Earlier today, HMD Global launched three new smartphones in the Kenyan market. These are the Nokia 1, Nokia 6 (2018) and the Nokia 7 Plus. Missing from this list is the Nokia 8 Sirocco and given the fact that the company said nothing about this, my guess is that we will not be getting it in Kenya anytime soon. We have already told you about the Nokia 1 which is available for Ksh 9,500, you can read about that here.
The other two smartphones are the Nokia 6 (2018) and the Nokia 7 Plus that are available for Ksh 29,000 and Ksh 46,000 respectively. These are not cheap but for what they offer, they are worth it. Out of the two, my favourite is the Nokia 6 (2018), it just feels good to hold and feels upgraded when I compare it to the original Nokia 6 that I reviewed last year.
The Nokia 6 (2018)
The Nokia 6 (2018) is not entirely a new device, it is an upgraded version of the Nokia 6 but the upgrades a worth it. “The new Nokia 6 is the embodiment of our core values – quality phones based on real-life needs. We’ve enhanced everything our fans loved about their Nokia 6 including making it more than 60% faster. We’ve also added in-demand features like USB-C fast-charging and our unique Dual-Sight technology, enhanced by ZEISS optics. We have improved on the award-wining formula of the original Nokia 6, our first Android smartphone which received praise from around the world[i] for its design, durability and performance, making it last longer and perform even better, “ said Joseph Umunakwe, General Manager HMD Global.
The Nokia 6 (2018) is one of the many devices HMD plans to release as it aims to be among the top 3 smartphone manufacturers within the next five years. You can say this is ambitious but the company managed to ship 70 million smartphones last year, its first official year of operation ever since it re-introduced the Nokia brand to the smartphone market. With this in mind, the company can be in the top three list if it continues to impress.
At Ksh 29,000, the Nokia 6 (2018) will be the choice for consumers who may also be looking at the OPPO F5 and a few other recent smartphones. OPPO is mainly marketed as a camera phone while Nokia is selling an experience so the two devices may end up appealing to different people.
The Nokia 6 (2018) brings the Bothie feature that we saw on the Nokia 8. This is the feature where you are able to record with the front and rear cameras at the same time. This is not the most useful feature but it is one way for HMD to differentiate its devices from what is available from other manufacturers.
Some of the key specifications of the Nokia 6 (2018) are listed below:
Display Size: 5.5 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels
Processor: 2.2 GHz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor
RAM: 3/4 GB
Storage Space: 32/64 GB, can be expanded up to 256GB using a microSD card
GPU: Adreno 508
Android Version: Android 8.1 Oreo (
Camera: 16 MP Camera at the back with a 8 MP front facing one
Battery: 3000 mAh removable battery
The Nokia 7 Plus
The Nokia 7 Plus is targeting a different customer base and you can tell that from its price. The phone is available for Ksh 46,000 which is cheaper that what the Nokia 8 was going for but it is still not the cheapest smartphone out there. The Nokia 7 Plus has a premium look and feel and this is what HMD Global was going for. The company does not want to compete with other manufacturers just based on the specifications but wants their devices to be appealing in terms of the looks and user experience.
“Featuring unprecedented design and innovative imaging, the Nokia 7 plus, running on Android Oreo, is a true hero in our smartphone range. We know our fans are capturing, watching, exploring, working and gaming on their mobile phones more than ever before. From livestreaming both sides of their story to binging their favourite TV shows, they want to see more in the palm of their hand. That’s why we’ve designed the Nokia 7 plus to be your stylish companion that goes wherever you go, always ready to deliver a high-quality big screen experience. Tightly packed in an ultra-compact body, the Nokia 7 plus will give our fans the chance to see more, do more, capture more and share it as it happens,” said Joseph Umunakwe , General Manager, West, East and Central Africa (WECA), HMD Global.
With the Nokia 7 Plus, HMD is targeting those who are looking for a superior build on their smartphones and top of the line camera experience at an affordable price.
Some of the Nokia 7 Plus specifications are highlighted below:
Display Size: 6.0 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels
Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor
RAM: 4 GB
Storage Space: 64 GB, can be expanded up to 256GB using a microSD card
GPU: Adreno 512
Android Version: Android 8.1 Oreo (
Camera: Dual12 MP+12 MP Cameras at the back with a 16 MP front facing one
Battery: 3800 mAh removable battery
Both the Nokia 6 (2018) and Nokia 7 Plus are available in retail stores as from today.
Also Read: The Nokia 6 Review