REVIEW: Nokia 7.1

Value-for-wallet smartphone will entertain without breaking the bank

This week, let's take a look at a device launched not too long ago - the Nokia 7.1. This smartphone is, well, basically a shaven-down version of the higher-end Nokia 7 Plus, one of the more well-designed Nokia devices. The 7.1 has a solid colour; it lacks the metal linings on the front and back (which I love) and matte-esque rear, though it retains the accents on the edges. To the right are the volume rocker and power button, atop is the 3.5mm audio jack, on the left is the SIM tray and below is a USB-C port. That gives you three options to connect a headset (Bluetooth included).
You'll have two RAM/storage combos to choose from: 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB. The difference is minimal, so I don't see any reason why one shouldn't go for the latter.
On the back is a dual-lens camera system, composed of a 12MP-plus-5MP combo, compared to the 7 Plus's 12MP and 13MP. And for a mid-ranger, it holds up pretty well, thanks to Zeiss optics incorporated in it, with well-lit situations resulting in decent photos.
The dual-lens system also has a depth sensor feature, meaning you can adjust the bokeh effect on a portrait shot after you've taken it. However, it comes with some inconsistencies: in one particular shot I took - in which the subject's head was tilted sideways - when I tried to tool around with the bokeh, only the left part could be adjusted. A full-frontal portrait shot, meanwhile, yielded no problems. The front camera also has a bokeh effect - which is pretty nice - though, since it's only a single-lens camera, you can't edit it afterwards.
And don't forget about the Dual-Sight mode, that allows you to take 'Bothie' shots, using both front and rear cameras to simultaneously get pictures and even stream them live.
Also behind is a fingerprint sensor, which does a pretty good job of recognising your biometric without any considerable lag. The 7.1 doesn't have face recognition, which would have probably been an additional hit to your pocket.
You can access the app tray by swiping up; no fancy stuff, just a run-of-the-mill, simple operation that gets you to the apps you need. This is because it runs on Android One, which is, in other words, stock Android; you don't get that bloatware, just a pure experience. HMD Global has made it a point to go with this strategy, because of a couple of important reasons: Android One devices are guaranteed three years' worth of updates, plus, more importantly, two years of security patches.
As of testing time, the 7.1 we have is powered by Android 8.1.1 Oreo, but an upgrade to 9.0 Pie is already in the works. We're hoping that it rolls out real soon as the latest software on a mid-ranger is always a good experience.
The 5.84-inch display is pleasantly bright and quite cool to your eyes, even at its highest brightness setting. Right above is a notch, which is rather thick, while below is an even larger chin.
Battery strength is a bit of a downer here. Our standard one-hour YouTube-at-full-brightness test jolted out a whopping 22 per cent. Out of curiosity, I repeated the test, at 50 per cent brightness, only to find out that it lost a still-staggering 20 per cent. Just for kicks, I did the test on a local video - content on the phone, not streamed - and it did better at 16 per cent, which is still on the high side. But rampaging with it throughout my routine, the battery was just enough to last me a day - but I, most of the time, had myself plugging it in when I came home late at night.
AND SO.
Overall, the Nokia 7.1's design gives you a hint that it's a middle-of-the-pack device, but it doesn't lack in style or anything else, especially when it comes to performance. It gets your important tasks done at a fraction of what you would pay for other mid-rangers - but, of course, there are some features lacking, most noticeably face unlock. HMD Global continues to go by its value-for-money philosophy; we're equally interested to see that on their newest device (yet to be named at the time of going to press), which they launched this week.
THE LOWDOWN
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 636, octa-core 1.8GHz
Memory: RAM - 3/4GB; storage - 32/64GB, expandable up to 400GB
Display: 5.84" PureDisplay full HD IPS LCD, 19:9 ratio, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 432ppi
Camera: Main - dual 12MP (f/1.8) + 5MP (f/2.4), dual-flash; front - 8MP (f/2.0)
Platform: Android 8.1 Oreo (upgradeable to 9.0 Pie)
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC; USB-C, 3.5mm audio; dual-SIM
Battery: 3,060mAh
Price: Dh949 (3/32GB); Dh1,049 (4/64GB)
Pros: Decent camera; no noticeable lags; value for money
Cons: Battery life iffy; bokeh inconsistent; face recognition would've been great
Author's rating: 4/5
alvin@khaleejtimes.com

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