The Nokia 7 Plus is a versatile smartphone for an acceptable price. If half the editors are considering buying the Nokia 7 Plus (even before the review model of the smartphone has arrived), then you know that it is an interesting device. Now that the review model is available, the question can be answered: is Nokia's smartphone worth buying?
Nokia 7 Plus
Price € 399,-Colors black and white
OS Android 8.1 (Oreo)
Screen 6 inches (2160x1080)
Processor 2.2GHz octa-core (Snapdragon 660)
RAM 4GB
Storage 64 GB (expandable with memory card)
Battery 3,800 mAh
Camera 12 and 13 megapixel dualcam (rear), 16 megapixel (front)
Connectivity 4G (LTE), Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, GPS
Format 15.8 x 7.6 x 0.8 cm
Weight 183 grams
Other fingerprint scanner, usb-c, headphone port
Website www.nokia.com 9 Score 90
- Pros
- Design
- Value for money
- Battery life
- Android One
- Negatives
- Screen brightness
- Sometimes slow to respond
The Nokia 7 Plus reminds me of the Nexus smartphones that Google released until 2015, thanks to its excellent value for money and long Android support with updates. Unfortunately, the Nexus line has been replaced by Google with Pixel phones, which are not only sold in the Netherlands, but are also iPhone-like expensive. Nokia fills the Nexus void again with the Nokia 7 Plus, which has the same features. The device reminds me a lot of the Nexus 5 from 2013.
Android One
The Nokia 7 Plus runs on the most recent Android version (8.1 Oreo). Now that's not so special. Nokia's strategy to keep Android devices secure and up-to-date is reflected in the Nokia 7 Plus's participation in Android One. No intrusive skin or deceptive bloatware like antivirus apps, just a clean version kept up-to-date by Google itself. In short, the best and most secure Android you can get. For less than half the price of the Pixel 2 smartphones: 400 euros, just like the Nexus smartphones of yesteryear.
The Nokia 7 Plus is waiting for at least two years of Android updates. That is in any case more than the eighteen months that other Android smartphones can expect, but still a lot shorter than iPhones.
A clean Android with no bloatware also means you have Google's best battery optimization. And that is also noticeable. The battery of the Nokia 7 Plus easily lasts two days.
Big
The Nokia 7 Plus is, as the 'plus' already reveals, quite large because of its 6-inch screen diagonal (converted 15.2 centimeters). The screen ratio is 1 by 2 and the edges around the screen have been kept limited. The fingerprint scanner is also placed on the back to use the entire front for the screen. If you can live with the hefty format, then you get a lot in return in terms of screen size. The display of the full-HD screen is acceptable, colors are very nice. Only the screen is not bright enough, which is difficult when you use the device outside in the sun.
The housing is striking. Nokia has not made a device that is completely made of glass, which is a trend with other manufacturers. A trend that causes dirty fingers on the device and smartphones that easily slide off the couch. The 7 Plus is made of metal, with a copper-colored border around the screen and a coating on the back. The end result is particularly beautiful. The only downside is that the housing is not waterproof.
Camera
Although the Nokia 7 Plus with its price tag of 400 euros is not the most expensive smartphone, the device is equipped with a double camera. This dual camera ensures that you can zoom in optically and take (portrait) photos with a depth of field effect, just like most dual cameras that are in more expensive smartphones.
The photos that the 7 Plus produces are remarkably good. A lot of detail, beautiful colors and a lot of depth recognition. The Nokia is not much inferior to top devices such as the Galaxy S9+ and iPhone X. However, when the circumstances become more difficult, you will notice that the quality of the photos becomes a lot less attractive with motion blur, dull colors and noise. Also, the quality of the zoom lens is a lot less than the main camera on the back. Despite that, in this price category, this is quite a great camera.
In use
The specifications are beyond what you can expect. The Snapdragon 660 processor and four gigabytes of RAM are more than enough to run Android, especially Android One (without fuss). On paper then. In use, unfortunately, I often noticed that the device does not always respond quickly, this is most common when the device is brought out of sleep mode. Hopefully this will be rectified with the next update(s).
Furthermore, the Nokia has 64GB storage memory and a memory card slot. That's nice for all your apps, music, photos and videos. With the addition of a modern USB-C charging port (which is sometimes missing on cheaper devices) and a headphone port, the 7 Plus can rightly be called a very complete device.
You do not have to pay a thousand euros for a top smartphone.Conclusion
If I had to buy a smartphone today, it would be the Nokia 7 Plus without hesitation. The smartphone is unparalleled and complete, especially in terms of price-quality ratio: a beautiful housing, large screen, wonderful battery life, excellent camera, fine specifications and the best (and safest) that Android has to offer. Compared to the most expensive phones, there are some downsides, such as the screen brightness that is too low, the photos are a bit less when you zoom or have low light available and the device sometimes responds a bit slowly after unlocking. Minuses that are completely brushed away by the fact that the Nokia 7 Plus costs less than half of a top device from Apple, Samsung or Huawei. You don't have to pay a thousand euros for a top smartphone.
