The best Nokia phones in 2024: Affordable, functional handsets with a hint of nostalgia

Nokia XR20 Review
(Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

The best Nokia phones really do exist, despite what many believe. The association of Nokia phones with being primarily cheap burner phones with brick-like builds that were ubiquitous in the early 2000s is misleading, as some of the latest Nokia smartphones are actually superb at keeping up with the latest advancements in flagship phone technology, and are even manufactured to be ultra eco-friendly.

Nokia re-entered the mobile phone market in 2016, through the formation of the Finnish company HMD, and became competitive once again, with its new range of sophisticated Android smartphones. Today, while even the best Nokia phones don't match up to the top-quality Apple iPhones or Samsung Galaxy phones, they still have a lot to offer if you're looking for a smartphone that costs under a grand.

With that in mind, this article brings together our picks of the best Nokia smartphones available today, at a range of budgets that include the latest releases to the cheaper and more rugged smartphones. We'll walk you through the main differences between these devices, and give you the information you need to choose between them for yourself or to gift to a loved one.

The best Nokia phones in 2024

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Nokia 8.3 phone (Image credit: Nokia)

1. Nokia 8.3

The best Nokia phone that we recommend

Specifications

Release date: March 2020
Android version: 10, but upgradable to Android 12
Screen size: 6.81 inches
Screen resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 4,500mAh
Rear camera: 64MP + 12MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 24MP
Weight: 220g
Dimensions: 171.9 x 78.6 x 9mm

Reasons to buy

+
Supports 5G 
+
64MP camera 
+
Reasonably priced

Reasons to avoid

-
Only Android 10 installed but is upgradable to Android 12

The Nokia 8.3 is our clear choice as the best Nokia phone you can buy today. Firstly, because it has a lovely camera, and secondly because despite being one of the priciest models on our list, it’s still nicely affordable.

The rear camera is by far the best that Nokia has to offer right now, featuring a 64MP f/1.9 main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with an aperture of f/2.2, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. The 24MP front camera captures good-quality selfies and works well on video calls too, assisted by Zeiss optics in each lens.

The Nokia 8.3 is significantly bigger than the average smartphone, which means that screen protectors and cases aren't as easy to come by. On the plus side, the greater surface area makes room for a generous-sized 6.81-inch LCD screen, boasting 1080 x 2400 resolution. In terms of storage, 64GB is a fraction of what you'll get on a top-end phone, but should still be enough for most people’s needs. 

The 4,500mAh battery of the Nokia 8.3 is pretty capable and should get you through an entire day, unless you're doing some intense video streaming. Overall, this is not the best phone on the market by any means. But if you’re looking for a high-end experience, a decent camera, and 5G at a fraction of the price of a new iPhone, Samsung, or Google Pixel phone, the 8.3 offers excellent value for money.

Nokia X30 5G (Image credit: beth Nicholls)
The best mid-range Nokia phone that's eco-friendly

Specifications

Release date: September 2022
Android version: 12 (latest)
Screen size: 6.43 inches
Screen resolution: 1080 x2400 pixels
RAM: 6GB/8GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB
Battery: 4,200 mAh
Rear camera: 50MP + 13MP
Front camera: 16MP
Weight: 185g
Dimensions: 158.9 x 73.9 x 8 mm

Reasons to buy

+
Eco-friendly design with 100% recycled aluminum frame and packaging
+
PureView AI photography with 50MP OIS Camera and Capture Fusion technology
+
High-quality ultrawide-angle images

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the best camera unit compared to others on this list
-
Doesn't include a power adapter (USB type-C)
-
Camera quality doesn't match Samsung or iPhone

The Nokia X30 5G is a great all-rounder and a bargain price for what the device can do. The camera system includes a main 50-megapixel f/1.8 lens that performs superbly in both daylight and darker scenes with advanced AI camera features such as Dark Vision and Portrait AI, and Capture Fusion technology. The video quality produced is pretty good too, with spatial audio. 

The operating system on this device is running the latest Android 12, so there are plenty of compatible apps and software which you can download, with no task that you can't throw at it with the options of either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and power from the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset. 

Described as one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly smartphones around, the Nokia X30 5G is made almost entirely from recycled materials, so there's no excuse for other manufacturers not to follow suit, pushing the limits of smartphone life expectancy, especially with Nokia's 3-3-3 promise which you can learn more about in our full phone review of the Nokia X30 5G. 

