The start of the week saw Nokia announce new phones, including the Nokia 6310 that goes in line with HMD’s obsession with Nokias of the past, and a bunch of wireless earbuds.
Of the announcement, the Nokia XR20 is the most interesting because Nokia has equipped it with a ton of lifestyle features that should surely see it last for next half a decade or even more.
The features are under the ‘life-proof’ moniker, which Nokia hopes will be appealing to people who want a robust device that will also be supported with software updates.
To begin with, the XR20 is MIL-STD810H-certified, meaning it can survive a 1.8-metre drop. It is also IP68-certified, has the lastest Gorilla Glass Victus at the front, effectively making it a tank that should do just fine without a case. Heck, the device is hefty too at slightly under 250 grams.
It is powered by the 5G-capable Snapdragon 480, which is not the best of chipsets in the mid-range segment.
We are also used to phones packing more than three main snappers, but the XR20 keeps thing modest with a dual setup.
Other key points include extended software updates; users will receive up to four years of security updates, and three years of major OS upgrades. This means that the XR20 will be eligible for Android 15, or whatever Google will call the iteration then.
Pricing is not known, but we expect it to cost over KES 50,000. Here are the rest of its specifications:
| Specs | Nokia XR20 |
|---|---|
| 5G | Yes |
| Weight | 248g |
| Protection | IP68 dust/water resistant Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8 m MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Screen | IPS LCD 6.67 inches 1080 x 2400 pixels GG Victus |
| Software | Android 11 |
| Chips | Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) Adreno 619 |
| Memory | 6/128 GB MicroSD slot available |
| Cameras | Back: 48 MP Main 13 MP ultrawide Front; 8 MP |
| Sound | Stereo speakers 3.5 mm socket |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint reader |
| Battery | 4630 mAh 18W charging 15W wireless charging |
| Colours | Ultra Blue, Granite Gray |
| Price | About KES 50000 |
On the other hand, the Nokia C30 is the latest member of the C-series. For housekeeping reasons, the C lineup was launched back in 2019 and is basically an ultra-budget line that runs Android Go. As of this moment, the C30 sits at the top of the segment.
Here are its specifications:
| Nokia C30 | Specs |
|---|---|
| 4G | Yes |
| Weight | 237g |
| Screen | 6.82" 720 x 1600 pixels |
| SIM | Dual |
| Chips | Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) IMG8322 |
| Software | Android 11 Go Edition |
| Memory | 2/32 GB 3/32 GB 3/64 GB |
| Camera | Rear: 13 MP main 2 MP depth sensor Front: 5 MP |
| Fingerprint reader | yes |
| Battery | 6000 mAh 10W charging |
| Colours | Green, White |
| Price | About KES 10000 |
As said, Nokia never passes up the chance to remind its loyal fanbase that it was the king of phones back in the day. To this end, it always releases a modernized version of one of its past devices.
This time around, HMD has bumped up the 6310 with a new coat that would appeal to a feature phone buyer, but in 2021.
The device should cost around KES 5000.
In the audio department, Nokia has released the following wireless earbuds in the growing wireless headsets industry that was first shaken up by Apple’s AirPods:
Nokia Clarity Earbuds Pro
Features: Bluetooth 5.2, ANC, aptX support, 10mm drivers, up to 27 hours of playtime with the case, low latency, IPX5 certification, and wireless charging for the case.
Price; About KES 10K
Nokia Comfort Earbuds
Features: Bluetooth 5.1, touch controls, IPX5 certification, up to 29 hours of playtime with the case.
Price: About KES 5000
Nokia Go Earbuds+
Features: Bluetooth 5.0, up to 26 hours of playtime with the case, touch controls, IPXX splash-proof.
Price: About KES 3000
