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Verdict
In many ways, the Nokia 1 isn’t a smartphone which can be compared against many others in the market at the moment. Aiming for a different audience than the norm, it eschews many specs and features that are now considered standard.
Adopting a design and specifications sheet from 2012 may not seem to have been the smartest choice on the part of HMD Global, however the price reached as a result is undeniably tempting.
This does mean several sacrifices which may be too much for many to bear, however. The camera is slow to focus and produces grainy results. The rear-facing speaker is tinny and quiet. The screen is dim, low resolution and lacks saturation.
Even the simplest of tasks takes a great deal of time to complete, due to the paltry chipset used. With limited RAM as well, modern applications struggle to run. Android Go is nice in principle, however many Go versions of existing apps are so cut down as to be almost useless in some cases.
Battery life however, is excellent - in no small part due to the fact that this device will primarily not be used for 'normal' smartphone activities.
If treating the Nokia 1 as a smartphone, it falls short in almost every area. By comparing it to feature phones however, the picture changes. As a backup for a festival, as something to hand to the kids, it takes on a different life entirely - requiring almost none of the sacrifices that devices of that type usually entail.
For the launch price of $85 / £79.99 / AU$149, it is a somewhat difficult sell, but if you can find it heavily discounted (as it's often now possible to do) it is a different story altogether.
Who's this for?
The Nokia 1 is ideal for those looking for a backup device, something to take to a festival, or as a first smartphone for younger children. The small screen means it may be less appealing for those with less than perfect eyesight.
Should you buy it?
If you can find the Nokia 1 for under $60/£50/AU$100, as a value proposition it is undeniable. For the full asking price, there are better options available - both new and refurbished.
First reviewed: February 2019Not convinced by this budget Nokia? Consider these alternatives...
Nokia 3
The Nokia 3 is likely the best argument against the Nokia 1. For not a whole lot more you get a more modern design, a better screen, a bigger battery, better cameras and the full Android experience.
- Read our full Nokia 3 review
Moto E5
The Moto E5, also released in 2018, is a strong competitor for both the Nokia 1 and the Nokia 3. Thanks to a large 4,000mAh battery it enjoys great stamina, while also sporting a more modern design. Going for under $100/£100 in some instances, this is a more modern phone than the Nokia 1 in every way.
- Read our full Moto E5 review
Nokia 2
The most similarly priced device to the Nokia 1, the Nokia 2 is an interesting counterpart. It has a larger screen, a huge battery, a higher resolution and a more modern look, however that isn't all.
It has an anemic and dated Snapdragon 212 chipset and a paltry 1GB RAM, making it similar in the performance stakes to the Nokia 1.
- Read our full Nokia 2 review
First reviewed: February 2019
