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HMD International has pivoted its focus away from flagships and towards finances Android telephones in recent times, a lot of that are focused in the direction of U.S. carriers. The Nokia X100 is a T-Cell-exclusive smartphone with a complicated title, given it has comparable specs to different lower-numbered fashions just like the Nokia X20 and Nokia G50.
Title apart, it is an inexpensive 5G cellphone with options like NFC, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and microSD card slot — all pretty uncommon for this value class. Equally, the efficiency matches up effectively in opposition to different under-$300 Android telephones, as does the 6.67-inch Full HD show and loud OZO audio audio system.
That being stated, any finances cellphone has to make compromises someplace, and this cellphone has its fair proportion. Our Nokia X100 assessment ought to enable you to resolve in case you can dwell with these, or if one other finances cellphone suits your wants higher.
Worth and availability
HMD International launched the Nokia X100 on November 19, 2021, as an unique 5G mannequin with T-Cell or Metro by T-Cell in the US. It ships in only one shade, Midnight Blue, and is barely accessible within the 6GB/128GB reminiscence configuration.
You’ll be able to obtain the Nokia X100 for “free” from T-Cell in case you add a brand new line of service; you merely buy it on a month-to-month plan and pay tax on the cellphone — about $25 — and you will obtain 24 month-to-month invoice credit that add as much as the complete value of the cellphone. In any other case, the X100 prices $252.
This similar deal applies to different finances telephones just like the Galaxy A32, OnePlus Nord N200 5G, Moto G Stylus 5G, and TCL 30 XE 5G.
The Nokia X100 comes with an 18W charger, a suitable USB-C cable, and a SIM pin.
What you may like
With most finances Android telephones, including 5G comes with a trade-off like a decision or efficiency downgrade until you are keen to climb as much as the $400+ vary. With the Nokia X100, it retains a lot of the necessities that I might count on out of any smartphone, beginning with lag-free efficiency.
Nokia X100 specs
Show: 6.67-inch (20:9), 1080 x 2400, about 395 PPI
Processor: Snapdragon 480 5G
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB, 1TB microSD slot
OS: Android 11 (no deliberate updates)
Safety updates: 2 years (late 2023)
Rear Cameras: 48 MP Foremost + 5 MP Ultrawide + 2 MP Depth + 2 MP Macro
Entrance Digital camera: 16MP
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C 2.0, NFC, 3.5mm, 802.11 b/g/n/ac MU-MIMO, 2×2 MIMO
5G bands: n71, n66, n25, n41
Battery: 4,470 mAh
Charging: 18W, Fast Cost 3.0
Safety: Gorilla Glass 3, no IP score
Safety: Fingerprint sensor on energy button, Face Unlock
Dimensions: 3.14″ x 6.75″ x 0.36″, 7.65oz
The Snapdragon 480 5G paired with 6GB of RAM will run most every day driver apps with none main delay. Opening an app or a brand new tab will usually take a second or two, however with nowhere close to the lag I’ve seen on most different finances telephones. And as soon as open, apps very not often lagged even when swapping rapidly between them or opening ten Chrome tabs.
For context, most telephones on this value vary both supply 6GB of RAM and 4G or 4GB and 5G. Exhibit A is the Samsung Galaxy A32, which drops from 6GB/128GB with a 90Hz FHD AMOLED show to 4GB/64GB and a 60Hz HD TFT show in trade for a 5G chip. As for the OnePlus Nord N200 5G, it gives the identical Snapdragon 480 chipset because the X100, solely paired with much less RAM; regardless of that, our reviewer was usually happy with its every day efficiency.
In my case, the X100 carried out equally to the Nokia XR20, a mid-range rugged cellphone with the identical Snapdragon 480 / 6GB combo because the X100. In each instances, I may play battle royale video games like PUBG on excessive graphical settings with out a lot situation past the preliminary load time, and widespread Play Cross video games like Useless Cells and Kingdom Rush Frontiers ran easily.
Different duties, from Face Unlock to calling Google Assistant, set off in a snap, so you will not discover the delay. The identical goes for taking pictures, the place different finances telephones will lag between tapping the shutter and capturing the shot.
I additionally appreciated the Full HD show, particularly in comparison with the Nokia G20 and its HD show. Whereas the distinction between QHD and FHD is not that noticeable to my eyes, the FHD-to-HD drop-off actually makes a cellphone really feel low-cost.
The pixel-rich X100 show gives competently vibrant and correct colours. Although it could possibly’t match a flagship cellphone for HDR content material, streaming The Ebook of Boba Fett made Tatooine’s cantina look full of life and its controversial biker teenagers suitably colourful. And whereas taking part in video games like Kingdom Rush with tiny allies and enemies, the 395 pixels per inch (PPI) ensured I by no means misplaced any element.
