Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) 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 8.1 (also known as Nokia X7) is a mid-range smartphone that captures attention with its sleek and premium design. Its glass back and aluminum frame give it a sophisticated look, while the notch display adds a modern touch. Running on stock Android 9.0 Pie, the phone offers a clean and clutter-free user experience. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset and offering 4GB or 6GB of RAM, the Nokia 8.1 delivers smooth performance for multitasking and gaming. The dual-camera setup on the back captures detailed and vibrant photos, while the 20MP front camera takes impressive selfies. With a 3500mAh battery and fast charging support, the Nokia 8.1 keeps you powered up all day long. Available in 64GB or 128GB storage options, the Nokia 8.1 offers great value for its competitive price.

Design and Build Quality

The Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) boasts a sleek and premium design that exudes elegance. Its physical appearance is enhanced by a combination of design elements, including an aluminum frame and a glass back panel. The use of these materials not only gives the device a premium look and feel but also adds to its durability. The build quality of the Nokia 8.1 is commendable, with a robust construction that instills confidence in its sturdiness. The form factor of the phone is ergonomic, offering a comfortable grip and ensuring one-handed usability. The weight and dimensions of the device are well-balanced, making it portable and easy to handle. The finishing touches on the Nokia 8.1 are noteworthy, with attention to detail evident in the placement of buttons and controls. The bezels are minimal, maximizing the screen-to-body ratio and providing an immersive viewing experience. Overall, the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) excels in terms of aesthetics, build quality, and design, offering a device that is not only visually appealing but also practical and reliable in everyday use.

Display

The Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) boasts a 6.18-inch IPS LCD display that offers a visually immersive experience. With a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels, the screen delivers sharp and detailed visuals, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming. The display's aspect ratio provides an extended vertical viewing area, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The LCD technology employed in the Nokia 8.1 ensures accurate color reproduction and vibrant visuals. The colors on the screen appear vivid and true to life, enhancing the user's multimedia experience. Additionally, the display offers a wide color gamut, allowing for rich and vivid hues.

In terms of brightness levels, the Nokia 8.1 provides ample brightness for comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions, including outdoor environments. The display also features an anti-reflective coating, reducing glare and improving visibility even under direct sunlight.

The touch responsiveness of the display is impressive, allowing for smooth and effortless navigation. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability and resistance to scratches.

With a pixel density that results in crisp details, the display of the Nokia 8.1 provides a visually appealing experience. The viewing angles are wide, ensuring that the content remains visible even when viewed from different angles.

The Nokia 8.1 also offers features like an adaptive brightness setting, which automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions. Additionally, it includes a blue light filter to reduce eye strain during prolonged usage.

Overall, the Nokia 8.1's display delivers a visually stunning experience with its sharp resolution, accurate colors, and impressive brightness levels. Whether it's watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games, the Nokia 8.1's display is a standout feature that enhances the overall user experience.

Performance

The performance of the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) is commendable thanks to its powerful chipset and efficient GPU. Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset and coupled with 4GB or 6GB of RAM, this device delivers a smooth and lag-free user experience.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Nokia 8.1 performs admirably. The GPU benchmarks and gaming benchmarks indicate its ability to handle graphically demanding games with ease. The graphics scores achieved in benchmark tests highlight the device's prowess in rendering high-quality visuals during gaming sessions.

When it comes to CPU benchmarks and processor performance, the Nokia 8.1 stands out among its competitors. The processor's efficiency ensures that multitasking is a breeze, allowing users to switch between apps seamlessly. App loading speeds are swift, further enhancing the overall user experience.

The Nokia 8.1's performance is further enhanced by its system optimization and thermal management. The device efficiently manages resources, optimizing performance while minimizing power consumption. This contributes to the device's smooth operation and extended battery life.

Although specific benchmark scores were not provided, the Nokia 8.1's performance metrics indicate its ability to handle demanding tasks with ease. The combination of a powerful chipset, efficient GPU, and ample RAM ensures a smooth and responsive performance across various applications and tasks.

Overall, the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) delivers impressive performance, allowing users to enjoy a lag-free and seamless experience. Whether it's gaming, multitasking, or everyday app usage, this device excels in providing a smooth and efficient performance.

Software and User Interface

The Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) runs on the stock Android 9.0 Pie operating system, offering a clean and bloatware-free user experience. One of the key advantages of the stock Android is its simplicity and user-friendliness. Nokia has focused on providing a clean and clutter-free interface, ensuring a smooth and intuitive navigation experience.

With the stock Android, you can expect regular software updates and security patches directly from Google, ensuring that your device stays up to date with the latest features and improvements. This is a significant advantage over other smartphones that often come with custom interfaces and delayed software updates.

The software customization options on the Nokia 8.1 are limited compared to other brands, but this can also be seen as a positive aspect for those who prefer a more streamlined and consistent experience. The absence of pre-installed apps and bloatware allows users to have more control over their device and customize it according to their needs.

The stock Android interface on the Nokia 8.1 is clean and minimalistic, making it easy to navigate and find the desired settings and apps. The lack of unnecessary features and complex menus enhances the overall user experience, especially for those who prefer a straightforward and hassle-free interface.

Overall, the software experience on the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) is commendable, thanks to the stock Android 9.0 Pie operating system. It offers a clean, user-friendly interface, regular software updates, and a lack of bloatware, providing a smooth and enjoyable user experience.

