HMD Global was at the MWC 2018 event earlier this year and unlike last year, there was no place for the Nokia 3.1 this time around. The Finnish company instead refreshed the Nokia 6 and debuted the Nokia 7 Plus, Nokia 8 Sirocco and Nokia 1, the first of its kind. But there was always room for the successor to the highly successful Nokia 3, which materialized at the end of May 2018.
The Nokia 3.1 is a considerable upgrade over the OG version and this is evident right from the word go. You are getting a refreshed design that is highlighted by the 18:9 display screen and a new processor to accompany the fresh breath of the Android One-based Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.
Nokia 3.1 specs
| Category | Specs |
| Display | 5.2-inch 18:9 HD+ (1440×720) Oleophobic coating Gorilla Glass |
| Processor | Octa-core MediaTek MT6750N |
| RAM | 2GB/3GB |
| Storage | 16GB/32GB |
| MicroSD slot | Yes, up to 256GB |
| Rear camera | 13MP |
| Front camera | 8MP |
| Software | Android 8.0 Oreo |
| Battery | 2990mAh non-removable |
| Charging | MicroUSB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n Bluetooth 4.2, NFC OTG, 3.5mm jack |
| Security | Passcode |
| Dimensions & Weight | 146.25 x 68.65 x 8.7 mm, 138.3g |
| Color | Blue/Copper, Black/Chrome, White/Iron |
According to HMD Global, the OG Nokia 3 was the most successful handset from its initial set of Android phones and in the Nokia 3.1, the company feels that it has a device that is a worthy successor to the 2017 edition. On paper, it does look so, where it boasts the trendy 18:9 design on a 5.2-inch HD+ panel, a superior MT6750 octa-core processor that HMD says delivers 50% more power compared to the MT6737 quad-core chipset used in the Nokia 3.
While you are still getting a 2GB RAM variant mated with 16GB of expandable storage, the Nokia 3.1 gets a superior 3GB RAM and 32GB storage option that still supports a microSD card. Also, the main camera has been bumped to 13MP, but the front shooter sticks to an 8MP lens. Due to the small change in display size, you also get a slightly bigger 2990mAh battery unit, but the old microUSB port is still at play alongside the much-loved 3.5mm audio jack.
Much like the 2017 edition, the Nokia 3.1 is housed in a body that features a polycarbonate rear panel and an aluminum frame joining it to the front glass panel, which is protected by an unnamed version of Corning Gorilla Glass technology.
Nokia 3.1 price and availability
Nokia 3.1, as pointed out earlier, was launched at the end of May, about three months after the expected MWC 2018 launch date. HMD said that the phone will start selling in June 2018 and even though we don’t have a clear roadmap of the launch markets, we do know the European and American prices for the two variants.
Where the 2/16GB variant will set you back €139, the high-end variant has a price tag of €169. In the U.S., the phone can be purchased on Amazon or B&H Photo at $159 for the entry-level variant. In India, the Nokia 3.1 starts selling on July 21 priced at INR 10,499 for the base model. There are also plenty of offers attached to the phone’s purchase, but they are not constant for every buyer.
What are your thoughts on the Nokia 3.1? Let us know in your comments below.
