The best Nokia phones for 2023
Need a new phone, but your bank account is emptier than a glass of lemonade on a hot day? Then look no further than Nokia’s fantastically affordable range of phones.
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It wasn’t that long ago that Nokia was the leading phone manufacturer in the world and churned out some popular Nokia phones. But then along came Apple, Google, Samsung, and dozens of small independent manufacturers, such as Xiaomi and OnePlus, making it a very tough market to break into and survive in.
It may have been a while since Nokia released a phone that everyone desperately wanted, such as the infamous Nokia 3310, but that does not mean that its phones are in any way poor or not worth your consideration. On the contrary, the best Nokia phones will give you plenty of quality and features at a more budget-friendly price than more prominent brands.
How we picked the best Nokia phones
The team at PopPhoto has decades of experience in a variety of photographic and technological situations. We reviewed all the available phones that Nokia makes to compile the above list of phones. We considered essential specs like RAM, processor, screen technology, and storage. Lastly, as many choose smartphones to have a camera in hand at all times, we aimed to select products with quality cameras.
Our FOCUS was on those who want the best but may have a limited budget or don’t want to spend a fortune on a phone. The above list offers a range of budget-friendly phones that do an excellent job on a day-to-day basis.
The best Nokia phones: Reviews Recommendations
Best overall: Nokia G20
Why it made the cut: While all Nokia phones are aimed at a lower budget target audience, the quality of the G20 still makes it feel like it’s at the higher end of the mid-range market.
Key features:
- Processor: Mediatek Helio G35
- RAM: 4GB
- Screen: 6.65 inch HD
- Cameras: Rear: 48MP main camera, 5MP ultra-wide angle 2MP macro | Front: 8MP
- Storage: 64GB (expandable up to 512GB)
- Battery: 5050mAh and 10W charging
- Large battery
- Expandable storage
- Stylish design
- 3.5mm headphone jack
The Nokia G20 is a very stylish-looking phone with beautiful curves that make the phone seem like a smooth pebble. The front camera is small and discreet, while the rear camera arrangement is a circle at the top of the phone that looks strangely like a Tardigrade’s mouth.
Another great feature that has unfortunately become absent from phones in recent years is the 3.5mm headphone jack. Granted, many people use wireless headphones and earbuds now, but the option to use wired headphones is a welcome one.
Expandable storage is another feature that has more or less become extinct. It can be frustrating having to pay significantly more to get double the storage, so it’s great to see that Nokia is one of the few manufacturers keeping this option. The G20 can expand up to 512GB, which is on top of the 64GB it already has.
Considering that this is a very affordable phone, it is somewhat surprising to see a 5050mAh battery inside it, which means the phone can last longer when you need it. While 10W charging isn’t considered fast charging these days, given we now have 120W charging, it is still very decent and, again, considering the low price, is a welcome addition.
The processor and 4GB RAM aren’t the best in Nokia’s lineup, and at least on paper, it will be a slower phone. But most casual users will not notice. However, if you have a need for speed, then perhaps consider another Nokia phone.
Best camera: Nokia 9 PureView
Why it made the cut: The Nokia 9 PureView has a unique, five-camera setup that results in better color and depth thanks to three of the cameras capturing in black and white, allowing it to retain more detail.
Key features:
- Processor: Snapdragon 845
- RAM: 6GB
- Screen: 5.99 inch QHD 2k OLED
- Camera: Rear: five 12MP cameras (2 in color, 3 in monochrome) | Front: 20MP
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 3320mAh
- Unique five-camera set up
- Decent processor and RAM
- Large storage
- Affordable price
Remember when phones didn’t even have cameras, much less five of them? These days, most phones that employ multiple cameras provide different focal lengths for multiple fields of view. The Nokia 9 PureView, however, has a different reason for the five 12 MP cameras, all of which have a 28mm fixed-focal length. Instead, the five-camera array has two (the centermost and central bottom) full-color cameras, and three are in black and white. The combination of color and monochrome cameras allows the phone to capture the full spectrum of light and gives you better photo quality.
The method that the camera produces an image requires fast processing. And as a result, the processor, while an older Qualcomm processor, is a reasonably fast one. Combined with the 6GB RAM, the Nokia 9 PureView is a fast device that can do everything you need. over, it comes with 128GB storage as standard, which is more than enough for everyday users.
The screen itself isn’t the largest compared to other phones these days, but 5.99 inches is more than reasonable, and when you consider the affordable cost, this is a great size.
The biggest downside to this phone, considering that it gives you a fast processor, large storage, and a great camera setup, is that the battery is only 3320mAh. It will still last approximately 10 hours on paper, but it’s not a lot if you use your phone throughout the day.
