Nokia 7.1 Review

When it comes to the ever-growing amount of Nokia smartphones on the market, the Nokia 7.1 is easily "the pretty one". While most Nokia Android devices have had a bit of a brutalist industrial aesthetic, the Nokia 7.1 is a bit more fashion forward.

The requisite modern trappings are all here; you've got the mirror-finish glass back and a big notched display that's very light on bezel. Even if you're not into notches, it's the best looking modern Nokia smartphone to date. Better yet, it will set you back less than half a grand.

A pretty face that's not just a pretty face

I don't mean to keep harping on about it, but the Nokia 7.1 is a nice looking phone. You wouldn't necessarily guess it only costs $499. Silver trimmings where glass meets aluminium help exude a premium vibe, and you still get the reassuring heft you'd expect from Nokia. The Nokia 7.1 is easily one of the nicer feeling "affordable" glass phones around. There's no sense of compromise when it's sitting in your hand.

The Nokia 7.1's display is equally pretty. It's colourful, vibrant, and has better sunlight visibility than some flagships. It measures in at 5.8-inches - which might sound massive - but the 7.1 is a surprisingly compact phone. It's roughly the same physical size as a Galaxy S9 or iPhone 8, so one-handed usage is rarely a strain.

Notably, the display is High Dynamic Range ready and supports the same HDR10 standard being used by the likes of Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video for more colourful video. The phone is also meant to be able to "upscale" standard dynamic range content to high dynamic range in real-time but to be honest, I haven't noticed any significant differences. Either way, it's still a nice display.

There's more to the Nokia 7.1 than just good looks. It's not a performance powerhouse, but it runs smoothly when it comes to day-to-day usage. Outside of the odd stutter, the Nokia 7.1 is never slow or sluggish. Battery life could be a little more resilient, but most people should still get a full day of usage.

Camera quality is usually the largest sacrifice you'll make when saving money on a smartphone, but the Nokia 7.1 performs better than expected. Other than being slow to fire, it manages to consistently take good photos if you've got enough light, and handles harsh backlights better than expected. Lowlight photography is a little more hit and miss, but you can still get a decent shot provided you've got steady hands, a still subject, and a bit of luck.

The only major issue worth pointing out is the limited storage: the Nokia 7.1 only has 32GB out of the box. While you can expand it with a microSD card, we're now seeing similarly priced (and cheaper) devices ship with a much more comfortable 64GB. 

Unfettered Android

Most smartphone manufacturers insist on putting their own mark on Android, but all modern Nokia handsets run Android as Google as intended. To be precise, they run Android One, and the Nokia 7.1 is no exception.

Android One is an unfettered version of Android that Google plays a hand in maintaining. All Android One smartphones will get security updates every month for a minimum of three years, and two major operating system updates. This will see the Nokia 7.1 through to Android Q, which is a very good thing. 

This is a major point of difference for Nokia phones in comparison to other affordable smartphones, which often get left behind when it comes to software updates and security. Security patches can be infrequent, and in some cases, devices may never see a single update.

Post-purchase software support should be a given when it comes to cheaper smartphones, but it's not. This alone makes it worth considering the Nokia 7.1. It also helps that Android One is leaner than your typical Android variant, which helps give the Nokia 7.1 it's zippiness.

Who is the Nokia 7.1 for?

If you want to save money on your smartphone but don't want to compromise on looks, the Nokia 7.1 is made for you. It pairs a premium design with good performance at an affordable price. You might only be paying $499, but nothing about the Nokia 7.1 feels cheap.

Nokia 7.1 camera samples

What else can I buy?

Nokia 6.1

The Nokia 7.1 is, for all intents and purposes, a prettier version of the Nokia 6.1. The core hardware is identical, camera quality is similar, but the Nokia 6.1 has more of a brutalist vibe. Opting for the Nokia 6.1, however, will save you at least $100, so it comes down to a question of how much you value good looks.  

Moto G6 Plus

The Motorola Moto G6 Plus also retails for $499, and is a great alternative to the Nokia 7.1. While the Nokia 7.1 may look a little more modern, the Moto G6 Plus has a larger screen, double the storage capacity, and a longer battery life. You do miss out on Android One however, so software updates are a little more up in the air. 

Huawei Nova 3e

The Nova 3e typically retails for under $399 and has a similar look and feel to the Nokia 7.1. Despite the lower price, it has double the storage capacity. On the other hand, camera quality isn't quite as good, and Huawei's take on Android is anything but unfettered.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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