An early look at the Nokia 9 shows off a device with a lot of potential.
Nokia's foray into the world of Android started off with three entry-level offerings — the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 — with the company stating that it would launch high-end phones at a later date. The Nokia 9 is likely to be the first of the premium phones, and a recent leak out of FrAndroid gives us a first look at the design and possible specs.
The phone in question is a prototype of the Nokia 9, and as such is covered in a bulky case that hides its overall design. However, it has cut-outs for the various connectors, confirming USB-C charging and the presence of a 3.5mm jack. The Nokia 9 will have a 5.27-inch QHD display with an Always On mode, two 13MP cameras at the back oriented vertically, 4GB of RAM, 64GB storage, and Quick Charge 3.0. There's also a physical home button up front that houses a fingerprint scanner.
On the software front, it looks like the Nokia 9 will come with Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, and the interface itself doesn't appear to deviate much from vanilla Android. The publication notes that the camera isn't quite up to scratch, but given that it is a prototype model, we should see a lot of improvements in that area before the phone makes its debut.
There's no word on when the Nokia 9 will be made official, but we'll let you know once we hear more.
Reader comments
Nokia 9 leak shows off dual cameras, 5.3-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 835
Ok now this is interesting, probably my next phone
It better be usable on Verizon (CDMA support). Only LG, Moto, and Samsung make unlocked phones that do. I think Axon does as well.
This looks to be a really good phone. If they get it right and can supply the volume I think it might impact Apple and Samsung sales. Quality and the Nokia brand is what it should be about.
Microsoft's Lumia 950xl is still a better phone 1-1/2 years later. I don't like Android OS . Looks like we are going in reverse with this Nokia 9.
But Nokia never made the 950xl... Microsoft did
The Lumia 950xl is a good phone but it was held back by Microsoft and their commitment to mobile phones. The play of moving away from the retail market must have been in the making for years so the last Microsoft phones never got the commitment and marketing support that they deserved.
5.3 inch screen is too small for a new gen phone. IMO, 5.5 should be the starting point.
From what I'm reading elsewhere Always On Display (not sure if they'll call it Glance this time around?) is highly likely so looking more promising by the day.
Only thing I'm concerned about is in those leak photos it shows the camera app open with the dual camera set up as what appears to be a monochrome camera and a colour one. I'm hoping for a zoom and telephoto type set up like the iPhone for Selective photo shots
Interesting. Never owned a Nokia smartphone so would be nice to get something different if they do bring something new to the market to differentiate themselves.
Nice to see a <5.5" phone as I like smaller phones, QHD as well so should look fantastic. Hopefully the phone will be compact with slim bezels (around LG G2 size would be ideal), no glass back, no useless curved display, good battery, a great camera, and I may well be getting this :)
Bought NOKIA shares, future is bright and they pay lovely dividends :-)
Will buy the Nokia 9 no matter what.
I might return to Nokia sometime later if they keep making good devices.
I have faith. HMD is mainly made up of ex-Nokia folks.
Any word on microSD support?
I really hope it has a screen.
I really hope it has an IP68 rating. I really like the idea or waterproofing. I'm currently viewing the Sony phones, but I might try to wait a while. Having a phone bug right now. Really tempting to buy something new.
Very clean camera array. Looks very Nokia. I have no doubt the hardware will be gorgeous, it Nokia. Let's hope their software experience matches it, which it should, it's Nokia.
Nokia-ish.
No, it's NOKIA! pretty well the entire team MS decided to fire moved to the new NOKIA.
On one hand, I really want to support Nokia and give this a try. On the other, going to a smaller screen size (I have a OnePlus 3T with a 5.5" now, and I still miss the 6.8" Zenfone 3 Ultra) always feels like a downgrade.
What rights did Nokia keep to their mobile camera technology after their deal with Microsoft ?
I don't think HMD retained any of the Zeiss partnership and the former Nokia photography expertise would still be under Microsoft.
Microsoft supposedly retained some of licensing to Pureview and the deal with Zeiss lenses, but from ehat Ive read, all the ex-Nokians and their imaging expertise are gone from Microsoft.
I know that Apple and others have hired up some of those folks.
Nokia has the patents, MS paid a licensing fee to use them. Regarding Zeiss I don't know if the contract is up with MS, I think it should be fine by now considering MS hasn't made a phone with Zeiss optics since 2015.
I Loved the camera on my lumia icon. If the cameras carry Nokia's usual camera magic forward ill be on one of these asap.
The test shots look awful which is really worrying and initially dissapointing. If they sort that out I'll be at the front of the queue for one
Water resistance anywhere?
Hopfully, they bring an android powered 1020 successor! I am waiting in line for one of those!!!
That would tempt me.
With the SD835 or higher, I would be first in line for it.
Hello, NOKIA, you listening? 1020 esque device, insane camera, 4.7" screen, xenon flash, no stupid LED flash stuff, camera centric accessories and software! Come on. I am all in for 1000 bucks then!!!!!!!
Lol sadly I doubt they are listening. But if they are, the technology is able to really carry that type of device now. The L1020/808 Pureview were ahead of their time.
I'm really excited to see what they bring to the table. Mainly in the camera department.
If it includes wireless charging, stereo speakers and water resistance I could be swayed.