Some decades ago, Nokia was the big name in the realm of cellphones. But with the introduction of touch screens and WiFi capabilities, the Finland-based tech company fell under the radar. But it is now ready for its grand re-introduction to the world of smartphones via the newly unveiled Nokia 6.
Before the Nokia 6 was unveiled, the company had released a handful of models under Microsoft's mobile operating system. And while there may not have been anything particularly wrong with these handhelds, they definitely paled in comparison to the competition. As such, Nokia was put to the back of the public's minds as nothing more than a whiff of nostalgia.
Digital Trends notes that the Nokia 6 was built in partnership with HMD, a company that was built to specifically release hardware under Nokia. And the recently unveiled smartphone is only the first of several that will be released this year. The publication claims that the two companies are expected to release up to seven handhelds before the year comes to a close.
The Nokia 6 has a 5.5 inch HD screen with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and runs on the latest Android 7.0 Nougat operating system. There is as much as 64GB of built-in storage and a microSD card slot to expand the same, as well as 4GB or RAM. Its rear and front facing cameras are 16 megapixels and 8 megapixels as well. And the best part is that it is only US$245 - classic Nokia.
However, there are drawbacks to the device as well, one of which is that it does not have as much power as other flagships. The Nokia 6 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, which is definitely not the strongest or most recent in the market. Furthermore, the publication adds that it sports a USB 2.0 port which is likewise not the most modern port to sport. Lastly, it is only available in China at this point with no announcements regarding a release in other territories.
But as Forbes notes, the exclusive release to China is a strategic move from Nokia. By releasing the Nokia 6 to a market that is still growing, it would be easier to re-establish the company's branding. Furthermore, it cuts costs because of the single supply chain - which is great for HMD since it is still technically a start-up.
The Nokia 6 was definitely not designed to battle it out with the biggest contenders of 2017 - such as the iPhone 8 from Apple and the Galaxy S8 from Samsung. However, it will put up a fair fight in the mid-range category. If nothing, it is a great introduction to the other handhelds that Nokia might be releasing in the next months.
The release of the Nokia 6 has not been officially announced, but the company's executives have confirmed that it will go on sale "early in 2017." Furthermore, HMD CEO Arto Nummela told the publication that the company believes it is best to release soon after the launch. Nokia and HMD also confirmed that Chinese buyers will be able to obtain the same from retailer JD.com.
