HMD is updating its entry-level and mid-range smartphone lines next month with the launch of the new Nokia 1.3 and Nokia 5.3 smartphones.

Both phone should be available starting in April, and while they may not be as cheap as the new $42 Nokia 5310 or as powerful as the new Nokia 8.3 5G, they are positioned to offer some decent bang for the buck through a combination of hardware and software features.

Nokia 5.3

  • 6.55 inch HD+ display with 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Qualcom Snapdragon 665 processor
  • 3GB, 4GB, and 6GB RAM options
  • 64GB storage + microSD card slot (up to 512GB)
  • 13MP primary + 5MP ultra-wide + 2MP depth + 2MP macro cameras
  • 8MP front camera
  • 4,000 mAh battery
  • USB-Type C port
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 802.11ac WiFi
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • 4G LTE Cat 4
  • FM Radio (headset required)

The phone ships with Android 10, but it’s an Android One device, which means it’ll run near-stock Android software and get at least two years of major OS updates — starting with Android 11, which is set to launch later this year.

Update: It turns out the Nokia 5.3 is not officially an Android One device, but it will get the same guarantee of 2-years of major OS updates and 3-years of security updates. 

HMD says the Nokia 5.3 gets up to 2 days of battery life, has a “2.5D” curved glass display, and has a dedicated Google Assistant button (whether you want it or not). You should be able to pick up a 4GB/64GB version of the phone globally in April for 189 Euros (about $200).

Nokia 1.3

  • 5.71 inch HD+ display with 19:9 aspect ratio
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 16GB storage + microSD card slot (up to 400GB)
  • 8MP rear camera
  • 5MP front camera
  • 3,000 mAh battery (removable)
  • micro USB port
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 802.11b/g/n WiFi
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • 4G LTE Cat 4
  • FM Radio (headset required)

While this budget phone has limited RAM and an underwhelming processor, it also has the low price tag of about 95 Euros ($102) and it’s an Android Go Edition device that HMD says will be the first phone to ship with Google’s new Camera Go app designed for low-end phones with limited storage and processing power.

The company says it features HDR low-light photography enhancements, and supports a software-based portrait mode for blurring the backgrounds of your shots.

Plus… headphone jack, SD card reader, and removable battery — three features you don’t often see on higher-priced phones anymore. So there’s that.

press release

 

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2 replies on “Nokia 5.3 and Nokia 1.3 budget smartphones coming in April”

  1. Android Go was pretty bad when it launched, and hasn’t aged well either. IMO it’s time for 1GB RAM phones to go the way of the dodo. Seriously. There are sub-$100 phones with 2GB now.

    1. I agreed on the 1GB statement, however Android Go is actually pretty good.
      It’s easy to use, light and does 80% of what people who spend less than $100 on a phone wants to see. What really needs to go the way of the Dodo is micro-usb this thing has always been horrible, and should have died years ago.

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