app.

• Read More: Nokia 8.1 with 6.18-inch FHD+ PureDisplay and SD710 SoC launched in India for Rs. 26,999 ($373)

The app we are talking about is Google Camera and the new Night Sight feature announced with the Pixel 3 line-up allows capturing all the relevant details and clicking bright shots even when light conditions are disappointing. The ported Google Camera app is available for all the units of the Nokia 8 with Android Oreo and Android Pie installed and it is around 110 MB. The app can even be installed on several other devices from HMD Global, including all the devices starting from the original Nokia 5.

(Via1, Via2)

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Nokia and Asus have just unveiled two potential best-buys of 2019: Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) and Nokia 8.1. The first is the successor of Zenfone Max Pro (M1), one of the best selling affordable phones of 2018, while the second is the European version of the Nokia X7 and it is the successor of the Nokia 7 Plus for Europe. Besides Nokia 8.1, another important mid-ranger recently hitten European shelves: Oppo RX17 Neo. This is an in-depth comparison between these three beasts available at very interesting prices.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) vs Oppo RX17 Neo vs Nokia 8.1

Design

If you like to show your smartphone to your friends and you want the most beautiful device, there is no much better than the Oppo RX17 Neo on its price range. Indeed, it comes with a refined glass back available in stunning gradient colors, and it also features a display with a very high screen-to-body ratio thanks to the OnePlus 6T-like waterdrop notch. Further, the device features an in-display fingerprint reader, so its rear side is very clean. Even though it is not at the same level of Oppo, even Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) has impressive aesthetics, especially thanks to its elegant glass back.

Display

The most impressive display is again the one found on the Oppo RX17 Neo, thanks to its Super AMOLED technology making colors very brilliant, a larger diagonal and very deep blacks. However, it remains a midrange-class panel and it is not anything spectacular. Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) and Nokia 8.1 have average IPS panel with a Full HD resolution, sufficient but again nothing special.

Hardware & Software

The strong point of Nokia 8.1 is under the hood. It features a way better chipset: the Snapdragon 710 running at a max frequency of 2.2 GHz, while its opponents have the older and less powerful Snapdragon 660. You can get Nokia 8.1 with up to 6 GB of RAM and with Android One, a stock version of Google’s operating system which gets updated faster compared to Oppo’s Color OS and Asus’ custom forks. Oppo RX17 Neo and Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 come with the same chipset but the former has more internal storage (128 GB), while the latter boasts a micro SD dedicated slot leaving the dual SIM slot always free and usable.

Camera

If you are searching for the best camera on the rear side, you should go for Nokia 8.1 as its dual camera with Carl Zeiss optics and OIS can achieve definitely better results. On the other hand, Oppo RX17 Neo is better for selfies and it has a very advanced algorithm and AI-backed features for its 25 MP front camera. Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) is definitely not a camera phone and it should bring just an average camera performance.

• Read More: ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2, Max M2 now official in Russia; Pricing and Specifications Revealed

Battery

Just like every device from the Max line-up, Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) is mainly focused on the battery life. It comes with a huge 5000 mAh unit which is able to last even two days of intensive use on a single charge. But note that it does not feature a fast charging technology, so it will take a while to reach 100 percent. Oppo RX17 Neo and Nokia 8.1 have a great battery life as well, but they are far from the results reached by Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2). But at least Nokia 8.1 is able to charge fastly.

Price

The battery life is my main concern when I am looking for midrange handsets and, given that Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) has even the lowest price tag (€237/$270 in India), for me it is the device with the best value for money. But overall, Nokia 8.1 is the best phone in this trio. It will cost you about €400/$450, while Oppo RX17 Neo debuted in Europe with a price tag of about €350/$398.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2) vs Oppo RX17 Neo vs Nokia 8.1: PROs and CONS

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2

PROs

• Huge battery
• Dedicated micro SD slot
• Affordable price
• Good aesthetics

CONS

• Limited availability

Oppo RX17 Neo

PROs

• Awesome design
• Big battery
• In-display fingerprint scanner
• Thinner body

CONS

• Bigger dimensions

Nokia 8.1

PROs

• Better hardware
• Amazing cameras
• Android One
• More affordable

CONS

• Nothing special

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Yesterday, HMD Global launched the Nokia 8.1 in the Indian market, priced at Rs. 26,999 (approximately $393). The smartphone is currently available for pre-order and will start shipping from 21st December.

