HMD Global’s revival of the iconic Nokia brand marks a departure from its Windows 10 Mobile days. While previously known for innovation, the company now joins the notch trend, evident in the Nokia 6.1 Plus, the global variant of the anticipated Nokia X6 (priced at Rs 16,130 on Banggood). With a focus on mass appeal, premium design, modest specifications, and competitive pricing, the Nokia X6 aims to capture a wider market. After using the device as my daily driver for several weeks, here’s my insight:
Note: We are using the Nokia X6 (the Chinese variant) for this review, so you may notice some additional features atop the stock Android One experience.
What’s in the Box
- Nokia X6
- Silicon clear case
- Charging adapter
- USB Type-C cable
- SIM ejection tool
- Instruction guides
HMD Global previously provided in-ear headphones with its devices but I was disappointed to not see one in the box this time.
Nokia X6 Specs
Before I share my experience with the Nokia X6, take a look at the complete specs:
| Dimensions | 147.2 x 71 x 8 mm |
| Weight | 151 grams (5.33 oz) |
| Display | 5.84-inch Full-HD+ IPS LCD, 19:9 aspect ratio |
| Processor | octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 |
| GPU | Adreno 509 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Internal Storage | 64GB, expandable up to 256GB |
| Primary Camera | dual 16 MP (f/2.0) + 5 MP (f/2.4) with PDAF, dual-tone LED flash, EIS, HDR |
| Secondary Camera | 16 MP (f/2.0) |
| Operating System | Android 8.1 Oreo, under Android One program |
| Battery | 3,060mAh Li-ion non-removable |
| Sensors | rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, WiFi Direct, USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, GPS, GLONASS |
| Colors | Black and Blue |
| Price | HKD 2,288 (approx Rs 19,999) |
Design and Build Quality
Unboxing the Nokia X6 reveals a departure from its predecessor, the Nokia 6.1, showcasing distinctive aesthetics. Noteworthy features include the front-notch, sleek glass body, and lightweight design, setting it apart in its price segment.
Let’s delve into each of these elements.
Firstly, the prominent notch adorning the screen’s top is impossible to miss. In an era where notches are commonplace among Android devices, Nokia embraces this trend gracefully. The compact notch seamlessly integrates essential components like the earpiece, front camera, and sensors.
Emphasizing the notch, I admire how it shapes a crucial aspect of this device: its compactness and lightweight build. The notch on Nokia X6 minimizes the top and edge bezels, leaving a chin at the bottom adorned with the Nokia logo, reminiscent of the Honor 9N but without impeding user experience.
The notch gives the Nokia X6 a design tailored for single-handed use, ideal for individuals with smaller hands like myself.
Delving into the design, Nokia X6 flaunts a stunning all-glass construction, distinguishing itself from the sea of metallic or plastic counterparts in its price range. While the glass back exudes premium aesthetics, it also attracts fingerprints and is prone to long-term damage.
The rear fingerprint sensor on the Nokia X6 operates swiftly, accompanied by subtle haptic feedback upon unlocking. Despite its seemingly optimal placement, it sits slightly lower, often causing the index finger to land on the flash instead. Adjustments are needed to reach the sensor comfortably.
The buttons on the right are clicky and feel solid to the touch, with the USB-C port and speakers at the bottom, and the 3.5mm headphone jack at the top. Overall, this makes the Nokia X6 a well-rounded device for consumers.
Display
The Nokia X6 features a 5.84-inch Full-HD+ IPS LCD panel with a 19:9 aspect ratio and an 81.5% screen-to-body ratio due to the notch up-top. This results in a pixel density of about 432ppi, which enhances the device’s appeal.
With an improved screen-to-body ratio, this phone offers more screen space compared to others in its price range, enhancing content readability and social media browsing. The quality of the IPS LCD panel impressed me, boasting accurate color reproduction and crisp viewing angles, perfect for sharing content with friends.
While there’s a notch at the top, it’s becoming less of a distraction for me, and I now prefer phones with it. The Nokia X6’s screen is exceptionally bright both indoors and outdoors, ensuring clear visibility even under direct sunlight, making it a versatile display at its price point.
Performance
The Nokia X6 boasts a Snapdragon 636 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of onboard storage. Operating on stock Android 8.1 Oreo, its performance during my week-long usage exceeded expectations.
This budget chipset ensures swift app launches, rapid loading times, and efficient fingerprint scanning. The camera’s responsiveness complements the seamless stock Android experience, promising further enhancements over time.
If you’re a mobile gamer, the Nokia X6 may sometimes leave you craving more. While titles like Shadow Fight 3 and the recently launched Asphalt 9 run smoothly, PUBG Mobile doesn’t perform on the highest settings. It defaults to the lowest settings, which is disappointing, but I found medium settings to be adequate with only occasional frame drops.
