HMD Global started sending out media invites for a launch event scheduled for April 4 in India. The company was previously expected to announce only a few of its smartphones that were made official at Mobile World Congress 2018 in February, but recent listings on Nokia India’s website confirm that the entire lineup will be introduced in the country at tomorrow’s event. The list of devices expected to be announced in India includes the Nokia 8110 4G feature phone, Nokia 6 (2018), Nokia 7 Plus, and the Nokia 8 Sirocco. HMD Global already announced the Nokia 1 Android Go smartphone in March, having priced it at Rs. 5,499 ($85) in the South Asian country.
The Nokia 7 Plus is HMD Global’s first and only smartphone to boast a display using the newer 18:9 aspect ratio, which is a feature even the higher-end Nokia 8 Sirocco doesn’t sport. It is a mid-range smartphone that comes powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM and has a 3,800mAh battery. The Nokia 8 Sirocco, on the other hand, features a curved POLED display with a conventional 16:9 aspect ratio offering a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. It is powered by the Snapdragon 835 chipset and includes 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The Nokia 6 was refreshed for 2018 to offer a better performance using the Snapdragon 630 processor and up to 4GB of RAM. The device borrows the premium metal build from its predecessor and shares a few features like a ZEISS camera lens and OZO Audio with its higher-end siblings. Finally, the Nokia 8110 4G is a basic feature phone running KaiOS that comes powered by the Snapdragon 205 SoC and has 512MB of RAM.
Except the Nokia 1, all other Android-powered smartphones announced at MWC will be part of the Android One program, ensuring faster firmware and security updates. Nokia is betting big on Android One and Android Go programs, both initiated by Google to provide a more reliable Android experience irrespective of one’s device of choice. While Android Go focuses on entry-level smartphones that cater to first-time smartphone buyers in certain emerging markets, the Android One program has now shifted its focus to the mid-range segment, and even the high-end space with the arrival of the Nokia 8 Sirocco.