While the company has only launched the base model in the Indian market which comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage, it seems that the Finnish company is all set to launch the top-end model which packs 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage.

If you were hoping to get the 6GB RAM model of the Nokia 8.1, then the wait time is also not much. According to the latest report, HMD Global is planning to launch the Nokia 8.1 with 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage in India next month. However, there’s no information available for the 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage model.

According to the source, during the Nokia 8.1 India launch event, Ajey Mehta, Vice President India, HMD Global, revealed that the 6GB + 128GB model of the Nokia 8.1 will land in the country next month. However, nothing has been revealed, including the pricing and exact availability details of this model.

Coming to the specifications, the phone features a 6.18-inch Full HD+ display with 2244 x 1080 pixels screen resolution, 18.7:9 aspect ratio, and 81.5 percent screen-to-body ratio. It supports HDR10, 500 nits peak brightness and is capable of 96 percent color gamut.

It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 octa-core processor clocked at up to 2.2GHz. There’s also a microSD card slot that enables storage expansion up to 400GB. While 4GB RAM model has already been launched, the 6GB RAM model is expected to come soon.

As for the photography, the smartphone features a dual rear camera setup, consisting of a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and a 13-megapixel secondary ZEISS optics lens with f/2.2 aperture. On the front side, there’s a 20-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture for taking selfies and video calling.

The camera comes with several AI-based features including scene detection that can automatically detect 18 scenes. It also has AI Beauty and AI Portrait mode, six AI studio lights, AI expressions, and a new dual-view mode.

For added security, along with the face unlock feature, the phone also comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Connectivity options on the device include Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac dual-band, Bluetooth v5, GPS + GLONASS, and a USB Type-C port.

Read More: Nokia 7.1 with 5.84-inch PureDisplay and Snapdragon 636 processor launched in India for Rs. 19,990 ($287)

In the software department, being a part of Google‘s Android One program, the Nokia 8.1 is running a stock version of Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box. The phone is driving power from a 3,500mAh battery that supports fast charging technology.

(Source)

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As expected, HMD Global has today launched its latest mid-range smartphone in the Indian market — Nokia 8.1. The phone, which is the successor of the Nokia 7 Plus, was originally unveiled globally last month and is the global version of the Nokia X7 that was launched in China in October.

In India, the phone is priced at Rs. 26,999 which roughly converts to $373 and will be available in two color variants — Blue/Silver and Iron/Steel. While the phone’s pre-booking starts from today, it will go on sale from 25th December through leading mobile retailers as well as Amazon and Nokia online store.

The smartphone features a 6.18-inch Full HD+ display with 2244 x 1080 pixels screen resolution, 18.7:9 aspect ratio, and 81.5 percent screen-to-body ratio. It supports HDR10, 500 nits peak brightness and is capable of 96 percent color gamut.

Under the hood, the Nokia 8.1 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 octa-core processor clocked at up to 2.2GHz, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. There’s also a microSD card slot that enables storage expansion up to 400GB.

Coming to the optics, the smartphone features a dual rear camera setup, consisting of a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and a 13-megapixel secondary ZEISS optics lens with f/2.2 aperture. On the front side, there’s a 20-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture for taking selfies and video calling.

The camera comes with several AI-based features including scene detection that can automatically detect 18 scenes. It also has AI Beauty and AI Portrait mode, six AI studio lights, AI expressions, and a new dual-view mode.

For added security, along with the face unlock feature, the phone also comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Connectivity options on the device include Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac dual-band, Bluetooth v5, GPS + GLONASS, and a USB Type-C port.

Read More: Nostalgia worked! HMD Global reveals that it has sold 70 million Nokia phones in two years

As for the software, being a part of Google‘s Android One program, the Nokia 8.1 is running a stock version of Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box. The phone is driving power from a 3,500mAh battery that supports fast charging technology.

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Nokia 8.1 is the international version of the Nokia X7 and it was launched in the global market a few days ago. In order to establish if HMD Global realized another best-buy like its predecessor Nokia 7 Plus, it is time to compare it with its actual competitors. For this comparison, we chose Meizu 16 and Huawei Nova 3 as they are among the best alternatives in the same price range of the Nokia 8.1.

