Nokia X Hands-On
The rumours were true. As if there was ever any doubt, Nokia now has a
range of entry-level Android smartphones. The 4-inch Nokia X and Nokia
X+ handsets are aimed at emerging markets, and
feel quite different to any other Android handsets on the market.
Rest assured, these are by no means high-end phones. Priced at roughly
$125 and $135 for the X and X+ respectively, those looking for fancy
PureView camera tech or speedy processors should turn their attentions
elsewhere. I tried out the Nokia X+ handset, which is virtually
identical to the standard Nokia X aside from two key differences -
firstly, it comes with 4GB of built-in storage with microSD expansion
whereas the X has only the bare minimum onboard storage required to
house the OS and pre-loaded apps. Secondly, the X+ gets a marginal RAM
boost, packing 768MB compared to the 512MB in the X. Yep, they're the
sort of numbers we're dealing with here.
Both make use of a 4-inch IPS LCD, 800 x 480 resolution screen, and
each comes in a range multi-coloured, polycarbonate cases, just like the
Lumia range. Each is quite a chunky handset, measuring 115.5 x 63 x
10.4mm and weighing 129g, but the colourful casings do give them
something unique in the sea of Android devices. Only three buttons sit
on the handsets - power and a volume rocker along the edge, plus a
touch-sensitive back button just below the screen, which doubles up as a
home button if long-pressed. Each also offers dual-SIM capabilities.
Most notably different from other Android devices though is the
operating system. Nokia has opted to use the AOSP, Android Open Source
Project, tweaking the OS considerably to include a Lumia-like interface
and plenty of Nokia and Microsoft's own services. The likes of Outlook
and Bing replace Android standards such as Gmail and Google Search, for
instance.
The UI will look quite familiar to anyone who has used
one of Nokia's Lumia Windows Phone devices. It features rows of square
app tiles, arranged and resized in a grid formation as you see fit. Some
of these will also include live and updating information, while putting
the photo album app on your homescreen, for instance, will see your
snaps cycle through automatically in a small square pane. The lockscreen
is simple, offering time and date, social networking and messaging
notifications and a detailed look at remaining battery. A double-tap
will wake the screen from sleep.
Swiping down from a homescreen offers quick access to a small selection
of connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as a spot
from which you can swap the active SIM. All notifications, app history
and favourites however sit in a screen called the "Fastlane", which is
accessed by swiping right to left on a homescreen. Here you have quick
access to notifications, recently used apps, calendar and alarm
notifications, among other features. Organised as a vertical list, it's
easy enough to browse and is well laid out, though we're not sure why it
couldn't have just been accessed from the downswipe area - it undoes
years of Android navigation muscle-memory.
Alongside the
512MB/768MB of RAM in the X and X+ respectively is a 8225 Qualcomm
Snapdragon 1GHz Dual Core processor. It's not the snappiest out there by
any means, and I noticed a considerably delay when trying to re-arrange
apps on the homescreen. It doesn't bode well for intensive 3D
applications.
Without Google's Play Store to access, Nokia has
included its own app portal, the Nokia Store. It's equipped with
hundreds of thousands of apps immediately, including all the major
social networks, custom keyboards such as SwitKey and top games
including Jetpack Joyride. It's simple enough to navigate, with a search
bar at the top, a large featured app banner and then other recommended
apps in tiles that can be scrolled through vertically below. Hitting an
app brings you to its purchasing page, with information including file
size, developer and price displayed.
Developers will also be
able to offer try-before-you buy options and operator billing, adding
flexibility for the low-income buyers the handsets are aimed at. Nokia
also allows access to third-party app stores, as well as the
side-loading of standard Android APK files. So while the Nokia Store may
not match Google's own in terms of sheer numbers of applications,
you've seemingly enough options to be able to get any missing apps onto
the device either way.
Fans of Nokia's PureView camera tech will be disappointed with the 3MP
rear sensor. It's merely functional, taking shots which look slightly
washed out, and lacking in detail. Apart from white balance and
on-screen digital zoom controls there's no built-in filter options, so
you'll have to download a third-party app if you want to add some retro
stylings to your images.
You get what you pay for then; at
roughly $125 for the X and $135 for the X+, it's a perfect entry into
the world of smartphones for those in emerging markets or on a low
income. But it won't see Nokia bothering the premium end of the Android
smartphone spectrum. The Nokia X should be in stores immediately, with
the Nokia X+ following at some point in Q2.
