Nokia's finally ready to return to the smartphone race in the U.S.
The phone brand, once an independent global powerhouse, then sold to off to Microsoft, then revived under HMD Global in 2016, has announced it'll sell two new Android phones on Verizon and Cricket Wireless, respectively.
While the new Nokias don't stack up (not even close in terms of performance) to an iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or Galaxy S9, or OnePlus 6T, the phones are significant in that they're the first of what could become a bedrock of devices to restore the mobile brand's glory.
SEE ALSO:Nokia 9 and its five rear cameras appear in new video leakExamining the phones' specs (via Engadget), it's clear the new Nokias coming to Verizon and Cricket are disappointingly budget devices.
The Nokia 3.1 Plus for Cricket Wireless has a large 5.99-inch display, dual rear cameras with 13 and 5-megapixels per lens, 8-megapixel selfie camera, and 3,500 mAh battery. These are fine features, but then you look at the brains: a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage, and you probably won't care anymore.
Ditto for the Nokia 2 V headed to Verizon. The phone's got a 5.5-inch HD screen and a huge 4,000 mAh battery, but the ancient and much slower Snapdragon 425 chip and paltry 8GB of RAM are major turnoffs.
"Slow and steady wins the race in the mobile world."
But then again, the budget specs shouldn't surprise anyone since they also come with budget pricing. The Nokia 3.1 Plus only costs $160. Pricing for the Nokia 2 V is still to be determined.
These phones won't dramatically shift the tide in favor of Nokia's return to the U.S. mobile market -- not right now -- but they do lay the foundation for HMD Global's commitment later. As with any phone maker, HMD Global needs to start somewhere before it can earn customer trust and build a brand. Just look at how long it took OnePlus to become a beloved phone maker and brand -- slow and steady wins the race in the mobile world.
Once HMD Global has rebuilt Nokia's reputation in the U.S., it could then start releasing its flagship phones that docompete directly with the best phones. The company's certainly capable of doing so. Phones like the Nokia 8 Sirocco are beautiful and powerful. They just aren't sold in the U.S. But maybe one day!
Mobile World Congress kicks off at the end of February and more than any previous year, it's gonna be packed full of new phone announcements and mobile nostalgia. Bet on Nokia trying to rekindle its old flames.
TopicsAndroidVerizon
(责任编辑：探索)
Hiddleswift finally followed each other on Instagram after 3 excruciating days
Stephen King has come up with a new campaign slogan for Trump
Actor behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch is retiring and Twitter is emotional
The unannounced Pixel 3 XL is already for sale in one storeJ.K. Rowling makes 'Harry Potter' joke about Olympics eventOne of the most controversial power struggles in media comes to a close
One of the world's biggest media companies has been embroiled in a complex personal and professional
...[详细]'13 Reasons Why' star named in lawsuit involving Kurt Cobain and a murder conspiracy
Actor Ross Butler has played roles in 13 Reasons Whyand Riverdale, some of the most twist-ridden sho
...[详细]'American Horror Story: Apocalypse' and Harry Potter have a lot in common
Murder House, Coven,Hotel, Apocalypse... and now, American Horror Story: Hogwarts?Episode 4 of AHS:
...[详细]Descendant of Robert E. Lee rebukes Trump for praise of ancestor
Sometimes words deliver a punch to the gut. Not the kind of impact that knocks you down, but the kin
...[详细]U.S. government issues warning on McDonald's recalled wearable devices
Last week's McDonald's debacle, which saw the fast food giant forced to recall its first wearable tr
...[详细]'American Horror Story: Apocalypse' and Harry Potter have a lot in common
Murder House, Coven,Hotel, Apocalypse... and now, American Horror Story: Hogwarts?Episode 4 of AHS:
...[详细]Red Teslas costs more now, but people will still pay for it
Tesla's paint colors were whittled down in the past few days to help ramp up production and now the
...[详细]Disaster relief is about more than physical. It's emotional too.
Disaster relief is most commonly thought of as providing food, water, and shelter to those affected
...[详细]WhatsApp announces plans to share user data with Facebook
Big changes are coming to WhatsApp. 。On Thursday, WhatsApp announced in a blog post it will begin sha
...[详细]Meghan Markle and Prince Harry find inner peace in this 'anti
It's been an understandably busy few days for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are in the midst o
...[详细]What brands need to know about virtual reality
Apple's iPhone XS Max is selling a lot better than XS, report claims