Best battery: Nokia G50
Why it made the cut: The impressive 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging means you will rarely get caught with a dead battery, meaning you can use your phone without fear.
Key features:
- Processor: Snapdragon 480 5G
- RAM: 4GB
- Screen: 6.82 inch HD
- Camera: Rear: 48MP main camera, 5MP ultra-wide angle, and 2-megapixel depth sensor | Front: 8MP
- Storage: 64GB/128GB (expandable up to 512GB)
- Battery: 5000mAh and 18W fast charging
- Large battery and fast charging
- Great camera arrangement on rear of the phone
- Expandable storage
- Stylish design
Released in 2021, the G50 is one of Nokia’s most recent phones. It has a very affordable price, like all current Nokia phones. Despite its reasonable cost, the Nokia G50 still has some fantastic features that give you more bang for your buck.
For example, Nokia included a 5000mAh battery giving you more time to use your phone between charges. However, if you do find yourself running low on battery, the 18W fast charging capabilities can charge your phone in less than an hour.
The phone comes in two storage options, 64GB and 128GB. There is also an option to expand storage to 512GB. It’s frustrating to see manufacturers move away from expandable storage as it is far cheaper to get a microSD card to expand your storage than paying for larger integrated storage. So it’s great to see Nokia keeping hold of this tradition.
With the Nokia G50, you get two cameras, a 48MP primary camera, and a 5MP ultra-wide-angle camera. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but they do a decent job and give you good quality when taking photos of your family and friends.
Sadly, the screen is not great. Surprisingly, this phone has some high-end features but loses out on a low-quality screen. That is to say that it is low quality by today’s standards. However, it is still decent enough to get by, especially if you aren’t using the phone for watching movies or editing photos.
Long lasting: Nokia XR20
Why it made the cut: It’s a beautiful phone designed and tested to military-grade standards, giving you something close to the legendary Nokia 3310.
Key features:
- Processor: Snapdragon 480
- RAM: 6GB
- Screen: 6.67 inch FHD
- Camera: Rear: 48MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera | Front: 8MP
- Storage: 128GB (expandable up to 512GB)
- Battery: 4630mAh
The Nokia 3310 is infamous in the phone industry for being the toughest, meanest phone ever made. People have reported throwing it, stepping on it, even setting it on fire, and the crazy little phone carries on working like it was nothing.
It’s been many a year since Nokia released anything similar to this level of indestructibility. While the Nokia XR20 isn’t as indestructible as the 3310 (simply because modern technology is more fragile), it is a beast in its own right.
It can also withstand drops up to 5.9 feet. If you are concerned about dropping it in general, then there’s an accessory attachment loop (another helpful feature of a bygone era) where you can add a loop to wrap around your wrist. Finally, if the above doesn’t convince you how durable this phone is, the screen is made from Gorilla Glass Victus which is the toughest screen Nokia has ever used on its phones.
In the photography industry, a weatherproof compact camera is well protected and durable but usually looks incredibly ugly. That is not the case with the Nokia XR20. It is, simply put, beautiful. The two cameras are arranged at the back in a simple square but with an “X” shape that connects the cameras, light, and sensor, which is very aesthetically pleasing.
The 48MP main camera and 13MP ultra-wide-angle cameras are standard Nokia cameras with lenses made by Zeiss. It’s not outstanding, but it’s not terrible either. The 4630mAh battery is decent enough and will last the better part of the day on paper.
The processor is rather average, though, which is surprising considering the 6GB of RAM. It’s not the worst, by any means, but it feels like a bit of an oversight given the specs the rest of the phone has.
Best budget: Nokia 8.3
Why it made the cut: This phone came out in 2020 but still has some fantastic features and specs, giving you a great phone at a highly affordable price.
Key features:
- Processor: Snapdragon 765G
- RAM: 6GB/8GB
- Screen: 6.81 inch FHD
- Camera: Rear: 64MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide-angle, 2MP macro | Front: 24MP
- Storage: 128GB (expandable up to 512GB)
- Battery: 4500mAh and 18W fast charging
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Large battery and fast charging
- Dual SIM
- Striking design
Nokia released its 8.3 in September 2020, so it’s a fairly old phone by today’s standards. That said, this phone is still very good and worth considering if you are on a budget.
It comes with a Snapdragon 765G processor, which isn’t the fastest Qualcomm makes but is more than enough for everyday use. And when paired with the 6GB or 8GB RAM, the phone does a good job handling all your needs.
