New Phones Coming Out Nokia X

2:40 PM

After a 2013 that saw the rise of low-cost smartphones, the trend will amplify in 2014. A cake that continues to grow so, and envied by many. Starting with Nokia has taken a rather drastic decision to try to scrounge parts: release a mobile Android. The Finn has not changed sides so far and continues to actively support its Lumia range. But he decided to interpose between this range Lumia and Asha range a third family of products, Android. Here we test the most basic of the three models announced, Nokia X.

The newcomer features a WVGA IPS display (800 x 480 px) 4 inch, double-heart 200 chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 1GHz, 512MB RAM, 4GB of internal memory (+ microSD), a battery of 1500 mAh and a photo sensor 3.15 megapixels capable of shooting 480p. Connectivity side, this is still pretty basic as dual-SIM smartphone that shows compatible with 3G + (HSDPA 7.2 Mb / s and HSUPA 5.76 Mb / s), GPS (A-GPS) Bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi b / g / n. The overview shows the dimensions of 115.5 x 63 x 10.4 mm to 129 g, and runs a heavily modified version of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Ergonomics and design

Nokia X is halfway between the Asha range and Lumia range both in terms of price positioning and design requirements. The smartphone that we test here indeed offers the same kind of look that many Windows Phone manufacturer. The lines are clean, corners fairly rounded and fairly wide choice of colors, with a predominance of bright colors. In all, the product is marketed in six different colors: black, white, yellow, green, red and blue. Note that it is possible to change it later, as the entire back and sides of the unit consists of a single colored block. So just buy another of these blocks to completely change the color of Nokia X. A good initiative for something different then, especially as these accessories will be offered at quite reasonable rates, between 10 and 15 € according to our information.

New Phones Coming Out Nokia X

This is the radius of the ergonomics that this smartphone is based on the Asha range as merely a single key (sensitive) under its screen. We will return later. For the rest, in which the plastic is machined mobile is good enough, even if one side gives a little "toy". This impression is, however, offset by the weight of 129 g, enough therefore for a product of this size. Overall, the X off a good impression of solidity. His grip is excellent and it is easy to handle with one hand, the scope covering the entire surface of the screen.

New Phones Coming Out Nokia X

The display unit is a LCD 4-inch IPS panel for a WVGA resolution of 800 x 480 px, with a fairly honorable record for this type of product. Lab measurements reveal a Delta E of 4.6, a contrast ratio of 1117:1 and a brightness to 320 cd / m². Mean values therefore. Pity that the color temperature is bad however, to 10,243 Kelvin. Suddenly, the display tends to pull the blue. As the density of 233 pixels per inch, it makes it difficult to comfortably enjoy content high in text, such as for example Web pages. In the same tariff zone screen Huawei Ascend Y300 done better with a Delta E 4.1 correct, a very good maximum brightness 758 cd / m and above all a near perfect color temperature to 6583 Kelvin.

Interface and Navigation

If X is a Nokia smartphone landmark in the history of mobile phones, it is not for design or for technical specifications, but because it is the first Nokia running Android. However, the manufacturer has really done everything possible to ensure that the system developed by Google operating system is less apparent possible. In fact, the Finn proceeded in the same way as Amazon with its Fire OS. He grabbed the Android OS - here in version 4.1.2 Jelly Bean - while getting rid of all Google applications. It is precisely for this pack apps that other manufacturers of Android smartphones and tablets pay royalties to the Mountain View company. Nokia therefore take this OS without paying a dime. Obviously, the manufacturer has replaced its home apps, as well as Microsoft, all Google services.

New Phones Coming Out Nokia X

As mentioned above , everything seems to have been implemented to cover the interface of Android as we know it on other machines. Nokia operates by its own user interface , inspired also visually that Windows Phone with a strict geometric organization, based on resizable icons into squares or rectangles only. We thus find a single home screen that scrolls vertically. Said screen is used by both desktop and menu for applications. It is also possible to place above the widgets or create folders of apps. The novelty comes from Fastlane function , which appears when the user scrolls to the left or right of the home screen. It absolutely quite innovative menu displays all the latest actions of the user. You open an e -mail , respond to a text message, listening to a song , consult a web page, this action will leave a trace in Fastlane . So it is very easy to go back to what you were doing previously . Overall, it takes a little time to get used to adapt the user interface of Nokia X , which may even seem off-putting at first. However, once the habit and after a week of use, we begin to appreciate ... even if it is not without flaws.