Nokia 8.1 vs Meizu 16 vs Huawei Nova 3

Design

Huawei managed to release devices with stunning designs in the last year. One of them is Huawei Nova 3, a high-end smartphone which comes with a glossy back made of glass available in gradient colors. Its display has a big notch in the middle, but thanks to it there are very narrow bezels. On the other hand, Meizu 16 has the most original design, it has a high screen-to-body ratio even though it does not feature a notch, as well as an in-display fingerprint reader.

Display

The display of Meizu 16 is the one I like more because, besides integrating an in-display fingerprint reader, it is a Super AMOLED panel with brilliant colors and deep blacks. Nokia 8.1 and Huawei Nova 3 both come with an IPS notched panel and a Full HD+ resolution, but I would prefer Huawei Nova 3 because of its narrower bezels and its bigger size. Even though they come with wide viewing angles and a pretty high brightness, they are just average panels.

Specs & Software

The Snapdragon 845 and the Kirin 980 are currently the best chipsets available in the Android market. Sadly, Huawei Nova 3 still has the Kirin 970, while Nokia 8.1 has the upper-midrange SoC Snapdragon 710. So Meizu 16 is the most performing handset with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 which is paired with up to 8 GB of RAM in the most expensive variant. But if you go for it, you will have to say goodbye to the micro SD slot. Android One is on board of the Nokia 8.1 and it it is based on Android Pie, while Huawei Nova 3 and Meizu 16 come with EMUI and Flyme OS based on Android Oreo.

Camera

Cameras are the strongest point of Nokia handsets, and it is the same for the new Nokia 8.1. But there is a very marginal difference between the camera performances of these three handsets. I would personally prefer Meizu 16 because of its accurate autofocus and OIS which do a really nice job with photos sharpness. But Nokia 8.1 is able to provide outstanding performance as well, especially in the most disadvantageous scenarios. Huawei Nova 3 is definitely the best when it comes to selfies because of its dual front camera.

Battery

Huawei Nova 3 provides an impressive battery life with a 30-40 percent of remaining charge even after a long day of use. Nokia 8.1 can last a single day too, but Huawei Nova 3 results slightly better in many scenarios. Meizu 16 has definitely a too small battery to compete with its opponents, so it loses the battle. But on the other hand, it is able to charge very fastly thanks to its proprietary mCharge technology.

Price

Nokia 8.1 debuted in Europe with a €400 price tag, Meizu 16 costs €410 in its base variant and Huawei Nova 3 can be purchased for about €400 as well. With the actual prices, I would go for the Nokia 8.1 because of its good battery and very nice cameras. I would have chosen the Meizu 16 if it had a bigger battery.

• Read More: Meizu 16th Indian launch will hold on December 5

Nokia 8.1 vs Meizu 16 vs Huawei Nova 3: PROs and CONS

Nokia 8.1

PROs

• Good battery life
• Android One
• Affordable price
• Nice camera

CONS

• Worse performance

Meizu 16

PROs

• Good performance
• Nice cameras
• In-display fingerprint reader
• Affordable

CONS

• Small battery

Huawei Nova 3

PROs

• Amazing design
• Wide display
• Big battery
• Four cameras

CONS

• Limited availability

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After a comeback, Nokia is here from past two years. The Finnish company which is now backed by a Chinese HMD Global has launched various mid-range devices. Now, they are looking to target the upper-midrange by launching more powerful devices in 2019. Along with these developments, some sources are alleging that Nokia is deliberately delaying Android updates for a number of devices in order to boost sales of Nokia 8.1.

Though, the company has promised to launch a new update for Nokia 8 and Nokia 8 Sirocco. Later, it got delayed due to some issues in the build. Well, the source claims that this is not a genuine reason behind the delay, in actual Nokia want to boost sales of Nokia 8.1. Moreover, several other devices such as Nokia 5, Nokia 6, and Nokia 8 were also slated to receive the update this month or in the past but has been delayed. The reason is not stated but as per the information received Nokia is delaying it.

The decision is made by HMD’s Chief Product Office, Juho Sarvikas in November to push back release. He believes that users tend to buy new phones which have the newest software experience.

Now, as per the reports, it is believed that Nokia 8 will start receiving the update by the end of December or by early next year. It will be delayed for a couple of months in order to boost sales of Nokia 8.1.

