Nokia 3
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“We gave the Nokia 3 every chance to impress us, sadly, without much success. To HMD's credit, the entry-level device is surprisingly well equipped to handle a connected lifestyle in 2017. There are plenty of little details, here and there, that offer some added value, but the Nokia 3 simply fails to deliver a solid overall smartphone experience.”
“Bright and high-contrast screen, low power consumption, stylish casing - the Nokia 3 has a good position in the entry-level category. However, not much value should be placed on a good camera since the smartphone can only offer this conditionally.”
“The Nokia 3 feels like the wrong first step for a new Nokia. We accept that there's a great demand for phones that are affordable, but with the likes of Motorola offering some great devices around this price or a fraction higher, it's hard to see how the Nokia 3 competitively fits into the equation. That's a shame, because we think that smartphone fans wanted something worthy of the Nokia name. As it is, the Nokia 3 is a forgettable device and can only really be recommended for someone who is an infrequent smartphone user, with low expectations when it comes to performance.”
“The Nokia 3 is a well-designed phone that catches the eye, but this impression turns out to be only superficial. Using the phone reveals many shortcomings: the stuttery, underpowered performance, the camera that is completely inept in video and one terribly imbalanced display. If you are on the hunt for that perfect cheap phone… well, who knows if it even exists, but we know that it most likely is not the Nokia 3.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Once a contender for the top of the mobile phone charts, the age of smartphones hasn’t been too kind to Nokia. With their latest release, they’re targeting the entry-level market. But even that market is ultra-competitive today…
Does the Nokia 3 offer a compelling experience?
Reviewers are weighing in… let’s see what they have to say!
Reviewers loved the design of the Nokia 3 despite the plastic design. Reviewers found the squared design comfortable in the hand and the textured back provided plenty of grip. NDTV summed up opinions well, saying, “While [it] doesn’t have an all-metal body, the quality of polycarbonate used for the back and its metal frame still make the design good overall.”
Things slide downhill from there…
While reviewers felt the 5-inch 720p IPS display offered ample detail and brightness, nearly every review mentioned a blue hue shifting colors on the display. Many also complained about reflections making the phone hard to use in bright lighting. Phone Arena described the screen as “… one of the worst displays in terms of color reproduction that we have seen in a long while.”
Performance reviews aren’t much better. The quad-core 1.3Ghz MediaTek processor and 2GB of RAM offer enough power for basic use. But reviewers found that gaming and graphics-intensive websites were slow to load and stuttered.
The stock interface on Android 7.0 Nougat impressed reviewers. This is rare in the budget market. The lack of customizations and bloatware means most of the 16GB of internal storage is free to use. Should you need more space, the microSD slot supports cards up to 128GB in capacity.
While the 2,630mAh battery might seem small when other phones are sporting batteries 3,000mAh or more, the slower processor and 720p screen help stretch battery life to respectable levels. Phone Arena noted, “… we average around a day and a half off the charger, with more intense use killing the battery in a day.”
If you run out of juice, there’s no fast charging. So you’ll need nearly two hours to go from empty to full.
Budget phones aren’t known for their picture taking prowess. The 8MP front and rear cameras on this phone are no exception. Reviewers had issues in low light and found the camera slow to focus in good lighting. If you’re hoping to take video, the phone limits you to 720p.
Overall, reviewers found it hard to recommend the Nokia 3. Alphr summed up opinions well, saying, “It’s an attractive, practical handset and one that’s cheaper than most of its rivals, too. In every other respect, however, the Nokia 3 lags behind.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Nokia 3 released?
The Nokia 3 was released on May 31, 2017.
How long does the battery last on the Nokia 3?
The Nokia 3 has a 2,630 mAh battery.
Does the Nokia 3 support wireless charging?
No, the Nokia 3 does not support wireless charging.
Does the Nokia 3 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Nokia 3 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Nokia 3 have NFC?
Yes, the Nokia 3 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I download the Nokia 3 manual?
You can view and download the Nokia 3 manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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Well, it will drain your battery faster than normal. Other than that, it's ok.