Overall, the phone is rather stunning with its two-tone gradient back. The rear camera arrangement doesn’t take up much space, so looks rather striking. The front camera is in the top left corner rather than centrally located, which may be an issue for some. It feels good to hold in your hand, although with a 6.81-inch screen, it’s not the smallest of phones.
The 68MP main camera is good enough for most users. Keep in mind, however, that as a budget phone, it will not provide groundbreaking quality by any means. The battery is 4500mAh and comes with 18W fast charging, which is a welcome surprise as you don’t often see a large battery and fast charging on a budget phone. It should reliably last a day, depending on your use.
Like most Nokia phones, you get the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack. A headphone jack is handy, even if you do not use it very often, as it’s great to have a backup in case your wireless headphones/earbuds run out of juice. However, one thing that is not as useful is the inclusion of a Google Assistant button on the left side of the phone. It’s not in the best location and can result in accidental requests for Google Assistant’s help, which pauses your music or movie and becomes an inconvenience. You can turn this feature off, but you cannot remap it to something else, so it just becomes a useless button.
Things to consider before buying the best Nokia phones
Looking for a new phone can be overwhelming. Even within the Nokia brand, there are many different models offering different features and specs. But, one thing that all Nokia phones have in common is that they run on an Android user interface. So while there are many other decisions to make, you won’t have to decide on a UI. Read on to learn what you should consider when choosing a new Nokia phone.
Processor
The processor is what controls the phone. A faster processor means it can handle instructions and information better and quicker. If you are someone that opens multiple apps, watches movies a lot, and/or plays games on their phone then a faster processor is ideal. In addition to this, the more cores (or processing units) that a processor has the less energy it uses and the cooler it will be to hold.
RAM
The RAM, or Random Access Memory, is how much data the phone can handle. One example of what RAM, denoted by a higher GB, does is it helps store your current activities in short-term memory banks that let you pick up where you left off. So the more RAM you have, the faster you can access that information, which is perfect if you jump from app to app, activity to activity. Your phone will feel much faster if you get one with more RAM.
Camera
Most people want a phone with a decent camera as a minimum. Premium phones will FOCUS on advanced features like night modes, portraits with shallow depth of field, or long exposures. But the Nokia range will suit you fine if you are not that interested in fancy camera tools and want a phone camera that just takes sharp photos. Most of them will have a wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lens so that you can take pictures of groups or landscapes during your travels.
In terms of quality, the more megapixels the camera has, in theory, the better the quality. While this doesn’t tell the full story, as many factors affect a camera’s abilities, such as AI and the quality of the hardware, it gives you a rough indication of the camera’s potential.
Battery
One other thing that old phones have over modern smartphones is battery life. An older phone, such as the Nokia 3310, uses far less power to operate. Most people would only use those phones to call and text and maybe play Snakes (remember that classic game?). However, these days people use their phones for all sorts of functions, which requires much more battery power.
Battery charge is measured in milliampere-hour (mAh), and the higher the number, the longer that battery will last, on paper at least. Keep in mind that external power banks are relatively small and affordable, allowing you to charge your phone on the go. So battery charge these days is more a matter of convenience than a deal or no deal feature.
Storage
The more storage the phone has, the more apps, photos, and other data you can keep on it. If you are not planning on playing games or downloading dozens of apps, smaller storage, such as 64GB, should be okay. However, almost everything nowadays requires an app, which quickly eats up storage space. So, if possible, it is worth going for a higher storage capacity.
Screen size
Screen size is important to consider because of how it will feel in your hand and The 3310 was tiny, and you could easily work it with one hand, but the same cannot be said for some modern phones. While a larger screen is more beneficial for watching media on your phone, larger phones can be cumbersome. So unless you know you’ll be using the phone primarily for consuming media, a moderate screen size is likely ideal.
FAQs
Does Nokia still make phones?
Yes, Nokia still makes phones. It may not be as popular as it once was or release as many phones, but it still makes them. It doesn’t target the premium market as Samsung and Apple dominate that. Instead, it focuses more on the budget and mid-range markets.
Which Nokia phone is unbreakable?
The infamous Nokia 3310 was considered an indestructible phone (as long as you don’t drop-kick it). However, phones–and arguably a lot of other products–are not as durable these days. The lack of durability is because they are thinner and have more fragile technology inside them. As a result, phone cases are generally crucial to keeping your phone safe. That being said, the XR20 is very durable as it is made and tested to military standards. It is an excellent phone if you are accident-prone.
Are Nokia phones worth buying?
If you are looking for a high-end, premium phone with features like wireless charging, adjustable refresh rate, etc., then Nokia might not be the phone for you. They are still great phones but fall in budget and mid-range markets. Therefore, the specs and features are not as good as Samsung’s flagship, for example. However, if you don’t need high-end specs, Nokia phones are reliable and durable.