• Read More: Nostalgia worked! HMD Global reveals it has sold 70 million Nokia phones in two years

Overall, it’s not a good marketing tactic that Nokia is following as of now, If it is true then Nokia is going to face a lot of flak in the upcoming days. We hope Nokia to respond to these kinds of allegations, to let us know what’s truth behind this.

How many of you using Nokia smartphones? Did you receive the latest udpate on your devices?

(Via)

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HMD Global’s much-anticipated event was held today in the Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Finnish company was expected to launch the Nokia 3.1 Plus, 5.1 Plus and Nokia 8.1 for the global market. Surprisingly, the event was devoted exclusively to Nokia 8.1 as no mention of the duo of Nokia 3.1 Plus and 5.1 Plus was made during the event. The Nokia 8.1 has been officially unveiled and just as expected, it is the global version of the Nokia X7 which was announced in China not too long ago.

The Nokia 8.1 strives to fit in as a successor of the Nokia 7 Plus. The device comes with a premium design and a very decent hardware, including the latest Android 9.0 Pie software. It features a metallic body forged from a series-6000 magnesium alloy frame wrapped with glass panels on both the front and rear end w-th a copper rim. This gives the device a premium look. The Nokia 8.1 utilises the latest display technology which HMD calls Pureview display technology. It is actually a 6.18-inch IPS LCD screen with a notch at the top and an 18.7:9 aspect ratio. The display features an FHD+ resolution of 2246 x 1080 pixels and an impressive 86.5-percent screen ratio. The Nokia 8.1’s display also comes with a 96-percent NTSC color gamut, DCI-P3 color gamut, HDR video playback, 1500:1 contrast ratio and 500nits of brightness. 

The device is powered by the latest 10nm based Snapdragon 710 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. The memory options could be expanded to include the 6GB RAM variant in other markets. The device is dropping under the Android One program and runs Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. Perhaps, the most outstanding feature on the device is the photography capabilities. The device packs a dual camera setup at the rear. The main sensor is a  12MP Sony IMX363 sensor paired with aa 13MP depth sensor. The rear camera comes with features such as Optical Image Stabilization, Electronic Image Stabilization, dual PDAF, AI scene detection and optimization for low-light photography. Up at the front, housed on the notch alongside an earpiece and other sensors, is a large 20MP selfie shooter.

The Nokia 8.1 packs a 3500mAh battery which Nokia claims can deliver up to two days of battery power. You also get a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, Quik Charge 3.0, dual-SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB-C and 3.5mm audio jack.

Pricing and Availability

The new Nokia 8.1 will be available in three colours; Blue Silver, Steel Copper and Iron Steel. The device is announced with a retail price of 399 Euros and will go on sale in the UAE on December 15 and other parts of the Middle East on December 20. However, it is now open for pre-order for the Middle East market. The device is also billed to enter other markets like India in no distant time.

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HMD Global had previously confirmed that it will be holding a launch event on Dec. 6. In India. At that time, it was speculated that the company will be launching the Nokia 8.1 smartphone on the said date. Today, the Finnish firm has rescheduled the launch event to Dec. 10 at 5:30 PM. The new invite does not confirm on the name of the device that will be announced on Dec. 10, but the rumor mill is speculating to announce the Nokia 8.1 smartphone.

Today, the Finnish firm announced the Nokia 7.1 smartphone in India with a starting price of Rs. 19,999. The same phone was announced at the beginning of October in London. Rumors have it that the Nokia 8.1 that is speculated to go official in India on Dec. 10 could be the Nokia X7 phone that was recently announced in China. A recent report had revealed that the Nokia 8.1 may hit the Indian markets with a price tag of Rs. 23,999 (~$345).

• Read More: Rumor: No notch for Nokia 6.2, Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) is the last with a notch

The Nokia 8.1 is equipped with a 6.18-inch IPS LCD notched screen that produces Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19:9. It is the first Snapdragon 710 chipset powered handset from the company.

The 12-megapixel + 13-megapixel ZEISS dual optics is present on the backside of the phone. It is fitted with a front-facing camera of 20-megapixel. The Android One version of Android 8.1 Oreo OS is available preinstalled on the device. The 18W fast charging enabled 3,500mAh battery is packed inside the smartphone

The 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage, 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage variants of the Nokia X7 are respectively priced at 1,699 Yuan (~$245), 1,999 Yuan (~$288) and 2,499 Yuan (~$360) in China. It is can be purchased in colors like Dark Blue, Night Red, Magic Night Silver and Night Black. There is no information on whether all the variants of the Nokia X7 will be heading to India.

