Nokia is back, thanks to fellow Finnish company HMD Global and it's not just for the nostalgia of the 3310. Here are the best Nokia phones you can buy right now
If you’re older than 25, chances are your first phone was a Nokia. The classic 3310 was in the pockets of as many school children as businessmen at a time the Finnish brand completely dominated the global phone market.
Fast-forward to 2021 and things are very different. Nokia exists, but as a brand name for fellow Finnish company HMD Global. For all intents and purposes though, we have a host of Nokia phones to recommend to you – both feature phones and smartphones.
Ranging from the cutesy restyling of old classics, right up to high-end specs of slick smartphones to rival Samsung and Google, Nokia has a decent range. Its version of Android is close to stock and uncluttered, and it's been pretty good at ensuring a vast number of its devices stay current by receiving a jump to the next version of Android and beyond (not to mention long-term security updates, too).
Some phones listed here reach a little further back in time but Nokia is consistently releasing handsets across the budget and mid-range markets. Here are the best Nokia phones you can buy today.
1. Nokia 8.3 5G
The Nokia 8.3 5G's large 6.81in FHD+ display, clean build of Android and Zeiss camera setup are standout inclusions, alongside its signature wide 5G band support.
The main 64Mp Zeiss-engineered snapper is a big improvement on other recent implementations within the Nokia family and a dedicated Cinema video mode allows you to shoot video in up to 4K@30fps in 21:9, with optional H-Log capabilities.
Couple that with two years of Android OS updates and all-day battery life, and you’ve got a great 5G-enabled mid-range smartphone on your hands.
Read our full Nokia 8.3 5G review
2. Nokia 7.2
The Nokia 7.2 is an affordable phone focused on design, offering a rather unique build when compared to most of the smooth, rounded smartphones on the market. With much more prominent angles, the Nokia 7.2 stands out, and the light refracting glass on the rear does a good job at providing a premium look.
The internals are fairly standard for the price; boasting a Snapdragon 660 alongside either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and the performance reflects this. Nokia wanted the Zeiss-manufactured lenses to be the star of the show but we've found the camera setup to be hit-and-miss, with great performance from the 48Mp sensor but disappointing results from the ultrawide camera by comparison.
3. Nokia 5.3
The Nokia 5.3 offers a lot for a phone at its price point. The main camera produces clear and sharp images, with very vivid colours, plus the 4,000mAh battery doesn't disappoint, with around a day and half's worth of usage per charge.
But at this price, compromises have to be made. The downsides of 5.3 include poor-quality speakers, a relatively low-resolution screen and the secondary cameras downgrade the quality of images significantly.
If you use your phone for watching lots of videos, the Nokia 5.3 probably isn't for you. If however, you're looking for a cheaper phone that does the basics well, then there's no harm in keeping the 5.3 in mind.
Read our full Nokia 5.3 review
4. Nokia 3310 (2019)
There's no getting around the fact that the Nokia 3310 is a play for nostalgia, and how much you care will depend on how much affection you have for the Nokia bricks of old.
It’s not going to replace your smartphone - and it doesn’t try to - but it can serve as a cheap supplement (although the SIM size is annoying). And yeah, you can already buy other feature phones for cheaper, but between the epic battery life and the sheer Nokia factor (including Snake!) we know where our loyalties lie.
5. Nokia 3.4
The Nokia 3.4's affordability is best felt in its surprisingly-capable camera setup, its decent 6.39in screen and the fact that Android One makes for an enjoyable user experience.
Much like the Nokia 1.3 and 2.4, performance is the 3.4's undoing; with too many inconsistencies to make this an easy budget recommendation.
Read our full Nokia 3.4 review
6. Nokia 2.4
When it comes to budget smartphones, particularly ones as affordable as the Nokia 2.4, it becomes a case of questioning how liveable using such a phone every day would be and considering whether or not it'd be better to simply save and pick up a far more capable device for a little more.
In the case of the Nokia 2.4, while it's expectedly sluggish and the camera isn't going to win any awards, it does pack a few surprises. There's a decent night mode, a nice large 6.5in display and a wonderfully clean Android experience on offer.
If you’re willing to be patient, it will get the job done, and you could do a lot worse for the price.
Read our full Nokia 2.4 review
7. Nokia 1.3
Like the pricier 2.4, the super-affordable Nokia 1.3 features a screen that surpasses expectations and good battery life, as well as a compact design.
The flip-side is that performance, even when using Android Lite and Go-optimised apps, lacks fluidity to make this a worthwhile recommendation as anything other than a backup phone.
Read our full Nokia 1.3 review
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