At 6.67 inches, this cellphone will enchantment to of us who prioritize dimension over portability. The rounded edges and noticeable bezels guarantee your fingers can grip comfortably alongside the sting with out worry of false touches or laborious edges digging into your pores and skin. Anybody with medium-to-large palms shouldn’t have any hassle holding it.
Alongside the sides of the Nokia X100 are a quantity rocker and energy button with built-in fingerprint sensor on the fitting aspect; audio system, a USB-C slot, mic, and three.5mm headphone jack on the underside; a Google Assistant button and SIM card slot on the left; and a mic on prime. On the again, you may discover the standard round digital camera module and a small LED flash slot to its left, together with the Nokia emblem and an NFC chip buried beneath the plastic floor. In entrance, the cellphone has a big selfie cut-out and one other Nokia emblem on the big backside bezel.
Whereas this design has its downsides, I will notice the positives right here. First, the recessed fingerprint sensor appears to be like unbelievable, reads my thumbprint fairly rapidly, and avoids the annoying squishiness of the XR20 energy button.
I really like telephones with a headphone jack, however many (annoyingly) have them put in on prime, inflicting the wire to drape over the show — an issue the X100 prevented.
The downward-firing X100 audio system hit a excessive, wealthy quantity.
In case you’re somebody that prefers cellphone audio system when watching content material in your cellphone, you may be joyful to listen to that the downward-firing X100 audio system hit a excessive, wealthy quantity that did justice to the Lion King opening track “Circle of Life.” You should not have any hassle listening to content material exterior of public transit and you do not wish to be the jerk with out headphones on the MTA in any case.
Google Pay customers will recognize the NFC assist right here. That is not a given at this value: most finances Moto telephones just like the Moto G Energy (2022) lack NFC. You’ll be able to safely go away your pockets at residence with the X100.
And the centered, symmetrical digital camera housing ensures the cellphone would not rock when sitting flat; that is a problem with most non-Nokia telephones with upper-left digital camera modules, and it provides Nokia telephones the sting for individuals who like having their cellphone seen on a desk throughout their workday.
I may technically point out the battery life within the subsequent part, as its 4,470mAh battery falls a bit in need of the 5,000mAh capability discovered in lots of finances telephones on this vary. However I discovered the battery life fairly respectable even with the lower-than-average capability. It will not hit the “two-day battery life” HMD guarantees on its web page until you not often use it, however it’s an all-day cellphone with heavy use or a 1.5-day cellphone with common use. That is loads for most individuals.
You may additionally recognize the 18W “quick” charging. In observe, it will possible take you between 90 minutes and two hours to totally cost your cellphone, however you possibly can definitely give your battery a minor increase in just some minutes.
You will not discover any 5G telephones with “good” cameras at this value, in comparison with what you’d see on even mid-range telephones. However taking its value under consideration, the primary rear and entrance cameras maintain as much as scrutiny. They efficiently seize most particulars inside a sure vary, offered you need not rely a lot on zoom. The selfie digital camera additionally captures a strong quantity of data, although I most well-liked the portrait mode impact of focusing extra on the topic.
Shifting on to connectivity, Android Central named T-Cell the very best 5G community and Metro the very best MVNO on T-Cell’s community, so that you’re sure to get glorious service in most populated areas with the X100. Our 5G skilled, Samuel Contreras, wrote in his T-Cell 5G explainer that it’s best to “make certain your new cellphone helps each band n71 and band n41” to get the “very best outcomes from T-Cell’s community.” The X100 does assist each.
Finally, if you’d like an affordable 5G cellphone from T-Cell, the Nokia X100 has loads of facets that make it price recommending.
What you will not like
In case you’re not a T-Cell or Metro buyer in the US, you will not like that you may’t purchase the Nokia X100! I am assuming most individuals studying this far are present or potential T-Cell prospects, however it’s nonetheless a disgrace in my e-book, given its high quality. Most different finances Nokia telephones lack an FHD show or 5G — or do not promote within the U.S. in any respect, within the case of the comparable X20.
That apart, I am confused and aggravated by HMD International’s determination to launch the X100 with no deliberate OS updates. Nokia’s near-stock, bloatware-free Android 11 software program works fairly effectively, even when it’s kind of boring. However Nokia has already pushed out Android 12 to the X20 and has promised updates as much as Android 15 on the XR20. Each of those telephones have the identical Snapdragon 480 5G SoC and 6GB of RAM. Is it actually so tough to vow a single OS replace when the X100 has the identical {hardware}?
The X100 is a superb stop-gap choice; you may possible wish to swap telephones once more by 2024.
Most individuals affiliate Android 12 with Materials You, however Nokia customers will care extra about dropping entry to new options just like the Privateness Dashboard and scrolling screenshots.