(via)

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HMD Global had launched the Nokia X7 smartphone in the previous month in China. Since then, the rumor mill is speculating on the global version of the smartphone. Previous release patterns have suggested that the Nokia X7 may launch as Nokia 7.1 Plus in global markets. However, multiple sources have revealed that the global edition of the Nokia X7 will carry Nokia 8.1 moniker. Nokia Power User has shared leaked press materials of the international version of the Nokia X7. Even though the leaked documents do not confirm it, the publication claims that the Nokia X7 will be indeed launching as Nokia 8.1 in international markets.

In the leaked press materials, the handset is extensively referred to as Phoenix which I the codename of the smartphone. The Nokia 8.1 could be one of the phones that may go official through HMD Global’s upcoming Dec. 5 launch event in Dubai.

The leaked materials have revealed that the Nokia Phoenix (Nokia 8.1) features a 6.18-inch notched PureDisplay that produces FHD+ resolution of 2246 x 1080 pixels. It is the first Snapdragon 710 fueled Nokia phone. The handset is backed by 3,400mAh battery with 18W rapid charging support. It will be an Android One device that will come preloaded with stock version of Android 9 Pie OS.

The rear panel of the phone features a fingerprint sensor and above it is the ZEISS branded dual camera module which includes 12-megapixel primary sensor and 13-megapixel secondary sensor. For capturing selfie shots, it is fitted with a 20-megapixel front camera.

• Read More: Rumor: No notch for Nokia 6.2, Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) is the last with a notch

The Nokia Phoenix will be releasing in three color variants such as Red, Silver and Blue. The 4 GB RAM variant will have 64 GB of storage and 6 GB RAM model will include 128 GB of storage.

The leaked documents do not contain any information on the pricing of the Nokia 8.1. Apart from launching the Nokia 8.1 smartphone, the Finnish firm is also expected to debut two more phones through its Dec. 5 unveil event.

(source)

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HMD Global jumped on the notch train this year starting with the Nokia X6 which launched internationally as the Nokia 6.1 Plus. The Nokia 5.1 Plus (Nokia X5 in China) came next and then the Nokia 7.1 and the Nokia X7 which will launch globally as the Nokia 8.1.

If you don’t like these phones because they have a notch, then you may be comforted to know that HMD Global will not release another phone with a notch. The info comes from Twitter account Nokia anew (@nokiamobileru) which has posted details about Nokia phones that turned out to be true.

According to the account, the Nokia 6.2, which should be the successor to the Nokia 6.1/Nokia 6 (2018) will not have a notch. Instead, it will feature an “interesting solution” as the account puts it. The rest of the tweet says “Thus Nokia 8.1 can complete the Nokia “notch parade” in the Nokia line-up”.

https://twitter.com/nokiamobileru/status/1065312634642358272

READ MORE: A slew of Nokia phones including Nokia 6.1 Plus (X6) gets latest Android Security Patch

At the moment we can only guess what “interesting solution” HMD Global will use for its next-generation models. Will it be a display with a hole in it or will it be a slide mechanism? Our bet is on the former since there are reports some display manufacturers including China’s BOE are already making LCD displays with holes in them. And since the Nokia 6.2 will be a mid-range phone, it will definitely use an LCD display.

(Source, Via)

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Recent rumors have claimed that the Nokia X7 notched display smartphone that was recently announced in China would be arriving in India as the Nokia 8.1 smartphone. HMD Global has recently released a new teaser which hints that India may soon receive a new smartphone. It is speculated that it could be the Nokia 8.1 phone.

The teaser that lasts only for nine seconds doesn’t reveal the handset, but only showcases red roses. The silhouette of a notched smartphone appears halfway through the short clip to focus more on the inner red roses. It appears that the teaser could be hinting on the HDR function of the mysterious phone.

The Nokia X7 is the first smartphone from the Finnish brand with HDR display. The above tweet could be also hinting the Night Red variant of the smartphone.

