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Nokia 6 (2018)
Nokia 6 (2018)
Nokia 6 (2018)
Nokia 6 (2018)
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7.8/10
Informr score
The Nokia 6 (2018) currently has an Informr score of 7.8 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 35 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

Combining their simplified design aesthetic with a solid spec sheet, the Nokia 6.1 is a solid option for anyone looking for a mid-tier phone with a more refined user experience. Just mind the battery life.

What's good

  • Large, bright display
  • Plenty of storage
  • MicroSD or Dual SIM support
  • Android One certified
  • Sturdy, attractive design
  • Fast charging

What's bad

  • Inconsistent camera software
  • Screen glare
  • Weak battery

Nokia built a reputation around solid, classy designs with a minimalist experience. When the smartphone revolution came, Nokia didn’t fare well. With the release of the Nokia 6 (2018) -- also known as the Nokia 6.1 -- they’re out to prove they still have what it takes to take on the mid-tier market.

With an all-metal aluminum chassis and squarish edges, the phone bucks the typical trends of glossy glass and sleek curves. It’s also heavier than much of the competition. But reviewers found the heft reassuring and didn’t have trouble with the edges digging into palms. However, the diamond cut edges are a bit more prone to scratches and dings than reviewers would have liked to see.

Around front, you’re greeted with a similarly minimalist design. The 5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD panel includes a layer of Gorilla Glass 3 for added protection and glare resistance. There are no buttons on the front -- so you’ll be using software buttons to navigate. Since the phone uses the older 16:9 aspect ratio, there’s also decent bezels at the top and bottom of the display.

In terms of screen quality, its good but not great. The color is on the cool side and contrast drops when viewing it at extreme angles. Otherwise, it’s plenty bright and detailed.

Powering the phone, you’ll find an octa-core 2.2 GHz Snapdragon 603 processor with 3GB of RAM. This is more than enough for playing the occasional game or bouncing between apps -- but don’t expect it to take on any flagships in terms of performance. In daily use, it’s enough to get the job done without being frustrating.

The phone includes a generous 32GB of internal storage for your apps, games, and media. If you’d like to upgrade storage, support for microSD cards makes it easy. But that requires using the second SIM card slot. So you’ll either have more space or an added line, but not both.

The phone ships with Android 8.1 Oreo. As an Android One phone, you’ll enjoy fast updates and no bloatware. Overall, the software appears solid with no mentions of slowdown, crashes, or weird behaviors. The promise of updates for two years is also reassuring if you’re not the type to upgrade phones often.

The simplified trend continues with the Nokia 6.1’s cameras. You’ll find a single-lens 16MP rear camera with an 8MP front-facing lens. Reviews for the cameras are respectable for its price. However, some reviewers had software issues with lag and focus. Fortunately, this is something Nokia can address with updates. The cameras are not ideal for low-light use and struggle in high-contrast environments -- but overall, there’s far worse available for a similar price.

Battery life was the only area where reviewers consistently noticed issues. While the 3000mAh battery with USB Type-C fast charging is good for a 50% charge in roughly 30 minutes, you’ll want keep your charger handy. Most found that the battery didn’t quite make it through the day with regular use of social media, light gaming, and the occasional selfie session. 

Overall, reviews are positive. Pocket-Lint summed up opinions well saying, “... You're getting a lot of phone for your money. It's not just the generous hardware that makes a difference here, with Full HD screen and mid-range Snapdragon platform, but when you put this Nokia phone down on the table, it's a solid, good-looking device that shows the brand has found its form once more.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.2 GHz
5.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.5"
16+ MP, f/2.0
Camera
Camera
16+ MP, f/2.0
3000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

The 4GB RAM variant of the Nokia 6 (2018) is hard to recommend. The performance gains are incremental at best and are hard to notice in day-to-day use. Apart from the bump in internal storage, there is no compelling reason to spend more on the higher-end variant of the Nokia 6 (2018).

- Shobhit Varma, Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

Has terrific build quality, great performance, good battery life, and pure Android with the promise of regular software updates. The Nokia brand name has always been associated with solid phones, and the Nokia 6 (2018) proudly carries that flag forward.

- Shobhit Varma, Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 platform used by the new Nokia 6 (2018) is certainly a step up from last year’s Snapdragon 430, and the phone’s UI felt fluid in our brief time using the device. That could be in part because of Nokia’s adoption of the Android One software platform.

- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360
The Wirecutter
The Wirecutter

This model offers a bright, vibrant, 5.5-inch 1080p display, along with a good camera, a gorgeous aluminum body, and software updates for two years from release. But it won’t work on CDMA carriers like Verizon.

- Ryan Whitwam, The Wirecutter
Ars Technica
Ars Technica

The Nokia 6.1 is beautifully built to a price—it's just that this price point means you miss out on the latest-and-greatest SoC, a modern slim bezel design, a top-tier camera, and a better display panel. Personally, I want something more high-end than the Nokia 6.1. But the people who casually ask f...

- Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Nokia 6 (2018) user manual here.


Nokia backs up the 6 (2018) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your 6 (2018) has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nokia support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nokia's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
5.5"

The Nokia 6 (2018)'s screen size is 5.5 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.2 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 Octa core 2.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 7.1.1 Nougat (Update Available: 9.0 Pie) operating system (OS).

Camera
16+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 16+ MP, f/2.0 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 8+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
32/64 GB

Internal memory is 32/64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
3000mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3000 mAh battery. Nokia's performance ratings are 1084 minutes, 658 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

6 (2018) Specs

Overview
Release Date April 11, 2018
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 7.1.1 Nougat (Update Available: 9.0 Pie)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 Octa core 2.2 GHz
Internal Storage 32/64 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.94 W/kg
Body: 0.77 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
16+ Megapixels, f/2.0
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (Dual LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, Slow motion recording
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 403 pixels
Size 5.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3000 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 605 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 658 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1084 minutes
Standby Time Up to 21 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Black, Silver
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.88 x 7.58 x 0.86 cm (5.9 x 3 x 0.3 in)
Weight 172 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Nokia 6.1
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Nokia 6 (2018) Reviews
Where to buy Nokia 6 (2018)
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