Are Nokia smartphones good?
Nokia smartphones have an average overall score of 5.9, ranking #33 among all smartphone brands, and a user rating of 8.1, placing them at #19 based on user reviews.
Nokia smartphones gave you solid build quality, clean Android software, and frequent security updates. Most models ran on Android One, which meant a simple interface without extra apps and a steady update schedule. The brand focused on reliability and durability, with devices that often featured sturdy designs and long-lasting batteries. While you could find models across different price ranges, Nokia mainly targeted budget and mid-range buyers who wanted a straightforward phone for daily use.
However, Nokia smartphones are no longer produced. HMD Global, which manufactured them since 2016, stopped releasing new Nokia-branded smartphones in 2023 and shifted to its own HMD brand, with the Nokia licensing deal set to end in March 2026. Existing Nokia models remain available, but they come from older production runs. While they can still be a good choice for basic use, they fall behind modern competitors in performance, camera quality, and advanced features.
(Note: A total of 46 brands were evaluated in the comparison in the first paragraph. Only those with at least 3 smartphones in our database that were released after 2022 were included.)
The following chart ranks smartphone brands by their overall scores.
[horizontal-chart-11179455835776328272117992587934720489722943536617]What are the main advantages of Nokia smartphones?
The main advantages of Nokia smartphones are as follows:
- Build quality: Nokia smartphones use durable materials such as aluminum frames or toughened polycarbonate shells, and many models have Gorilla Glass protection (up to Victus 2 on flagship devices), which improves resistance to drops and scratches.
- Battery life: Many Nokia models have 4,500–5,000 mAh batteries that last up to two days of regular use, and some include AI-based power management that optimizes consumption based on usage patterns.
- Software updates: Nokia commits to up to 3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4–5 years of monthly security patches, which is above the Android market average and improves long-term usability.
- Clean Android experience: Most Nokia models run Android One or stock Android with no heavy skins, which results in smoother performance and faster update rollout.
- Repairability: Nokia smartphones are often designed for easy repairs, with spare parts like batteries and screens available for self-repair kits in partnership with iFixit, which reduces maintenance costs.
- Competitive pricing: Many models cost under £260, yet still feature large Full HD+ displays, 5G connectivity, and multi-lens camera systems with Zeiss optics on certain devices.
What are the main disadvantages of Nokia smartphones?
Nokia smartphones have the following disadvantages:
- No longer in production: Nokia smartphones have ceased production, so only existing stock or second-hand units are available.
- Performance limitations: Mid-range chipsets such as Snapdragon 4xx or 6xx series can lag behind competitors in gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Camera performance: While some models include Zeiss-branded lenses, image processing often struggles in low light compared to rivals like Samsung or Google Pixel.
- Limited flagship presence: Nokia’s high-end lineup is small and infrequently updated, so options above £430 are rare.
- Display quality: Many affordable Nokia models use LCD panels instead of AMOLED, which reduces contrast and color vibrancy.
- Charging speed: Even on newer models, fast charging is usually limited to 18–33 W, which is slower than many competitors in the same price range.
