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Nokia 6.1 has Android One, takes funky ‘Bothie’ pictures, and is yours for $270

The Nokia 6.1 now has direct access to Google Lens and Google Motion

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Nokia 6.1 smartphone
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Remember the Nokia 6 (2018) revealed at Mobile World Congress, and how it wasn’t drastically different from the Nokia 6 (2017) launched the year before? Good, because now HMD Global has added another Nokia 6 phone to the list, and the main alteration relates to the name and where it will be sold. This is the Nokia 6.1, and here’s everything you need to know.

Updates

The latest: The Nokia 6.1 will be getting camera improvements that include Google Lens, Google Motion, and more

The Nokia 6.1 — along with the Nokia 8 Sirocco and Nokia 7 Plus — will be getting some significant camera upgrades for free. Chief among these upgrades is the addition of more Google functionality directly from the stock camera app. Users will now be able to look up information and identify objects with Google Lens, and share videos on social media as GIFs with Google Motion.

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HMD Global has also added more functions that should make users’ lives a little bit easier. With this new update, users will be able to change various elements of their photos without having to dive into menus, making it easier to change aspect ratio, shooting functions, and the intensity of effects like Beautify or Bokeh.

Design and display

If you were excited about the Nokia 6 (2018), you’ll be excited about this one too, because it’s practically identical. What do you get? An aluminum unibody with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display that has a 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution. This isn’t a bezel-less phone with an 18:9 aspect ratio — it sticks rigidly to tradition when it comes to the screen.

Specs and battery

Key Specs

  • CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
  • Memory: 3/4GB
  • Storage: 32/64GB
  • MicroSD storage: Up to 128GB
  • Screen size: 5.5 inches
  • Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
  • Battery: 3,000mAh
  • Size: 148.8 x 75.8 x 8.2 mm
  • Weight: 172g (6.07oz)
  • Operating system: Android 8.1 Oreo

A Snapdragon 630 processor powers the phone, which gives the phone good midrange grunt, and should be a substantial upgrade from the Snapdragon 430 found in last year’s Nokia 6. You’ll find two versions of the Nokia 6.1 on the market: one with 3GB/32GB and the other with 4GB/64GB. That seems a little on the small side for modern phones, but no matter which you pick, you’ll be able to use a MicroSD card to expand that space by an additional 128GB.

Bluetooth 5.0 is loaded up, with all the additional features that brings  — and you’ll even find NFC on here, allowing for easy contactless payments by Google Pay.

You should be able to get a good day’s worth of performance out of the Nokia 6.1, as it’s equipped with a hefty 3,000mAh battery, and while there’s no wireless charging, there’s fast-charging with a USB Type-C port.

Software and special features

One of our favorite features of the new Nokia 6.1 is Android One. By including this almost stock version of Google’s Android operating system, the phone will receive timely version and security updates, and won’t be hobbled by masses of bloatware. It’s a major selling point for Nokia’s 2018 range of phones.

Camera

The camera on the back has a single 16-megapixel lens, and around front is an 8-megapixel camera. Using Nokia’s Dual-Sight feature, you can take a picture with both cameras at the same time. Not surprisingly, these are called Bothies, and they’re way more fun that you may expect.

As of August 23 2018, users will also have access to Google Lens and Google Motion directly from their Nokia 6.1’s camera app.

Release date and availability

The Nokia 6 was given a European price and confirmed release at MWC, without much noise about the United States. The Nokia 6.1 is going to be sold in the U.S. through Best Buy and Amazon for $270 — a far cheaper price than what you get when converting over the 280 euro price of the Nokia 6.  You can read our findings in our Nokia 6.1 review.

Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen
Former Mobile Evergreen Editor
Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient &…
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