Nokia 2.1 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Nokia 2.1 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a surprising array of features for its price range. With its large 5.5-inch screen and stereo speakers, this phone is perfect for media consumption. The design may be basic, but it is solid and durable, making it a great choice for those on a budget. The Nokia 2.1 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo and is part of the Android One program, ensuring regular software updates. With its 1.4GHz Snapdragon 425 processor and 4,000mAh battery, this phone provides decent performance and impressive battery life. Priced around $115, the Nokia 2.1 offers excellent value for money.

Design and Build Quality

The Nokia 2.1 is designed with simplicity and functionality in mind. Its basic and straightforward aesthetic may not turn heads, but it is built to withstand daily use. The phone features a plastic construction with a removable rear cover, allowing for easy access to the battery. The matte-finished back panel provides a comfortable grip and doesn't attract fingerprint smudges. While it may lack the sleek design and premium look and feel of more expensive smartphones, it makes up for it with its robustness and sturdiness. The physical dimensions of the Nokia 2.1 are on the larger side, which may be a drawback for those with smaller hands, but it does offer a larger 5.5-inch screen for media consumption. The bezels around the display are noticeable, but they don't hinder the overall usability of the phone. The placement of buttons and controls is intuitive, allowing for easy one-handed operation. Despite its budget-friendly price, the Nokia 2.1 delivers a solid build quality and construction that ensures durability. Overall, while it may not have the most eye-catching design elements, the Nokia 2.1 is a reliable and practical device that gets the job done.

Display

The Nokia 2.1 features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. While it may not offer the highest pixel density, the screen is sharp enough for everyday use, such as browsing the web, watching videos, and playing games. The colors on the display are accurate, although the saturation levels are not as vibrant as higher-tier smartphones.

In terms of brightness, the Nokia 2.1 performs adequately, providing decent visibility even under direct sunlight. However, it lacks an anti-reflective coating, which means that reflections may be more noticeable in bright outdoor conditions.

The touch responsiveness of the display is smooth and responsive, allowing for effortless navigation and accurate typing.

Unfortunately, the Nokia 2.1 does not come with any display protection such as Gorilla Glass, so users may want to consider applying a screen protector to prevent scratches.

Overall, the Nokia 2.1's display offers a satisfactory viewing experience for its price range, with decent colors, visibility, and touch responsiveness. However, it may not satisfy users who prioritize high-resolution displays or advanced display technologies such as OLED or HDR.

Performance

The performance of the Nokia 2.1 is an area where it falls short compared to its competitors. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 425 chipset with a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, which is a modest configuration for a budget device. In benchmark tests, the Nokia 2.1 scored lower compared to other devices in its price range.

When it comes to gaming capabilities, the Nokia 2.1 struggles to deliver a smooth gaming experience. The Adreno 308 GPU lacks support for OpenGL ES 3.1, limiting its graphics scores and overall gaming performance. The phone may handle basic games with ease, but more demanding games may experience lag and frame drops.

In terms of multitasking performance, the Nokia 2.1's 1GB of RAM may prove to be a limitation. Switching between apps and loading times can be slower compared to devices with higher RAM capacities. However, for basic tasks like web browsing and social media, the performance is adequate.

The system optimization and thermal management of the Nokia 2.1 are not as efficient as higher-end devices. During extensive use or gaming, the phone may heat up, which can affect its performance and longevity. Users should be mindful of extended gaming sessions to prevent overheating.

It is worth noting that the Nokia 2.1 is designed for entry-level users who prioritize affordability over top-of-the-line performance. While it may not excel in synthetic benchmarks or offer a high-end gaming experience, it still delivers a smooth user experience for everyday tasks like calls, messaging, and browsing.

Overall, the Nokia 2.1's performance is suitable for basic usage but falls short in more demanding tasks like gaming or multitasking. If you're looking for a budget device with smooth performance and lag-free experience, you may need to consider other options in its price range.

Software and User Interface

The Nokia 2.1 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo, which is a slightly older version of the operating system. While it may not have the latest Android features, it does benefit from being part of the Android One program, which ensures timely updates. The phone offers a clean and user-friendly interface, with minimal customization. This can be a plus for those who prefer a stock Android experience without any unnecessary bloatware or pre-installed apps that take up storage space. The simplicity of the software makes it easy to navigate and use the phone without any confusion. However, the downside is that the Nokia 2.1 may not have some of the advanced features found in more expensive smartphones. Overall, the software on the Nokia 2.1 is basic but functional, providing a smooth and straightforward user experience.

Camera

The Nokia 2.1 comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera, offering a basic photography experience. The main camera has autofocus and a single-tone LED flash, allowing for decent image quality in well-lit conditions. The camera performs better in daylight photography, capturing natural colors and good sharpness. However, in low-light situations, the camera's performance is limited, with noticeable noise and reduced sharpness. The phone lacks advanced features like image stabilization or a dedicated night mode for improved low-light sensitivity. There is no mention of HDR or panorama mode, which may limit the camera's versatility. The Nokia 2.1 does not support 4K video recording, but it can capture videos in various formats. The absence of video stabilization may result in shaky footage. While the camera on the Nokia 2.1 is basic and lacks advanced features, it can still capture decent photos in well-lit conditions, making it suitable for casual photography needs.

