Affordable Smartphone Rumors 2021: Nokia
I’ve had a good time talking about affordable smartphones this year. It takes me back to my roots of selling smartphones/feature phones at RadioShack. I miss those days.
Time to do a bit of a focused approach to my series with an All Nokia affordable smartphone extravaganza. I’ve always had a soft spot for Nokia when it comes to devices. From the indestructible Nokia 3310 to the Zeiss Optics packing Nokia 1020 to my personal favorite, the Nokia 1520. Nokia has had a hearty history, it’s good to see the company still alive, through licensing with HMD.
If you’re anything like me, you’re looking for the best deal to cross your path in 2021. Inflation may or may not be real in 2021, but I’m not here to take any chances.
Nokia has been rumored to launch a plethora of devices as we wander through 2021. Said devices will likely run the pricing gamut from flagship to ultra-affordable and I’m here for every second of it.
I should mention that the vast majority of this is mostly speculation. Considering this is a rumors post and all. Either way, rumors are a good way to get an idea of what you might be looking at if you’re interested in Nokia for your future device option in 2021.
Let’s talk about some devices.
Nokia 10 — Foldables! Foldables! Foldables?
I haven’t found as much on the Nokia 10 as I would like, but it is to be believed that a “flagship-level” Nokia device could be coming into the mix sometime in 2021. This flagship device will likely be the Nokia 10. Or maybe the Nokia Edge? I like the Nokia 10 better. Let’s stick with the Nokia 10.
With the rumored specs for the Nokia 10, it’s possible to see a high-end Snapdragon 875 or 888 chip, 5G Capability, and the under-screen selfie camera that various phones have been rumored to have over the last year or so.
Techradar notes that this could also be the fabled Nokia foldable that the company has been working on. Considering the delays that the Nokia 10 has dealt with over the past couple of years, a foldable Nokia 10 might be possible. The Nokia 10 would be one of the first foldable with the company.
Conversely, MobilePriceAll has specifications that differ slightly then TechRadar, but the same general idea of the device still stands. Take a look:
- 5G Capable
- 6GB or 8GB RAM/256GB ROM
- 20MP Selfie Cam
- 5 Camera Rear Camera Set-Up
- Snapdragon 875
Specs on MobilePriceAll are a bit sketchy, but rumors are rumors. It’s good to take these into account as well.
Even with the slightly different spec rumors, I still have growing confidence in the Nokia 10 being a foldable device. That would be a brilliant move for HMD and the Nokia Brand. Of course, it all depends on how good the device is when it launches.
Foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold, the Galaxy Z Flip, and less so the Moto Razr have been popular. It makes sense for HMD to work on a foldable.
I’d like to see the camera quality of devices like the Pureview line of Nokia devices come to the Nokia 10, and if this device is going to be flagship-level, I can all but guarantee we’ll see the high-end optics come along for the party.
Techradar also believes the pricing of the Nokia 10 to be in the $700 realm. This may be going to be the price of the 9.3 PureView, but if the price of the ultra-flagship Nokia 10 hits at $700, it could be the game-changer the brand finally needs.
Nokia 9.3 PureView — Because you want to take amazing selfies.
Unlike the 10, specs for the 9.3 PureView are a touch more clear. The HMD infused Nokia brand has comfortably rested in the budget to the mid-range device level, and the 2021 device portfolio will mostly continue down that trend.
Nokia PureView devices have always had a steady foothold in being a decent shooter for proper social media shots. We all know we love a good social media shot. So of course, having a camera that works for your selfie game is key.
The 9.3 PureView will likely sit in between iPhone 12 and Pixel 5, with decent specs at a more attainable price. Here are the specs for the Nokia 9.3 PureView. (From GSM Arena)
- 6.7" + 1440x2880 pixels + 481ppi density
- 6 RAM/128GB ROM or 8GB RAM/256GB ROM
- Snapdragon 865
- 108MP Main + 8MP Telephoto + 13MP Ultrawide + TOF (Time-Of-Flight) 3D Depth Camera
- Selfie Camera: Dual 20MP + TOF 3D — Depth Camera
- 5000 mAh Battery
- Pricing Expected to be between iPhone 12 and Pixel 5 Pricing
- 5G Capable
5G Capable is becoming more of a necessity especially in a world where we’re finding ourselves more virtual more often. Social Media, Schooling, and Remote work has been a vital part of our well-being over the past few years, so the affordability of 5G is certainly welcome.
