Nokia phones have been truly phenomenal. It’s safe to assume that we have used at least one Nokia phone in our journey. It could be one of its T9 keyboard phones, a QWERTY phone, a Windows Phone, or an Android. The company had closed its operations after 2014, but the light was soon sparked after Human Mobile Devices (HMD) jumped in and once again, we saw the Nokia phones boot up. Let’s pay homage to one of the most legendary brands ever with a look at some of the best Nokia phones ever.
FYI: HMD has confirmed that Nokia and HMD, both the brands will co-exist, confirmed The Hindu report.
Brief History: Nokia began in 1865 as a Finnish pulp mill, founded by mining engineer Fredrik Idestam. It later expanded into rubber, cable, and electronics. While dominating the mobile industry, Nokia faced challenges in the smartphone era. In 2014, Microsoft acquired Nokia’s Devices and Services division, ending its mobile market presence. Nokia later returned through licensing with HMD Global, focusing on smartphones and feature phones.
Best Nokia Phones Ever
Nokia Lumia 1020
The Lumia 1020, famous for its 41-megapixel camera, was a pioneer in mobile photography. It may be a bit dated now, but if snapping detailed photos was your jam, this phone was a solid choice. On top of its best-of-class camera lens, the installed software made it the right choice. Without a doubt, it was the best Nokia phone ever. I’d change my mind if Windows makes a comeback to phones.
- Display: 4.5-inch AMOLED, 768 x 1280 pixels
- Camera: 41 MP rear camera with Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash
- Processor: Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 32 GB (non-expandable)
- OS: Windows Phone 8, upgradable to Windows 10
- Battery: 2000 mAh
Nokia Lumia 630
The Nokia Lumia 630 came more as a budget smartphone with an efficient Windows OS. It offered a decent performance for its time. The vibrant display and compact design were its highlights, making it a reliable option for the budget-conscious.
- Display: 4.5-inch IPS LCD, 480 x 854 pixels
- Camera: 5 MP rear camera
- Processor: Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7
- RAM: 512 MB
- Storage: 8 GB, expandable up to 128 GB via microSD
- OS: Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Windows 10
- Battery: 1830 mAh
Nokia 3310 (2017)
Ah, the legendary Nokia 3310! You know those memes that say even Thor’s hammer can’t break this phone? They are true. It has always been indestructible, with a battery that seemed to last forever. This iconic phone is more of a nostalgia trip than a technological marvel, but it sure holds a special place in the hearts of many. It was originally released in Sept 2000.
- Display: 2.4-inch TFT, 240 x 320 pixels
- Camera: 2 MP rear camera
- Processor: Nokïa Series 30+
- Storage: 16 MB, expandable up to 32 GB via microSD
- Battery: Removable 1200 mAh
Nokia 105 Classic
The Nokia 105 Classic was a basic, no-frills phone. It excelled at what it was designed for making calls and lasting for days on a single charge. Simple and reliable, a classic indeed.
- Display: 1.4-inch TFT, 128 x 128 pixels
- Camera: No camera
- Processor: Nokia Series 30+
- Storage: 4 MB, non-expandable
- Battery: Removable 800 mAh
Nokia C2-01
The C2-01 was a mid-range feature phone, known for its sturdy build and straightforward functionality. It wasn’t trying to be flashy, but it got the job done for those who wanted a reliable device without breaking the bank.
- Display: 2.0-inch TFT, 240 x 320 pixels
- Camera: 3.15 MP rear camera
- Processor: 1.8 GHz Krait
- RAM: 64 MB
- Storage: 128 MB, expandable up to 16 GB via microSD
- Battery: Removable 1020 mAh
Nokia N97
The N97 was part of Nokia’s attempt at a high-end smartphone. While it had a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a decent camera, its clunky design and outdated software limited its appeal in the fast-evolving smartphone landscape.
- Display: 3.5-inch TFT, 360 x 640 pixels
- Camera: 5 MP rear camera with Carl Zeiss optics, Dual-LED flash
- Processor: Single-core 434 MHz ARM 11
- RAM: 128 MB
- Storage: 32 GB, expandable up to 16 GB via microSD
- OS: Symbian OS v9.4, Series 60 rel. 5
- Battery: Removable 1500 mAh
Nokia Asha 501
The Nokia Asha 501 was a budget-friendly smartphone targeting the entry-level market. Its compact size and touch interface made it user-friendly for those transitioning from feature phones to smartphones.
- Display: 3.0-inch TFT, 240 x 320 pixels
- Camera: 3.15 MP rear camera
- Processor: 800 MHz
- RAM: 128 MB
- Storage: 4 GB, non-expandable
- OS: Nokia Asha software platform 1.0, upgradable to 1.4
- Battery: Removable 1210 mAh
Nokia 3500c
A basic candy-bar phone, the Nokia 3500c was a no-nonsense device for calling and texting. Its simplicity and durability made it a reliable choice for those who preferred the basics. I’ve some nice memories with this particular phone. This was once my daily driver for everything, from social media to browsing the internet. I’d rather say it opened the gates of the internet for me as I have a vivid memory of googling my favorite cartoon character’s images. The same phone I’ve used to chat with friends and family on Facebook.
- Display: 2.0-inch TFT, 128 x 160 pixels
- Camera: 2 MP rear camera
- Processor: Not specified
- RAM: 8 MB
- Storage: 32 MB, expandable up to 2 GB via microSD
- Battery: Removable 820 mAh
Nokia 6.1 Plus
Moving to the more recent past, the Nokia 6.1 Plus was a mid-range smartphone offering a solid build, a decent camera, and a near-stock Android experience. It aimed to deliver value for money and was generally well-received in its time. Most importantly, the Nokia 6.1 Plus remains a design marvel.
- Display: 5.8-inch IPS LCD, 1080 x 2280 pixels
- Camera: Dual – 16 MP (f/2.0) + 5 MP (f/2.4) rear cameras, 16 MP (f/2.0) front camera
- Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 636
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 64 GB, expandable up to 400 GB via microSD
- OS: Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10
- Battery: Non-removable 3060 mAh
Nokia 5.1
Another member of Nokia’s mid-range lineup, the Nokia 5.1 focused on providing a balance between performance and affordability. Its clean design, decent camera, and timely software updates made it a commendable choice in its category.
- Display: 5.5-inch IPS LCD, 1080 x 2160 pixels
- Camera: 16 MP (f/2.0) rear camera, 8 MP (f/2.0) front camera
- Processor: Octa-core MediaTek Helio P18
- RAM: 2/3 GB
- Storage: 16/32 GB, expandable up to 256 GB via microSD
- OS: Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10
- Battery: Non-removable 2970 mAh
Special Mention: Nokia 6610 (2002)
One phrase to define the Nokia 6610 is “The Ultimate Classic!” It was released in 2002. That’s a blast from the past It was released over 22 years ago! This iconic phone was a sturdy workhorse with its compact design and classic monochrome display. The T9 texting on those physical buttons was oddly satisfying, and Snake II was the ultimate time-killer. While it may not compete with today’s smartphones regarding features, it holds a special place in the hearts of those who owned one. A true nostalgic gem!
Farewell, Nokia, you’ve truly been a gem in the world of phones as we wrap up our tribute to the best Nokia phones ever, a brand that holds a special place in our hearts. On that note, we extend our best wishes to HMD’s upcoming lineup.