The picture's about to get rosy with an epic viewing experience. Get ready to #ExpectMore pic.twitter.com/Tj5XfNuN0h

— Nokia Mobile India (@NokiamobileIN) November 23, 2018

There is a possibility that the phone may get unveiled first in India as Nokia 8.1 (or Nokia 7.1 Plus) and it may also appear at the Dubai event on Dec. 5. According to 91 Mobiles, the Nokia 8.1 smartphone will go official on Nov. 28 with a price tag of Rs. 23,999 (~$340) for its variant that features 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.

The Nokia X7 is also the first Nokia phone to be powered by Snapdragon 710 chipset. It features a big display of 6.18 inches that supports Full HD+ resolution and 18.7:9 aspect ratio. It comes preinstalled with Android 9 Pie OS.

The notch of the Nokia X7 houses a 20-megapixel selfie camera. The ZEISS branded 12-megapixel + 13-megapixel dual camera setup resides on the backside of the phone. The 3,050mAh battery of the Nokia X7 supports 18W fast charging. Other features of the smartphone include rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and microSD card slot.

In China, the 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage base variant of the Nokia X7 is priced at 1,699 Yuan (~$245) whereas the 6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage costs 1,999 Yuan (~$283). The highest model of the Nokia X7 has 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage and it costs 2,499 Yuan (~$360).

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The Nokia 8.1 and Nokia 9 PureView are two new phones HMD Global is expected to announce soon. Ahead of their launch, listings of official cases for both phones have appeared online.

Although the listings don’t include images of the cases themselves, they reveal some other bits of information. The cases for the Nokia 8.1 actually says “Phoenix” but adds at the bottom that they are compatible with the Nokia 8.1. This has been interpreted to mean the device codenamed “Phoenix” is the Nokia 8.1 which is currently sold as the Nokia X7 in China.

One of the cases for the Nokia 8.1 is a transparent Clear Case with model number CC-181 and another is a tempered blue Entertainment Flip Cover with model number CP-281. The latter is most likely a case that can fold into a stand so you can watch videos with your phone propped up. The transparent case is priced at €6.64 and the flip cover will sell for €10.19.

The Nokia 9 PureView has a transparent premium clear case with model number CC-190 priced at €11.15. Like the other two cases, there are no images for it.

READ MORE: Nokia 7.1 launched in Hong Kong and Macau for HK$2,588 ($330)

HMD Global has an event on December 5 in Dubai and while we think that is for the unveiling of the Nokia 2.1 Plus, some say the Nokia 8.1 and Nokia 9 PureView might be announced there.

(Source)

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Nokia is preparing to launch a set of two new devices in the upcoming few days. Both the devices have started appearing on the major certification agencies. Particularly, Nokia 8.1 is listed on NCC in Taiwan, while in Russia it has reached EEC certification agency. It has even appeared on the Geekbench few days ago flaunting its most prominent specs.

The report lists the Nokia 8.1 as a model TA-1119 and as like always, we have not received any additional details than this. Although, it is now clear that Nokia is getting ready to launch the Nokia 8.1 very soon in multiple markets. Moreover, Nokia 8.1 has made an appearance at Eurasian Economic Commision (EEC) in Russia. Over there, it has not appeared alone, a new device, model number TA-1087 has appeared on the website.

Both these devices have not debuted in any market, so the appearance on the certification agency website makes it clear that soon we will see a couple of new devices from Nokia. Even EEC has not unveiled any other detail rather than pouring some light on the model number information.

Apart from the certification, Nokia 8.1 is expected to carry Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 SoC having a base frequency of 1.7 GHz. It is dedicated to giving more battery efficiency as SoC is built on the 10nm process. It will be bundled with 4GB of RAM with speculated 64/128 GB of internal storage options. It will run on the latest and greatest Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. We are expecting an imminent launch of Nokia 8.1 as it has also appeared on Bluetooth SIG a few weeks ago.

• Read More: The Nokia X7 will launch globally as the Nokia 8.1 not 7.1 Plus

Another device bearing model number TA-1087 might be a similar device running on the Android One Platform.

Additionally, Nokia has recently launched Nokia 2.1, Nokia 3.1 and Nokia 5.1 with good specs at a reasonable price. All the devices run on Snapdragon processors.

(Via 1,  2)

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In the previous month, HMD Global had introduced the Nokia X7 smartphone in China. The Finnish company could be working on the international launch of the smartphone. A new Nokia phone has been approved by Bluetooth SIG body. It is speculated that the international edition of the smartphone may have received from the Bluetooth certification authority.