Why is Nokia 3310 so strong?
The Nokia 3310 is so strong, at least compared to smartphones, for a few reasons. First, the 3310 is a small phone made predominantly of quality, highly durable plastic. It has a tiny screen, which means there is less glass to break if it is dropped. And finally, there are fewer components inside since it is such a basic, simple phone.
Smartphones are bigger, which means more holes and gaps where water and dust can seep in. And they have significantly larger screens, which are more susceptible to damage, making them much more fragile than the 3310.
Final thoughts on buying the best Nokia phones
While Nokia isn’t leading the industry with new designs, it is producing well-made phones built to last at an affordable price. Its phones also retain things like expandable memory and headphone jacks, making them enticing for users who prefer those.
Best Nokia phones in 2023
If you’re looking to buy a new smartphone and your nostalgia is pushing you towards Nokia, here are the best Nokia phones to buy in 2023.
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Nokia isn’t competing in the flagship space to go against the best phones anymore, but it still has plenty of devices that won’t burn a huge hole in your A lot of these phones are available to purchase, and they offer a good mix of features and specifications for the price. The list of Nokia phones available in the U.S. is fairly slim, but we’ve highlighted the best ones you can buy right now in 2023. These phones may lack the “wow” factor in their respective segments, but they’re sure to tickle your nostalgia nerves.
Nokia XR20
Nokia G400
Nokia G50
Nokia G20
Nokia X30 5G
Our favorite Nokia phones in 2023
Nokia XR20
The Nokia XR20 is a rugged smartphone that has some decent specifications. If you’re looking for a phone that will last you a long time, this is a good option.
The Nokia XR20 is one of the best Nokia phones you can buy right now. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 480 chip and can be purchased with up to 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage. It also supports expandable storage via a microSD card up to 512GB. The display is a 6.67-inch Full HD panel with a hole-punch cutout for an 8MP selfie camera. The rear houses a 48MP primary shooter along with a 13MP ultra-wide lens.
It’s also compatible with a lot of carriers in the U.S. It’s not exclusive to T-Mobile either, so it’s readily available to purchase from many retailers too. One of the highlights of the XR20 is that it’s a MIL-STD 810 G-certified rugged phone, meaning it’s not going to give up on you that easily. It’s perfect for those with an active lifestyle or who are just a bit clumsy with their devices. The XR20 also carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, so it should be able to handle occasional dips in the swimming pool too.
The Nokia XR20 has come down in price since it was first announced. You can pick up the XR20 for 400 right now, which isn’t too bad for everything it brings to the table. It was recently updated to Android 13, too, so you’re getting a pretty good device here with the latest version of Android.
Nokia G400
A great pick for under 300
The Nokia G400 5G is our best-value pick. It doesn’t come with a lot of features, but it supports 5G, has a 120Hz display, and a Snapdragon 480 Plus processor — all for under 300.
For around 200 when it’s on sale, you can get the Nokia G400 5G, which will get you support for 5G, a 120Hz display FHD display, and a massive 5,000mAh battery. It’s also powered by the Snapdragon 480 Plus variant, which has a higher clock speed compared to the regular Snapdragon 480 chip in our best overall pick. You may not notice a significant performance difference between the regular Snapdragon 480 and the Plus variant, but the higher clock speed may come in handy for resource-intensive tasks.
The Nokia G400 5G also packs a triple camera setup at the back, which includes a 48MP main sensor. You also get a 16MP selfie shooter as opposed to just an 8MP sensor on both the XR20 and the G50. Some other noteworthy features of the Nokia G400 include expandable storage of up to 1TB via a microSD card. The Nokia G400 5G is also compatible with a lot of major carriers in the U.S., including Verizon, ATT, and more.
Nokia G50
Another great budget pick
The Nokia G50 is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a smartphone with good battery life and a large display to watch content on for long periods of time. It also has a decent chipset with 5G connectivity.
The Nokia G50 is also a solid pick in the value-for-money category as it offers a good mix of features and specifications for the price. It’s a great option for those who are looking for a decently powerful smartphone that has 5G, has clean software, and can last throughout the day or even more. It’s also very similar to the Nokia G400 in terms of overall specifications, so you’re only looking at a handful of differences.
The Nokia G50 sports a large 6.82-inch Full HD LCD panel with a dew-drop notch, and it’s powered by the Snapdragon 480 chipset, similar to XR20. In terms of optics, you get a 48MP triple camera setup at the back and an 8MP shooter on the front for the selfies. The phone also packs a 4,630mAh battery, which ensures that you get more than a full day’s worth of usage on a single charge. 5G connectivity and up to three years of Android updates are bonuses, so it brings a pretty good value to the table.
