The value flagship category is led by OnePlus smartphones in India. Nokia 8.1, also known as Nokia Phoenix, is the brand’s first device with Android 9 Pie out of the box
HMD Global has announced the Nokia 8.1 smartphone as the newest addition to its value flagship range. The USPs of the the smartphone, as per the company, include its imaging achieved through ZEISS Optics and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Nokia 8.1 also features Nokia’s Proprietary PureDisplay screen technology with HDR 10 support along.
Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global, said, “We’ve seen great success in the value flagship category with each of our smartphones in this class consistently introducing new premium experiences to our fans. With the Nokia 8.1, we are further pushing the boundaries in this segment.”
The company even organised a meet for the Nokia Forum winners during the Nokia 8.1 launch event in Dubai. Sarvikas met the Nokia forum winners from India, Nepal, Finland, France and Mena region during the event.
He tweeted, “Hanging out with the Nokia phone forum winners, who joined us at the global Nokia 8.1 launch in here Dubai all the way from Finland, France, Nepal, India and MENA region. Thank you for coming over, was a privilege to meet you all!”
Nokia 8.1 price
Nokia 8.1 smartphone, also known as Nokia Phoenix, will be available in three colour combinations, Blue/Silver, Steel/Copper and Iron/Steel, starting mid-December 2018. The company says that the smartphone will retail for an average global retail price of € 399 (approx Rs 32,500), exclusive of taxes and subsidies.
This price range makes the Nokia 8.1 smartphone a rival of the OnePlus series, Huawei smartphones, Vivo, Oppo and many Samsung smartphone models.
Sarvikas said, “Our fans are at the heart of every design and engineering decision. We want to give them premium experiences – we hope they agree that the Nokia 8.1 embodies engineering excellence at great value.”
Nokia 8.1 features
Running the latest Android software, Android 9 Pie, the Nokia 8.1, as per the company, delivers the best Android experience with the latest innovations right out of the box. It comes installed with a 12 MP main camera with ZEISS Optics that has an 1/2.55” sensitive sensor and large 1.4 micron pixels. HMD has equipped a 20MP adaptive camera at the front.
Sarvikas mentioned, “We offer accelerated performance with a first-class processor architecture, dual cameras with an industry-leading sensor, OIS and ZEISS Optics for great low light imaging, and our new PureDisplay HDR screen technology.”
The Nokia 8.1 is the second Nokia smartphone to come with PureDisplay screen technology. Nokia claims that ‘visuals are taken to another level with HDR 10 delivering higher contrast, great clarity, and over a billion individual colours to ensure images remain accurate whether you’re in a dark room or bright sunlight’.
The Nokia 8.1, as per the company, can last up to two days on a single charge. Featured Qualcomm aptX audio support is claimed to deliver high quality sound wirelessly over Bluetooth.
The Nokia 8.1 is the first Nokia smartphone to launch with Android 9 Pie out of the box. It includes several AI features. Some of which include adaptive battery feature and bothie pictures.
Jon Gold, director of Android One Partnerships, Google, said, “As an important partner for Google, HMD Global has enabled a diverse portfolio of Android One devices with a software experience that is fresh and secure. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with HMD Global on the new Nokia 8.1, the brand’s first device with Android 9 Pie out of the box. Android 9 improves interactions on the Nokia 8.1 with intelligent and simple experiences, along with new Digital well-being features.”