The 9.3 Pureview will likely launch sometime within the first half of the year. Excited? I am. Let’s keep this train moving!
Nokia 8.4 ish — For the Samsung averse?
Nothing much here yet. We know that it might exist, and it might be a middle-of-the-road device. The device will be 5G capable, and it will read off the same device style as the 8.3 5G. NokiaPowerUser also believes that the device should have a Snapdragon series 7 style of the processor.
We should hopefully see this device in the second half of 2021.
You’ll likely see this around the $600 — $700 range, considering the Nokia 8.3 is currently priced at $699 on Nokia’s website. I’m sure you can find it for less, of course.
Interested in the Nokia 8.4? Is it going to actually be called the Nokia 8.4? I have no idea, but let's keep going!
Nokia 5.5 — The seriously mid-level Nokia
This is extra-level rumor central here. I haven’t been able to find too many set-in-stone specs but what I found could likely be spot on to what we can expect from the super mid-range devices. A lot of folks are looking for devices that don’t set your wallet on fire.
Those same folks are probably going to look for a device that won’t turn you into an Instagram influencer, because they’re too busy working whatever career they’ve been completely crushing lately.
You don’t need bells? You don’t need whistles? You don’t need to skip a car payment to buy a phone? Then you’re at the right place. Let’s get to the specs! Specs from MobilePriceAll
- 5G Capable
- 6.39" LCD Display
- Snapdragon 662
- Main Camera = Quad (48MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP)
- Selfie = 16MP
- 4GB / 6GB RAM and 64GB / 128GB ROM storage options expandable via MicroSDXC
- 4k Video Capture capability
- Rear Mounted Fingerprint Scanner
- 4000 mAh Battery
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Possible Release Date — September 2021
The Nokia 5.5 is good for the typical person who might need a new phone. You can take decent photos, but you watch your media on your television.
For the most part, unless I’m too lazy to turn on my TV, I’ll watch my media on my TV. But that’s just me.
You play your video games on your console or computer, and you keep it moving. Even still, the RAM is pretty level with the iPhone 12. Don’t believe me? Look it up here.
Nokia 1.4 — for the Seriously Budget Minded Virtuoso.
We have now reached the ultra-affordable side of the affordable Nokia smartphone party with the Nokia 1.4. You get very little on the bells and whistles side, but it’s still enough to get you a step above the smartphones you’d likely see in the impulse aisle at your local grocery store.
Have you ever wanted to buy one of those phones in the impulse aisle at the grocery store? I’ve wanted to, and I most definitely have at least once in my life. I’m not ashamed. Those phones can be pretty fair-to-moderate.
Anyway, the Nokia 1.4 is pretty budget level. Specs are just about enough for a person who needs to use a phone, send some text messages, and maybe search for some stuff online while they’re at the grocery store. Perfectly fine.
Let’s check out the specs. Specs from GSMArena:
- 6.52" 720x1600p LCD Screen
- 1GB RAM + 16GB ROM / 2GB RAM + 64GB ROM / 3GB RAM + 64GB ROM
- MicroSDXC Expandability
- 4000mAh Battery
- 4G Capable
- Snapdragon 215
- Fingerprint Reader (Rear)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Main Camera = 8MP Wide + 2MP Macro
- Front Camera = 5MP
You won’t see 5G capability with this device. This should not be as big of an issue as we’re still in the toddler stage of the 5G expansion in the United States. I can assume that 5G has likely reached a greater expanse overseas, but here in the United States, the next generation of connectivity has not reached a mass level as of early 2021.
The Nokia 1.4 is pretty even spec-wise for a device for the extremely budget-conscious. That does not necessarily mean that the device is bad, but if spending iPhone 12 Pro Max money is completely out of the question for you, you can hit the other end of the spectrum with the Nokia 1.4.
Nothing wrong with that at all.
Hope you enjoyed a quick look at some of the devices that will come with the Nokia label for 2021. I’m excited to see some nice, affordable Android devices that can work for everyone. From a well-rounded affordable flagship to the most budget-conscious user that only needs the bare necessities.
Honestly, I’m just excited to see another phone that isn’t Samsung. But that’s for another day.
Stay tuned for some more goodness in the affordable category as we keep rolling through 2021!
By the way, if you’ve made it this far, take a look at my other Smartphone roundup stories below. Enjoy yourself!