Nokia G20
For when you want the basics
The Nokia G20 is an upgraded version of the Nokia G10. It comes with a faster chip and more memory, and it also has a quad-camera setup.
The Nokia G20 is a great entry-level device that’s available for less than 200. It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it’s good for those who are looking to buy a basic Android phone. You can also consider buying it as a secondary device at that price. One of the highlights of the Nokia G10 is that it packs 5,050mAh, which the company says can last up for up to two days on a single charge. It’s powered by the relatively low-end Helio G35 chipset, which draws very little power.
There’s a 6.5-inch HD display for viewing content, and the phone has 4GB of RAM with up to 128GB of onboard storage. You can also expand the storage via a microSD card up to 512GB. As for the optics, there’s a quad camera setup at the back, which includes a 48MP main and a 5MP ultrawide sensor. The Nokia G20 runs Android 11 out of the box and has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security.
Nokia X30 5G
Or for those open to importing
The Nokia X30 5G is one of the newest Nokia phones on the market, but it’s not available to purchase in the U.S. just yet.
The Nokia X30 is one of the newest Nokia phones on the market, but it’s sadly not available in the U.S. yet. It’s a mid-ranger that sports a 90Hz FHD display and is powered by the Snapdragon 695 SoC. You can also buy it with up to 8GB of RAM, which is more in line with what you’d get with most smartphones in 2023. This is definitely the most powerful Nokia phone in this collection, and we hope it arrives in the U.S. sooner rather than later.
Some other noteworthy features of the Nokia X30 include an IP67 rating, a 4,200mAh battery with support for up to 33W fast charging, two rear cameras, and Android 12 out of the box.
Best Nokia phones to buy in 2023: Final thoughts
There aren’t a lot of Nokia phones available these days in the U.S., but we’ve managed to put together a healthy list of the best Nokia phones to buy right now, and there’s something for everyone. If we were to pick one then we’d go with the Nokia XR20. It’s very similar to the Nokia G400 when it comes to the overall package, but it has a slight edge with things like an IP68 rating and a more durable build with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. You can also buy the Nokia XR20 with more storage and memory, and it also comes with Zeiss optics, wireless charging, and more.
Nokia XR20
The Nokia XR20 is a rugged smartphone that has some decent specifications. If you’re looking for a phone that will last you a long time, this is a good option.
Nokia G22. A seamless smartphone experience
We’ve highlighted some other relatively affordable phones on this list, so be sure to explore all the options before picking one up. If you are open to buying phones from other brands, then be sure to check out our compilation of the best Android smartphones. If you’re specifically looking for affordable options, you can check out our list of the best cheap Android phones.
The best Nokia phones money can buy in 2023
The Nokia brand is once again making waves in the US but this time it is for the right reasons. HMD Global’s new phones have been pretty successful in Europe, and now it seems it is time for an American Nokia comeback. The days of Nokia using Windows Phone are long gone, and now the brand is all about making Android devices that are well built and can stand the test of time.
Which are the best Nokia phones to buy right now?
We’ve created a list below with the phones from HMD Global’s Brand. Let’s go.
- Nokia XR20 — the toughest of them all
- Nokia G50 — the Nokia with the best value
- Nokia 8.3— HMD Global’s best
- Nokia 400 — mastering the budget-friendly class
- Nokia G20 — a good looking cheap phone
- Nokia G50 — a nice affordable device
- Nokia G10 — the entry-level Nokia phone
Nokia XR20
6.7 inches 2400 x 1080 pixels 60Hz Refresh rate
48 MP (Dual camera) 8 MP front
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 6GB RAM
We kick off this list with a Nokia phone that emphasizes all that the brand is best known for. The Nokia XR20 is a rugged phone designed to withstand various drops and harsh conditions. However, unlike other rugged phones we’ve seen in the past, the XR20 looks pretty normal and not as bulky as other tough phones. This is great news for those that have always wanted a phone with rugged capabilities but were put off by an ugly-looking design.
The Nokia XR20 features a big 6.7-inch FHD LCD screen covered by Gorilla Glass Victus and a dual-camera system with 48MP main and 13MP ultrawide shooters with Zeiss optics. HMD Global’s rugged phone comes in either 4 or 6GB of RAM and 64 or 128GB of storage, which is expandable. This phone also has a relatively large 4,630mAh battery, with the Nokia device supporting 18W fast wired charging and 15W fast wireless charging. The Nokia XR20 has 5G connectivity thanks to its Snapdragon 480 processor.