A Nokia phone with model number TA-1136 has appeared on the website of Bluetooth SIG. This indicates that it could be the company could be gearing up to introduce a new phone before the end of this year. The TA-1136 Nokia phone carries support for Bluetooth 5.0. Chances of it being a low-end phone could be low, but one should be aware of the fact that the low-end Helio A22 and Helio P22 SoCs also support Bluetooth 5.0.

The Nokia X6 and Nokia X5 were introduced first in China, but later on their international variants were released. Hence, there is a possibility that the international edition of the Nokia X7 may debut soon. It may arrive in the market as Nokia 7.1 Plus.

• Read More: Nokia 6.1 Plus Android 9 Pie OS update brings “Hide Notch” option

Contradictory rumors that had surfaced around two weeks ago had claimed that the Nokia X7 may release as Nokia 8.1 and not as Nokia 7.1 Plus in the international markets. It is speculated that HMD Global will release another phone before with the Mobile World Congress (MWC) annual tech expo event that is usually held in February. To support this claim, a Nokia device with Nokia 8.1 moniker was spotted on Geekbench in the recent past with specs like Snapdragon 710, 4 GB RAM and Android 9 Pie.

So, the Nokia TA-1136 phone that has been approved by Bluetooth SIG may arrive as Nokia 8.1 in international markets. The handset is likely to feature the same specs as Nokia X7v. Hence, it is expected to arrive with 6.18-inch IPS LCD notched screen with FHD+ resolution, Snapdragon 710, 4 GB / 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB and 128 GB of storage, 13-megapixel + 12-megapixel ZEISS branded dual camera setup, 20-megapixel front-facing camera and 3,500mAh battery.

(source|via)

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The Nokia X6 launched globally as the Nokia 6.1 Plus and the Nokia X5 is sold outside China as the Nokia 5.1 Plus. Following this trend, it means the global variant of the Nokia X7 should go by the Nokia 7.1 Plus, right? Wrong!

A few days ago, a device called the Nokia 8.1 was seen on Geekbench. We were a bit disappointed to learn that the successor to the Nokia 8 will come with a mid-range processor and not the Snapdragon 845. It turns out that that the Nokia 8.1 is the global version of the Nokia X7.

https://twitter.com/nokiamobileru/status/1053977142315438080

https://twitter.com/nokiamobileru/status/1054033577233539073

The decision to change the name was made by Juho Sarvikas, chief product manager at HMD Global according to a tweet by @Nokia anew. The account claims they were informed of the name change by unnamed sources.

Further explanations by Phonearena reveal HMD Global is converting the Nokia 8 series into an upper mid-range series while the Nokia 9 PureView will be the company’s flagship model scheduled to launch early next year.

READ MORE: Nokia 6.1 will skip beta labs and jump straight to Android Pie

Nokia anew said in another tweet that the Nokia 7.1 Plus still exists but it won’t launch until next year. It will most likely be powered by the Snapdragon 670 processor. The Nokia 8.1, on the other hand, will launch before the end of the year.

(Source, Via)

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The Nokia 8 launched last year as the first Nokia flagship phone following the takeover of the brand by HMD Global Oy. The device got lukewarm reviews with complaints about some missing features such as an AMOLED display and a higher IP rating etc. It got a refresh at the beginning of the year called the Nokia 8 Sirocco with the same processor but a new design, better display, and a bigger battery. A successor has appeared on Geekbench as the Nokia 8.1 and it appears it won’t be a flagship.

The Nokia 8.1 was benchmarked yesterday and the site reveals some of its key details. If you were expecting the Snapdragon 845, you may have to wait for the Nokia 9 or maybe a Nokia 8.1 Plus if there is anything like that as the Nokia 8.1 is powered by the Snapdragon 710 chipset. The upper mid-range chipset is paired with 4GB of RAM.

Geekbench also reveals the phone will run Android 9.0 out of the box. That should placate those who are disappointed about the less powerful chipset. The Nokia 8.1  scored 1841 points in the single-core test and 5807 points in the multi-core test.

READ MORE: Nokia X7 unveiled in China with notched screen, Snapdragon 710 and dual cameras for 1,699 Yuan (~$245)

This is the first time we are learning of the Nokia 8.1, so there is still a lot we don’t know. Hopefully, more details will surface in the coming weeks.

(Source, Via)

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