I enjoyed the Nokia X6 and prefer it over my Nokia 7 Plus due to its smaller form factor and comparable experience. However, if benchmark scores are crucial to you, you can find the screenshots of the results below:
User Experience
The Nokia X6 runs stock Android 8.1 Oreo, as it’s part of Google’s Android One program. This ensures you receive the full Android experience without any bloatware, a promise many other phone makers can’t make.
In my time with the Nokia X6, I had a satisfying experience without any jitters or lag in the software, similar to my experience with the Nokia 7 Plus, my daily driver for the past couple of months. All apps, camera, settings, and animations are responsive, providing a robust user experience.
As a fervent advocate of the pure, unaltered Android experience, my recent exploration of the China ROM on the Nokia X6 has piqued my interest in the potential integration of some of its supplementary functionalities into Android One devices. Specifically, features like gestures or face unlock, which have yet to grace the Android One platform, would undoubtedly enhance user experience.
While this remains a hopeful aspiration, the reality is that third-party applications offer avenues to replicate similar functionalities, should HMD Global opt not to incorporate them.
In addition to feature considerations, HMD Global’s commitment to providing two years of software upgrades (including the imminent arrival of Android P) and three years of security patches further bolsters the appeal of their devices.
Cameras
In the optics department, Nokia X6 features a dual rear-facing camera setup comprising a 16MP primary sensor and a 5MP depth sensor with EIS. The front-facing camera boasts a 16MP sensor paired with an f/2.0 lens.
The rear camera captures images with decent clarity, justifying its price tag. The overall structure is good and photos are sharp, although color reproduction is inconsistent, sometimes appearing saturated and other times washed out.
Notably, the images may require post-processing for social media use.
Regarding low-light photography, the Nokia X6 falls short. While the dual-rear camera highlights the subject, it suffers from unacceptable noise levels. Additionally, some photos exhibit noticeable graininess.
The front camera of the Nokia X6 captures good photos, emphasizing the subject without heavy software alterations. The images are well-lit and pleasant.
Portrait mode performance on the Nokia X6 is inconsistent.
Most devices have inaccurate edge detection and inconsistent blurring. Yet, the Nokia X6’s edge detection is mostly accurate, while its blurring is highly unstable on the rear camera. This inconsistency persists in portrait mode on the front camera. Despite its capability to capture excellent bokeh images, you might feel inclined to take additional shots for perfection.
Telephony and Audio
After spending almost a week with the Nokia X6, I can confidently affirm that its calling experience is excellent. The earpiece volume is sufficient, ensuring clear communication without network disruptions. The Nokia X6 supports dual-SIM with dual-4G standby, enabling simultaneous usage of Airtel 4G and Reliance Jio SIM cards for both calls and data.
Regarding the speakers, there’s only one positioned at the bottom next to the USB Type-C charging port. This placement isn’t optimal, easily getting muffled when lying down or gaming in landscape mode. Front-facing stereo speakers, found in devices like Google Pixels or Razer Phones, are becoming increasingly rare, leaving us to settle for mono speakers.
Not saying the Nokia X6 speaker is bad. It’s pretty loud and enjoyable for rocking out to Linkin Park’s “In the End” and NF’s “Therapy Session.” However, the sound can be tinny or hollow at high volumes, drowning out vocals. You can rely on the 3.5mm headphone jack for better sound.
Battery
The Nokia X6 comes with a moderate 3,060mAh battery. It may not sound like much, but the device easily lasted me a whole day with medium-high usage. I got close to 6-7 hours of screen-on time, with about 20% battery remaining, which seems like decent backup.
At concerts or weddings, the Nokia X6’s battery should endure, even under heavy use. Moreover, it supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology, replenishing 10% to 60% in just 35 minutes.
This means you’ll quickly get the needed charge without waiting long.
HMD Global chose USB Type-C over microUSB, a notable decision distinguishing the Nokia X6 from budget alternatives like Xiaomi.
Nokia X6: Aiming for Uniqueness
If you ask whether to buy the Nokia X6, my immediate response is yes. However, remember Nokia phones come at a premium. You’ll pay extra for the glass body, stock Android, and the brand itself, but compromise on camera quality. Yet, you’ll enjoy timely Android updates, which is a significant advantage.
If your budget can’t reach Rs 20,000, consider the Redmi Note 5 Pro (Rs 14,999) for a complete package with fluid performance and improved cameras. Alternatively, the Asus ZenFone Max Pro (starts at Rs 10,999) offers the same processor, a larger battery, and stock Android, though camera quality may be lacking.
Pros:
- Premium glass design
- Optimized for one-handed use
- Fast fingerprint scanner
- Supports quick charging
- Delivers an Android One experience
Cons:
- Slippery & attracts fingerprints
- Camera performance is average
- Speaker quality could be improved
Nokia X6 Review: The Notch Era Begins
HMD Global takes a familiar path with the Nokia X6, yet it garners considerable attention for its budget-friendly offering. Boasting a premium design and impressive performance, the Nokia X6 shines, unless you prioritize mobile photography. Despite potential shortcomings in this area, updates may enhance camera quality. Share your thoughts on the latest Nokia device in the comments below.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
