With companies like Samsung , Sony etc which are using android for their high end smartphones , even Nokia decided to jump into the Android scene with the launch of their new device the Nokia X ( also known as Nokia Normandy ) . Nokia X is the first android device in the market by Nokia , though its not one from their high end league but just an entry level phone with dual sim capabilities and its very own app store. Specification : Dimensions 115.5 x 63 x 10.4 mm, 73.2 cc (4.55 x 2.48 x 0.41 in) Display IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors ( 480 x 800 pixels, 4.0 inches with ~233ppi pixel density , supports multitouch ) Processor Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A5 GPU Adreno 203 RAM 512mb OS Android OS, v4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) Battery Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery (BN-01) Camera 3.15 MP, 2048 x 1536 pixels ( no flash , no secondary camera ) Memory 4gb internal , supports micro-SD, up to 32 GB Network Dual sim ( supports 2g and 3g with micro sim ) THE PACKAGE THE PHONE The build quality of the phone is quite sturdy and gives you a good feel when held. With rounded up curves and a size of the screen being 4 inches its quite easy to use without having the need to over stretch your fingers to reach the extreme ends of the screen. It inspires its design from the Asha series of Nokia phones , the only difference except the size is the feather touch back button on the X whereas the asha serious has a physical back button. Volume rockers and power/lock button are placed on the right hand side of the device and give you a good feel when pressed. The front bottom part of the phone just has a feather touch back button , which is quite different from the native android devices which consists of a menu , back and home buttons. The back of the phone consists of a plastic panel which can be changed to any color of choice if you get bored with the original color of the phone which you bought it in. The top has a 3.15mp camera with no flash and just below you can find the Nokia branding . The speaker resdies at bottom right corner and is quite loud. The usb/charging port is found at the bottom and a 3.5mm audio jack at the top. The inside of the phone has 2 micro sim slots at the left with a micro-SD slot in between the sim slots , just next to it is the battery compartment and the sim cards are not hot swappable , i.e you need to pull the battery out of the device in-case you need to insert/remove any of the sim cards. UI/PERFORMANCE The android running on Nokia X has its very own unique UI , completely different from the native android devices but though it kind of seems like takes inspirations from the windows phone os. There are tiles and no menu drawer. All the apps you installed comes right before you once you unlock the screen. If you swipe left or right from the home screen it takes you to Nokia's very own feature known as the "Fastlane" which has all of your recent activities as well as events and other scheduling you have done for that particular day. It has the notification bar , with toggle buttons for WiFi , Bluetooth , setting etc as found in any android device when swiped down from the top of the screen. The settings menu is quite similar to that of an Asha device and also one familiar using android can easily make out which settings will be found where. When the about section of the phone is selected , it doesn't shows the OS as android 4.2 but as Nokia X software platform with the version no. The touch response is pretty good and the back button when pressed gives a fine vibrating effect. Coming to the performance part , here are some benchmark results from an app known as AnTuTu Benchmark. THE CAMERA The camera on the Nokia X is a fixed focus 3.15mp which is pretty basic and has no special modes like HDR etc. The UI is pretty basic with the capture button in the middle , zoom slider at the right hand side and options for white balance and other settings at the top. The mode can be changed from photo to video or panorama by clicking on the camera icon found at the lower left side once the camera app is running.The maximum resolution for a photo is 2048 x 1536 with a 4:3 aspect ratio and the maximum video resolution is 854 x 480. Though the videos taken are pretty decent as its a fixed focus camera. A better video resolution shall have provided much better videos. PROS/CONS Almost any review you view about the Nokia X , you will end up with these similar pros/cons afaik. Pros - Unique UI Light on pocket Nokia lovers who didnt like Windows Phone OS now have an alternative Great performance for the price Cons - Poor camera Speaker is on the back , hence the volume gets lowered if its kept on a flat surface with face up. Low storage Average Battery life Nokia X app store doesn't contains all the apps from Google Play store.
I like the fact that its google free and devoid from unwanted apps. This baseline does have the potential to be minimalistic ,business oriented devices. With proper Facebook integration they can appeal to youngsters as well. Face it Google + is not happening. And all the extra bloatware is what makes me keep my Android phone aside.
Nokia + Andriod would have been unstoppable right from the beginning. It is a shame that they are doing this so late.
Late, but I like the approach, the simplistic Windows Phone with the pletheora of Android apps. I have been playing on a friend's Nokia XL, and it does seem good. Price is killer too!