Camera

The camera of the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) is a standout feature, offering impressive image quality and a range of useful camera features. The rear camera setup consists of a 12-megapixel primary sensor with a wide aperture for capturing detailed shots, even in low-light conditions. The secondary 13-megapixel depth sensor helps to achieve accurate bokeh effects in portrait mode. The camera performs exceptionally well in daylight photography, producing images with natural colors, sharpness, and good dynamic range.

When it comes to low-light performance, the Nokia 8.1's camera does a commendable job. With its low-light sensitivity and noise reduction capabilities, it captures clear and detailed images in challenging lighting situations. The device also offers a dedicated night mode, which further enhances low-light photography by reducing noise and improving overall image quality.

In addition to photo capabilities, the Nokia 8.1 excels in video recording. It supports 4K video recording, allowing users to capture high-resolution videos with excellent detail. The camera also features video stabilization, ensuring smooth and shake-free footage. Slow-motion video and time-lapse modes are also available, providing creative options for capturing unique moments. The device supports various video formats, making it versatile for different editing and sharing needs.

Overall, the camera of the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) delivers impressive results in both photography and videography, making it a compelling choice for users who prioritize capturing high-quality content.

Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) offers a reliable performance. It is equipped with a 3500mAh battery, which provides enough power to last through a full day of moderate usage. Whether you are browsing the web, streaming videos, or playing games, the battery should be able to handle it without needing a recharge. Additionally, the phone supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up your battery when needed. With the right charger, you can get a decent amount of charge in a short period of time. While the Nokia 8.1 does not support wireless charging, the fast charging capabilities make up for it. Overall, the battery performance of the Nokia 8.1 is impressive and should meet the needs of most users.

Connectivity and Networking

The Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) offers a wide range of connectivity options to keep you connected on the go. It supports 4G LTE, ensuring fast data speeds and network compatibility across various carriers. The device also supports Wi-Fi, allowing you to connect to wireless networks and enjoy internet browsing and streaming. With Bluetooth 5.0, you can easily connect to other Bluetooth-enabled devices and enjoy wireless audio streaming or transfer files quickly. Additionally, the phone features NFC technology, enabling contactless payments and easy pairing with compatible devices. The Nokia 8.1 comes with a USB Type-C port, which not only provides fast charging but also allows for data transfer between devices. This device also offers dual SIM capabilities, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously for added convenience. Other connectivity options include GPS for accurate navigation and a mobile hotspot feature that lets you share your internet connection with other devices. With its extensive connectivity options and support for various wireless standards, the Nokia 8.1 ensures you stay connected wherever you go.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) with other related gadgets in the market, it's important to consider its key features, specifications, performance, and pricing. Let's take a closer look at how it stacks up against its competitors.

In terms of design, the Nokia 8.1 stands out with its premium glass back and aluminum frame, giving it a sleek and modern look. It can be compared to devices like the Samsung Galaxy A50 and Xiaomi Mi 9T, which also offer attractive designs in the mid-range segment.

The display of the Nokia 8.1 is a 6.18-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels. While it provides good color reproduction and sharpness, devices like the OnePlus 7 and Google Pixel 3a offer AMOLED displays, which generally offer deeper blacks and more vibrant colors.

Performance-wise, the Nokia 8.1 is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset, paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM. It delivers smooth performance and handles multitasking well, comparable to devices such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro and Oppo Reno 2. However, if you're looking for flagship-level performance, devices like the OnePlus 7T or Samsung Galaxy S10 would be better options.

One of the standout features of the Nokia 8.1 is its stock Android 9.0 Pie software, which provides a clean and bloatware-free user experience. This is in contrast to devices like the Samsung Galaxy A50 and Xiaomi Mi 9T, which come with their respective custom UI skins.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Nokia 8.1 features a dual-camera setup with a 12MP primary sensor and a 13MP depth sensor. It captures detailed and vibrant photos, but it may not match the camera performance of devices like the Google Pixel 3a or Huawei P30 Pro, known for their exceptional camera prowess.

When considering the battery life, the Nokia 8.1's 3500mAh battery provides all-day usage, similar to devices like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro and Oppo Reno 2. However, if you're looking for longer battery life, devices like the Motorola Moto G7 Power or Samsung Galaxy M30s offer larger battery capacities.

In terms of pricing, the Nokia 8.1 offers good value for money, sitting in the mid-range segment. It competes with devices like the Samsung Galaxy A50, Xiaomi Mi 9T, and OnePlus 7 in terms of price and features.

Overall, the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) offers a solid mid-range smartphone option with its attractive design, smooth performance, clean software experience, and competitive pricing. However, it faces tough competition from devices that may offer better displays, camera performance, or flagship-level performance at similar price points.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

Conclusion: The Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that offers a premium design, smooth performance, and clean software experience. The device impresses with its notch display, powerful Snapdragon 710 chipset, and ample RAM. The camera setup captures detailed photos, and the battery life is sufficient for everyday use. The inclusion of stock Android 9.0 Pie ensures a clutter-free user interface and promises timely software updates. Overall, the Nokia 8.1 (Nokia X7) is a reliable and affordable option for those seeking a mid-range phone with a premium feel.