Battery Life

The Nokia 2.1 is equipped with a generous 4,000mAh battery, which provides impressive battery life. With its power-efficient Snapdragon 425 processor and optimized software, the phone can easily last a full day on a single charge. The battery capacity ensures that users can enjoy extended screen-on time for activities such as browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games. While the Nokia 2.1 does not support fast charging or wireless charging options, the included 10W power brick allows for efficient charging. The phone also offers battery optimization features to maximize battery performance, including a battery saver mode that reduces background activity and extends battery endurance. Overall, the Nokia 2.1's battery delivers reliable performance and provides users with a satisfactory battery backup for their day-to-day usage.

Connectivity and Networking

The Nokia 2.1 offers a range of connectivity options to ensure users stay connected wherever they go. It supports 4G LTE network compatibility, allowing for fast data speeds and smooth browsing. Additionally, the phone features dual SIM support, allowing users to easily switch between two different phone numbers or plans.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Nokia 2.1 is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. It supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, ensuring a stable and reliable internet connection. The Bluetooth version is not specified, but it is likely to be a newer version that offers faster data transfer and improved connectivity with compatible devices.

For navigation purposes, the Nokia 2.1 has GPS built-in, allowing users to accurately track their location and use navigation apps. It also has NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, enabling contactless payments and quick data transfer between compatible devices.

In terms of physical connectivity, the Nokia 2.1 features a microUSB port for charging and file transfer. While it does not have the newer USB-C port, the microUSB port is still widely supported and compatible with most accessories and chargers.

Overall, the Nokia 2.1 offers a range of connectivity options, including 4G LTE, dual SIM support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS. These features ensure that users can easily stay connected, browse the internet, make payments, and navigate with ease.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When it comes to comparing the Nokia 2.1 with related gadgets in the market, it becomes clear that Nokia is targeting the budget segment with this device. In terms of design, the Nokia 2.1 has a basic plastic body, which is not as attractive as some of its competitors in the same price range. However, it does offer a dual-tone finish and a larger 5.5-inch screen compared to its predecessor, the Nokia 2.

In terms of performance, the Nokia 2.1 is equipped with a 1.4GHz Snapdragon 425 processor, which is an improvement over its predecessor. However, when compared to other budget smartphones in the market, such as the Xiaomi Redmi 5A or the Moto E5 Play, the Nokia 2.1 falls behind in terms of processing power and RAM. This may result in slower performance and laggy user experience, especially when running multiple apps or demanding games.

When it comes to camera capabilities, the Nokia 2.1 features an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera. While these specifications are decent for a budget device, there are other phones in the same price range that offer better camera performance, such as the Xiaomi Redmi 6A or the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core.

In terms of battery life, the Nokia 2.1 excels with its large 4,000mAh battery. This allows for extended usage and can be a major advantage for those who prioritize long-lasting battery life. However, competitors such as the Xiaomi Redmi 6A or the Huawei Y5 Lite also offer similar battery capacities at a lower price point.

When considering the overall value for money, the Nokia 2.1 may not be the most cost-effective option in the budget segment. There are other devices in the market that offer better specifications and performance at a similar or lower price point. However, Nokia does have a strong brand reputation and a loyal customer base, which may be a competitive advantage for the Nokia 2.1. Additionally, Nokia's commitment to providing timely software updates through the Android One program is a unique feature that sets it apart from some of its competitors.

In conclusion, while the Nokia 2.1 offers some notable features such as a large battery and the Android One program, it falls behind in terms of performance, camera capabilities, and overall value for money when compared to other devices in the budget segment.

Pros and Cons

Overall, the Nokia 2.1 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers some notable features but also has its fair share of drawbacks. The affordability of this device makes it an attractive option for those on a tight budget. The large 5.5-inch screen is great for media consumption, and the stereo speakers provide an enhanced audio experience.

However, the design of the Nokia 2.1 is basic and made of plastic, which may not appeal to those looking for a more premium feel. It also lacks some modern features like a fingerprint scanner and water resistance rating. The limited storage at 8GB may be a concern for users who rely on multiple apps, games, and photos.

Furthermore, the performance of the Nokia 2.1 is disappointing with a slow CPU and limited RAM, resulting in laggy and sluggish performance. The camera quality is also subpar, especially in low-light conditions. On the positive side, the phone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo and is part of the Android One program, ensuring timely updates.

Ultimately, if you're on a tight budget and prioritize a large screen and decent battery life, the Nokia 2.1 may be worth considering. However, if performance and storage are important factors for you, it might be worth exploring other options in a similar price range.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Nokia 2.1 offers a budget-friendly option for those looking for a basic smartphone experience. With its large screen and dual front-firing stereo speakers, it provides an enjoyable media consumption experience. However, the phone falls short in terms of performance, with a slow processor and limited RAM, resulting in laggy performance. The storage is also quite limited, which may be a drawback for those who use a lot of apps or take many photos. The battery life, on the other hand, is a redeeming factor, providing decent endurance. Overall, the Nokia 2.1 is a suitable choice for those on a tight budget, but it may not meet the expectations of power users.