This is a great phone for people who love the outdoors and love practicing different activities like hiking and climbing, and it is one of the best Nokia devices you can currently buy.
Nokia G50
6.8 inches 1560 x 720 pixels 60Hz Refresh rate
48 MP (Triple camera) 8 MP front
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 4GB RAM
This affordable Nokia phone offers great value, good looks, and comes with 5G connectivity. The Nokia G50 has a big HD display with a 6.82-inch screen size and a 48MP triple-camera system. It comes with either 4 or 6GB of RAM and 64 or 128GB of expandable storage. The fingerprint scanner is side-mounted on the Nokia G50. It also has a large 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast wired charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Overall the G50 with its specs and clean Android One software is one of the best Nokia phones to buy.
Nokia 8.3
6.8 inches 2400 x 1080 pixels
64 MP (Quad camera) 24 MP front
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 8GB RAM
Currently, this is Nokia’s best-specced phone in its lineup. The Nokia 8.3 is due to be replaced soon, and that’s the reason it often sees great discounts, making it a pretty good deal. This HMD Global phone still has solid specs though. The Nokia 8.3 rocks a big 6.81-inch LCD display with an FHD resolution. It is powered by a fast Snapdragon 765G processor with 5G connectivity. The Nokia 8.3 comes with either 6 or 8GB of RAM and 64 or 128GB of expandable stor.
HMD Global’s phone also has a pretty good quad-camera system with a 64MP main shooter and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The front punch-hole camera is an impressive 24MP sensor. The Nokia 8.3 has a 4,500mAh battery with 18W fast wired charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack. This phone doesn’t impress only with specs and price, but also with its stylish looks.
Nokia G400
The Nokia G400 is another HMD Global budget device which holds its ground. This affordable great-value phone has a 6.58-inch screen size and a 48MP triple-camera setup. It is powered by a Snapdragon 480 chip coupled with 4 of RAM and 64 of expandable storage. Considering its price, this phone is one one of the vest value offerings in the Android world. It also isn’t bad looking.
Nokia G20
48 MP (Quad camera) 8 MP front
This device is the successor to the previous phone, and it too offers great value for money. The Nokia G20 has similar specs compared to the 5.4. It uses a newer MediaTek Helio G35 chip, but it still doesn’t have 5G connectivity. The design is refreshed, and the battery is larger at 5,050mAh, offering strong battery life. Running Android One, the G20 offers a clean software experience. It is one of the best Nokia phones to buy today.
Nokia G50
6.8 inches 1560 x 720 pixels 60Hz Refresh rate
48 MP (Triple camera) 8 MP front
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 4GB RAM
HMD Global’s Nokia G50 isn’t the newest out there, but with its very affordable price and good specs, it is an almost perfect entry-level smartphone. This phone has a big display, a good Snapdragon 480 processor, and a nicely-sized 5,000mAh battery which can last up to two days. Yes, there’s nothing impressive about the Nokia G50, but for its price of 299 you can’t really ask for much more.
Nokia G10
13 MP (Triple camera) 8 MP front
Last, but definitely not least, is HMD Global’s cheapest Nokia phone. The Nokia G10 has a big 6.5-inch HD display, a 13MP triple-camera system capable of shooting some decent photos, and a large 5,050mAh battery which can last for days. It is powered by MediaTek’s Helio G25 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM and 32 or 64GB of storage, which thankfully is expandable. At its 149 retail price, it is a bargain. We recommend both the Nokia G10 and the Nokia 3.4 for older people and also kids because of their big displays, unproblematic clean Android software, and affordable price. They are the perfect first Nokia phone.
Is Nokia worth buying in 2023?
While the days of Nokia being a major player in the phone industry might be long gone, under HMD Global’s ownership, the brand has thrived and recovered pretty well from its Microsoft Windows Phone disaster.
The new Nokia-branded phones offer great value, a clean Android experience, good software support, and nice build quality. They are perfect for people who just want a smartphone that works, has a large battery, and won’t break the Yes, there aren’t any flagships in the Nokia brand’s lineup, so there is still something to be desired.
We must admit that in 2023 Nokia phones aren’t all that interesting or impressive, but sometimes that’s a good thing, and it somehow works for the brand, as shown by its recent success in the industry. Focusing on making solid budget phones which people buy because of their affordability and the good memories from the brand’s past is a recipe HMD Global has embraced.
To sum it up, Nokia phones are definitely worth buying in 2023 because of their great value-for-money and good support. It is also cool to own a Nokia phone these days, as most people, especially in the US, believe they are extinct. Going to a party with a Nokia smartphone might be even cooler than going with an iPhone 14 Pro Max, as it is guaranteed the Nokia will make more of a statement.
