The phrase "best Nokia phones" might sound like an oxymoron. Many people either assume the company no longer exists, or that they only make cheap burner phones.
But Nokia re-entered the mobile phone market in 2016, through the formation of the Finnish company HMD, and it hasn't looked back since. Nowadays some of the latest Nokia smartphones are actually pretty advanced. So while even the best Nokia phones don't match up to the top Apple iPhones or Samsung Galaxy phones, they still have a lot to offer if you want to spend considerably less than a grand on a phone.
Based on our deep experience of testing and reviewing smartphones, we've brought together a curated selection of the best Nokia phones available today.
The best Nokia phones in 2024
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Best Nokia phone overall
The Nokia XR21 is a nice-looking, rugged smartphone that combines durability with a more refined design. Unlike many bulky rugged phones, the XR21 maintains a sleek profile while still offering IP68/IP69K water and dust resistance and MIL-STD-810H certification for durability.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor, the XR21 offers decent performance and 5G connectivity. The 6.49-inch IPS display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and provides good visibility with 450 nits of brightness.
Now the downsides. The phone comes with a 64MP main sensor and an 8MP ultrawide lens, but while the camera performance is adequate, it's not outstanding. Video recording is limited to 1080p, and while the 4800mAh battery supports 33W fast charging, it lacks wireless charging options.
Overall, then, its high price point is difficult to justify given the midrange specifications. Comparable devices often offer better processors, more RAM, and additional storage at lower prices. That said, if you specifically want a rugged device, that still looks stylish device, then you may consider it worth paying a premium.
Best Nokia phone for value
The Nokia G60 5G is a budget-friendly phone that offers some impressive features for its price point. Its standout qualities include a capable Snapdragon 695 5G processor, which handles everyday tasks and even some mobile gaming with ease. The 6.58-inch IPS LCD display boasts a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, enhancing the overall user experience.
Camera performance is a mixed bag, though. While the main 50MP lens produces good results, the ultrawide and depth sensors are less impressive. On the plus side, the 4,500mAh battery provides excellent longevity, often lasting two days on a single charge with moderate use. Overall, the Nokia G60 5G represents good value for those seeking 5G capabilities and solid performance on a budget.
Best Nokia phone for battery
The Nokia G20 stands out in the budget phone market primarily due to its impressive 5,050mAh battery, which can last two to three days on a single charge. The phone's design is attractive, with a textured back and a distinctive circular camera module, and its main 48MP camera produces decent photos in good lighting conditions.
However, the G20 makes several compromises to achieve its low price point. The Mediatek Helio G35 processor is quite slow, leading to occasional lag in app loading and performance. The 720p display, while large at 6.52 inches, lacks the crispness of Full HD screens found in pricier rivals. Another drawback is the lack of 5GHz Wi-Fi support, which can result in slower internet speeds.
Despite these limitations, the Nokia G20 could be a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery life and clean software over performance and display.
Best value Nokia phone for photography
Released in 2020, the pricing for Nokia 8.3 on third-party sites nowadays seems all over the place right now. However, if you can get one for under $500 (or your country's equivalent), it's worth checking out as its camera is fairly decent.
The rear camera features a 64MP f/1.9 main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with an aperture of f/2.2, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. The 24MP front camera captures good-quality selfies and works well on video calls too, assisted by Zeiss optics in each lens.
The Nokia 8.3 is significantly bigger than the average smartphone, which means that screen protectors and cases aren't as easy to come by. On the plus side, the greater surface area makes room for a 6.81-inch LCD screen, boasting 1080 x 2400 resolution. In terms of storage, 64GB is a fraction of what you'll get on a top-end phone, but should still be enough for most people’s needs.
The 4,500mAh battery of the Nokia 8.3 is pretty capable and should get you through an entire day, unless you're doing some intense video streaming. Don't get us wrong, this is not the best phone on the market by any means. But if you’re looking for a high-end experience, a decent camera, and 5G at (potentially) a fraction of the price of a new iPhone, Samsung, or Google Pixel phone, the 8.3 offers excellent value.
Best eco-friendly Nokia phone
The Nokia X30 5G is a great all-rounder and a bargain price for what the device can do. The camera system includes a main 50-megapixel f/1.8 lens that performs superbly in both daylight and darker scenes with advanced AI camera features such as Dark Vision and Portrait AI, and Capture Fusion technology.
The video quality produced is pretty good too, with spatial audio. The Snapdragon 695 5G chipset keeps everything running quite smoothly, and you have the options of either 6GB or 8GB of RAM.
Described as one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly smartphones around, the Nokia X30 5G is made almost entirely from recycled materials and pushes the limits of smartphone life expectancy. Especially with Nokia's 3-3-3 promise, which you can learn more about in our full review of the Nokia X30 5G.
Best cheap Nokia phone
Short of cash for a new phone? Then this is where Nokia really comes into its own. For less than $100/£100, you should be able to pick up this smartphone running Android 10 and with a decent (4.000mAh) battery.
Released in 2021, the Nokia 1.4 comes with a sizeable 6.51-inch, 20:9 aspect screen. This serves up a 720 x 1600 resolution, which is lower than the first two phones on our list, but still good enough for most people’s needs.
It’s a similar story with photography. The 1.4’s dual camera setup, with an 8MP main sensor and 2MP macro sensor, means you’re not going to get high quality, detailed pictures. But for quick shots to share with friends or on social media, it’s perfectly acceptable.
The biggest compromises with this phone are the miserly 1GB RAM, which means it runs slowly, and that it charges by micro USB rather than the USB-C, which means it takes a long time to power up. But overall, you’ll still struggle to find a better phone at this price, from any brand on the market today.
Read more: • Best camera phone • Best budget camera phones • Best iPhone for photography • Best burner phone • Best 5G phone • Best phablets • Best flip phones • Best phablets
