Nokia 21 Comprehensive Review & Insights

Overview of the Nokia 2.1

The Nokia 2.1, introduced in May 2018 and made available to the market in August the same year, is a budget-oriented smartphone aimed at providing essential features with a focus on battery life and build quality. This device continues Nokia's tradition of durable and reliable handsets, packaged in an appealingly simple design.

Design and Build Quality

The Nokia 2.1 features a solid build composed of a glass front with Gorilla Glass 3 for added durability, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame. This combination gives the phone a robust feel, while keeping it light at 174 grams. Its dimensions are 153.6 x 77.6 x 9.7 mm, making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. The dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) setup enables users to manage two phone numbers simultaneously, a valuable feature for both professional and personal use.

Display

Equipped with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD screen, the Nokia 2.1 offers a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. Though not Full HD, this resolution is adequate for basic usage, providing decent picture clarity with a pixel density of around 267 ppi. The screen occupies approximately 70% of the front body, delivering balanced viewing experiences with reasonable color accuracy and brightness levels.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Nokia 2.1 runs on a Snapdragon 425 chipset paired with a quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and an Adreno 308 GPU. These components are designed to provide efficient performance for everyday tasks and basic multitasking. The device comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, expandable via a dedicated microSDXC card slot. While not powerful compared to modern standards, this setup is optimized by the Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition), upgradeable to Android 10 under the Android One program, ensuring a smoother and more secure platform with regular updates.

Camera Capabilities

The Nokia 2.1 is equipped with an 8MP rear camera featuring autofocus and an LED flash, allowing for basic photography needs. It supports video recording at 720p@30fps, sufficient for capturing casual moments. On the front, a 5MP selfie camera is available, recording videos at 1080p@30fps, suitable for video calls and modest selfies.

Sound and Audio

A notable feature of the Nokia 2.1 is its stereo speakers, which deliver an enhanced audio experience unique among some devices in this price range. This, combined with a 3.5mm audio jack, ensures a satisfying media and calling experience, allowing users to connect to headphones and enjoy FM radio.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Nokia 2.1 is its powerful non-removable Li-Ion 4000 mAh battery, which promises extended usage times. The device supports up to 19 hours of talk time on a 3G network and up to 128 hours of music playback. Charging is facilitated via a 10W wired setup, meaning the device can be topped up relatively quickly despite its large battery capacity. The battery life is undoubtedly a strong selling point for those prioritizing longevity over performance.

Connectivity and Network

The Nokia 2.1 offers standard connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP and LE, GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for geolocation, and an FM radio. However, it lacks NFC support. For network connectivity, it supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, with a range of LTE bands to accommodate users worldwide. The device offers microUSB 2.0 with OTG support, enhancing external device connectivity.

Additional Features

The Nokia 2.1 is equipped with an accelerometer and proximity sensors, which aid functionality such as auto-rotation and controlling display activity during calls. The device is available in a variety of colors, including Blue/Copper, Blue/Silver, and Grey/Silver, allowing users some customization in their choice.

Price and Market Positioning

Priced at approximately 100 EUR, the Nokia 2.1 is positioned as an affordable entry-level smartphone option. It appeals to users seeking a reliable phone with long battery life and basic functionalities without the complexities or price tag of higher-end models. This price point, combined with Nokia's reputation for durability, makes it an attractive choice in emerging markets and for consumers looking for a secondary device.

Conclusion

The Nokia 2.1 stands out in its category with its long-lasting battery, solid build quality, and Android One’s promising software support. While it may not compete with modern high-end smartphones in terms of performance and feature-richness, it provides a reliable and simple experience for users who require basic smartphone capabilities. Its affordability, combined with the assurance of regular software updates, makes it a compelling option for those entering the smartphone world or seeking a dependable backup device.