The Nokia phones that changed the world (and some crazy ones)
In the 80s, 90s and 2000s, Nokia regularly shifted the gadget-time continuum with its crazy concepts and unbreakable bricks. We’ve got fond memories of the original 3310 (good luck beating our Snake high score, people), but there are countless more iconic models. Many could have been considered among the best smartphones on sale at the time. We’ve revisited the best Nokia phones ever – but this little wander down memory lane also takes in a few models that weren’t so classic.
Because Nokia was out on its own, beholden to no one, its moments of brilliant boundary-pushing were matched by moments of the purest wrong-headedness the tech world has ever seen. Some of its more experimental designs were utter howlers, both aesthetically and ergonomically. Their like may never be seen again, and in a curious way, we regret their passing almost as much as we do those of such design greats as the 3310 and Lumia 800. So join us in celebrating a time when it didn’t seem the height of daftness to organise your alphanumeric keyboard like a clock.
Nokia Cityman (1987)
Available in “450” and “900” editions (named for the frequencies in MHz they used on the Nordic Mobile Telephony system), the Cityman was Nokia’s first mobile phone and regarded as a sleek, high-end and highly desirable product. How times change. The brick-like handset established the Finnish company as a major telephony player by 1988, helped Nokia secure almost 15 percent of the global mobile phone market.
Nokia 5110 (1998)
One of the many Nokia models that became near-ubiquitous in British universities, high streets and offices, the 5110 was nigh-on impervious to anything the world could throw at it, had excellent battery life and, of course, came with the beloved Snake on board. You could also pop off the front panel and swap it with one of several bright-coloured replacements because, well, customisation.
Nokia 3650 (2002)
Understandably, Nokia was keen to talk up the 3650’s video capture abilities in ads, resulting in the above TV spot which attracted – again, understandably – a considerable amount of criticism from cat lovers. It’s about as tasteful as that circular keypad.
Nokia 3310 (2000)
A handset so hardy and dependable it spawned a meme, the 3310 also sold like hotcakes. Nokia shifted almost 130 million of these brick-like reliability machines: if you laid them end-to-end, they’d reach from Helsinki to Santiago, Chile. It was hugely popular with text addicts, as it allowed messages of 459 characters (three times the norm) and displayed chats in easy-to-follow threaded form.
Nokia N90 (2005)
The N90 was one of three handsets launched by Nokia at the glitzy Nseries intro event back in 2005. This was a massive leap forward at the time: a recognition that phones and computers were finally coalescing.
The other devices launched – the altogether less bonkers N70 and the ludicrously oversized N91 (which had a 4GB hard disk for music storage inside – yep, a mechanical hard disk, spinning platters and all) – pushed boundaries in their own ways, but the N90 was the most overtly ‘converged’ device, looking as it did like a camcorder with phone buttons grafted on.
It felt like the future, albeit a bit of a clunky, silly future in which phones were going to be far less ergonomic for a bit. But these Nseries devices were the precursors of the multi-purpose smartphones of today, and the N90 can rightly claim to be the grandfather of the 23MP Xperia XZ and dual camera-wielding LG G5s that occupy the modern tech landscape.
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Nokia 6810 (2004)
There was certainly a point when Nokia would throw everything at the design wall in case something stuck. Case in point: the 6810’s fold-out QWERTY keyboard, which looked totally ridiculous but actually allowed reasonably fast typing for texts and emails. Heck, even BlackBerry email was supported by this Optimus Prime of the telephony world.
Nokia N93 (2006)
Video quality was pitched – as you can see in the glossy TV ad above, starring none other that Gary Oldman – as “DVD quality”, although in reality the camera was more suited to capturing happy slapping incidents than Hollywood-style glossiness. Still, at the time of its launch, it was the world’s finest camera phone, and also offered cutting edge features such as Wi-Fi and 3G.
Nokia 9110 Communicator (1998)
At the time of its release the N95 was the world’s most powerful smartphone – a true computer that could do, it seemed at the time, almost anything. A two-way sliding design, 5MP camera, GPS and a Flash-compatible web browser made it a truly versatile, groundbreaking device, and were it not for the iPhone’s arrival and subsequent changing of the smartphone market, the N95’d be in with a shot for the best smartphone of all time.
Nokia 8110 (1996)
The real-life 8110 lacked the spring-loaded mouthpiece/keypad cover, which was added by the movie’s prop-makers for sheer coolness factor, but there was good news for fans three years down the line, when the lookalike Nokia 7110 (see further down our list) popped up in shops complete with the satisfying slide-down action they’d been waiting for.