At the very least HMD guarantees two years of safety updates, given many patrons will obtain the X100 for “free” with 24 months of invoice credit, that’ll make sure the cellphone is protected till your subsequent improve a few years from now. That is why I known as the X100 a “nice stop-gap choice.” Irrespective of how a lot you may like utilizing it, you may possible wish to swap telephones once more by 2024, until you are somebody that does not care about updates.
In any other case, you possibly can excuse a lot of the different Nokia X100 downsides as needed compromises to hit its low price ticket. Nonetheless, I’ll run via the listing, so you are not caught off guard with one thing you do not wish to compromise on.
The Nokia X100 lacks an official IP score, a standard incidence with low-cost telephones. You’d must improve to the Pixel 4a (IP52, $350) or increased to get some safety, and that is possible greater than you are keen to pay. Plus, the Gorilla Glass 3 safety ought to block some scratching however is not practically as powerful as later generations.
You additionally will not discover wi-fi charging right here, however once more, that is usually reserved for telephones within the $500-and-up vary.
Additionally much like most finances telephones, the Nokia X100 has noticeable bezels and a big chin bezel, in addition to a larger-than-average cut-out for the selfie digital camera. I discover the prolonged 6.67-inch show helps cancel out the impact of those bezels, however anybody used to a sleeker entrance look should purchase a costlier cellphone.
Nokia X100’s downsides are needed compromises to hit its low price ticket.
Anybody with oily fingers ought to put together themselves to scrub their Nokia X100 very often, because the plastic again picks up fingerprints and smudges fairly simply.
Whereas the primary 48MP digital camera labored effectively sufficient, the 5MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro cameras let me down. Taking close-up photographs, I bought significantly better efficiency out of the primary digital camera, with or with out portrait mode, whereas macro mode by no means let me discover the candy spot. And ultrawide solely ever appeared to zoom out the shot whereas dropping big quantities of element in comparison with the primary lens.
Lastly, the Nokia X100 show is finest suited to indoor use, with its brightness struggling a bit to deal with direct daylight.
The competitors
In case you’re a (Metro by) T-Cell buyer, you’ve 11 “free” cellphone choices accessible as of publication, together with two OnePlus Nord telephones, two Galaxy A telephones, and a boatload of Moto telephones. Relying in your favourite cellphone ecosystem, you do have alternate options accessible to you.
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G ought to supply a powerful various. The N10 5G has a slightly-upgraded Snapdragon 690, 6GB/128GB of reminiscence with a 512GB microSD slot, and a 6.49-inch FHD show with a 90Hz refresh price for barely smoother scrolling. It is costlier than the X100 and also will keep on with Android 11, however the value distinction will not matter in case you settle for T-Cell’s supply.
In any other case, most of Nokia’s competitors on this area — the Galaxy A32 5G, Nord N200 5G, or varied Moto telephones — all make spec compromises in a method or one other. However on the very least, they’ll leap to Android 12, leaving the X100 behind in software program options.
You also needs to look rigorously at T-Cell’s present offers that do not require a trade-in. Whereas the X100 is free with a brand new line, the Pixel 6 is barely $99 with a brand new line. It isn’t even honest to check Google’s new entry-level flagship to Nokia’s finances mannequin, however it goes to point out that even a small finances improve may result in main positive aspects.
Do you have to purchase it?
You can purchase this if…
- You are a T-Cell buyer on the lookout for an affordable improve
- You need an inexpensive cellphone that does not compromise on efficiency, visuals, or audio
- You want dependable all-day battery life and loads of storage
- You are tremendous with Android 11 for the foreseeable future
You should not purchase this if…
- You are keen to spend extra for options like IP safety or wi-fi charging
- You are not a T-Cell buyer
- You want a brilliant show for the outside or a sooner refresh price for smoother scrolling
- You desire a cellphone that’ll get the newest Android software program options
- You want killer digital camera options
The Nokia X100 is a surprisingly sturdy choice for bargain-chasing T-Cell prospects. It has the telltale design perks of a latest Nokia cellphone, from the headphone jack and microSD slot to the Google Assistant button and balanced digital camera housing for resting on a desk. Its efficiency for apps, gaming, and battery life would not disappoint, nor will the visible high quality in comparison with most finances telephones.
That being stated, I would not blame anybody who noticed the Android 11 restriction as a deal-breaker, contemplating new telephones now will launch with Android 12. I can solely hope HMD International adjustments its thoughts, given different telephones with comparable {hardware} will obtain the replace.
In any other case, it’s best to be capable of dwell with the X100’s different downsides. If you cannot, then it’s best to put together to spend extra or commerce up with an outdated handset to purchase a costlier mannequin. On this value vary, the Nokia X100 has only a few rivals.
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