Nokia 3210 (1999)
If you’re of a certain age, you probably owned this phone. If you did, you were in a club that consisted of 160 million people worldwide. One of the first mobiles to do away with a visible exterior aerial, it was tough, reliable and (for the time) compact. Excuse us a second – we’re getting misty-eyed just thinking about all the formative years texts we sent on this bad boy.
Nokia 6310 (2002)
Don’t let its basic (but admittedly gaudy) candybar looks fool you: the 6310 was a business-minded blower with such exec-friendly features as Bluetooth (for the ubiquitous headset) and a voice memo recorder.
The pic above is actually the 6310i, an updated model released a year later and equipped with a blue monochrome screen and triband reception. Famed for its outstanding battery life and feted for its compatibility with in-car phone docks around the globe, it still fetches decent on eBay. Indomitable.
Nokia E71 (2008)
The phone that out-BlackBerried BlackBerry and thumbed its nose at the iPhone’s vulgar touchscreen stylings was a one-time Stuff favourite. A truly Smart (as in, well dressed) phone, its metal body, crisp(ish, for 2008) 320×240 screen and wonderful keyboard meant it spent as much time being caressed and drawing admiring glances in the boardroom as it did being used for actual work.
Because it was so focused on specific tasks, its Symbian S60 operating system seemed slick and functional: expectations were lower on this than they were on, say, the multimedia-centric N95. But it still had the toys – A-GPS navigation, a 3.15MP camera and an FM radio – and its battery kept on giving, too.
Nokia 7650 (2001)
What you can’t really tell from the image here is that the 7650 was a big old unit too, almost too big to be considered a comfortable phone. Watch the ad above and you’ll get more of an idea of its bulk – as well as a bit of mild sexism courtesy of Nokia’s ad agency.
Nokia 7110 (1999)
It also offered a clickable wheel to make scrolling easier, and the spring-loaded keypad cover/mouthpiece is something of a design masterstroke.
Nokia 7600 (2004)
If you want an example of how quickly trends have changed, here it is: the 7600’s teardrop shape was intended to make it appealing to fashionable young things – none of whom would be seen dead whipping out one of these oddities today.
Incredibly tricky to use and fairly underpowered for a 3G phone, it serves as a warning to manufacturers: thinking “outside of the box” doesn’t always pay off.
Nokia 8210 (1999)
Exceedingly compact and lightweight (a mere 79g), this candybar was compatible with Xpress-on interchangeable covers and featured an infrared port allowing it to wirelessly communicate with printers and PCs – a sort of massively primitive Bluetooth.
Nokia 808 PureView (2012)
With the 808, Nokia introduced the 41MP PureView camera, which delivered some of the finest stills and videos ever produced by a phone at the time.
Unfortunately it was tied to Symbian 3 – by 2012 clearly an operating system without a future – and priced at £500, so was never going to be a success.
Nokia 8800 (2005)
A slick slider (it used ball bearings to deliver a smoother action) with a stainless steel outer shell, the 8800 was billed as a premium device – and the MP3 playback, scratch-resistant screen and build quality lived up to that billing.
Sadly the battery life was more of a bargain basement-type situation, with many users discovering that multiple charges were required every day. We suppose that at least had the benefit of getting them ready to deal with the all-too-brief battery life of today’s high powered smartphones.
Nokia 7280 (2004)
Ah, Nokia – this is what we’ll really miss about you. The 7280, one of Nokia’s Fashion Phone line-up, was as gorgeous as it was gloriously impractical. Why select numbers and letters with buttons when a scrollwheel can make the process so much more difficult and long-winded?
It was a tiny device, hence its being nicknamed the ‘lipstick phone’. And, acknowledging that only a friendless hermit (or perhaps someone with a slave they could get to do the data entry) could possibly use it as their primary phone, the SIM was uncharacteristically easy to access – you just popped it out of your daytime phone and slapped it in the side of the 7280 for the night’s activities. It even had a mirrored screen for checking one’s mascara, and a VGA camera for taking candids at The Ambassador’s Reception.
An occasional dress phone, then. For the BAFTAs and whatnot. Brilliantly bonkers.
Nokia Lumia 1020 (2013)
Now this is more like it: a 41MP PureView camera tied to a decent OS (Windows Phone). The Lumia 1020 is, in our humble opinion, the finest camera phone ever made – and was Nokia’s last ever flagship device before the company was sold to Microsoft.
And that was that – until HMD bought the rights to the Nokia name. 2017 should be the year Nokia’s smartphone expertise lives on in the next generation of HMD-created devices.