Nokia 7.2 phone (Image credit: Nokia)

3. Nokia 7.2

The best mid-range Nokia phone that's super cheap

Specifications

Release date: September 2019
Android version: 9, upgradable to Android 11
Screen size: 6.3 inches
Screen resolution: 1080 x 2280 pixels
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 3,500mAh
Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 5MP
Front camera: 20MP
Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3mm

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable price
+
Good looking design
+
48MP sensor

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the best battery

The Nokia 7.2 has a lot to offer for the small price of around $200/£200. The 48MP main camera sensor is one of the key selling points of this smartphone, coupling an 8MP ultrawide camera with a 5MP depth sensor. The front camera is 20MP, and again, all of these cameras benefit from integrated Zeiss optics. 

The 6.3-inch LCD screen provides 1080 x 2280 resolution and bright, crisp visuals, with a Gorilla Glass coating on the front and back, and a frosted finish on the rear. The Nokia 7.2 boasts a premium-looking design that makes it look more expensive than it actually is, and the 3,500mAh battery will probably keep you going all day if you’re not doing anything too power-intensive.

Overall this mid-range Nokia smartphone is a great choice for those who only need the basics, with a decent camera system and modern operating system that can handle multitasking on multiple apps and keep you going with stable battery life. 

(Image credit: Nokia)

4. Nokia 2760 Flip

Future-proof burner phone with VoLTE

Specifications

Network: 4G
Battery standby time: 18 days standby
Battery talk time: 3.4 hours talk
Screen: 2.8-in, 240x320 pixel + 160 x 128 on door
Camera: 5MP camera
Dimensions: 110 mm x 19.5 mm x 58 mm
Weight: 136g
Storage: 4GB

Reasons to buy

+
VoLTE 4G
+
Cost effective
+
Hearing aid compatible

Reasons to avoid

-
No hotspot
-
Limited storage
-
Tracfone customer service

Nokia hasn’t let go of the flip phone or KaiOS, which means they’re keeping designs fresh, but this is – more than anything – a low-cost handset, available at under $20 in some places. Despite that, it has a 5MP camera, and screens inside and out. There is also a headphone jack and support for not only Bluetooth 4.2 but M4/T4 hearing aids too. 

If you’re looking for a long life in the field, then the phone has a swappable battery. This is especially handy in the 4G era (call time is never as high on the more modern networks; 3.4hr talk rather than 7.3 on 3G). We also appreciate the arrival of a USB-C connection as well as the 3.5mm headphone jack. There is also little bloatware, though Youtube, Google Browser and Maps are there. Walmart sells this with Tracfone, but we’ve not heard the best about its customer service.

Nokia XR20 (Image credit: Beth Nicholls)
The best ulta-rugged Nokia phone

Specifications

Release date: July 2021
Android version: 11, upgradable to Android 12
Screen size: 6.67 inches
Screen resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels
RAM: 4GB/6GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB
Battery: 4,630 mAh
Rear camera: 48MP + 13MP
Front camera: 8MP
Weight: 248g
Dimensions: 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm

Reasons to buy

+
The battery can last up to 3 days
+
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8 meters and MIL-STD-810H compliant
+
IP68 dust/water resistant

Reasons to avoid

-
A bit heavy 
-
No power adapter included
-
Disappointing camera

This rugged phone from Nokia is designed to be indestructible, with military-grade drop-proof protection as well as being able to withstand being submerged in water as deep as 1.5 meters for up to one hour, as well as being dust-proof. 

If you're a bit of an adventurer, need a phone that's suitable for regular camping, or happen to work in the trade industry or around a construction site, then the Nokia XR20 just might be the best Nokia phone for you. Aside from being ultra-rugged and sturdy, this device has a pretty good camera unit too, with a main 48MP camera. 

This phone is also included as part of Nokia's 3-3-3 promise which involves full coverage and a guarantee that this smartphone will be up to scratch until at least the rollout of Android 15 in roughly three years' time. Nokia pledges that the company will cover 3 years of security patches, monthly security updates, and OS updates, on all its latest devices, plus include a 3-year manufacturer warranty also. Read our full Nokia XR20 review.

Nokia 1.4 phone (Image credit: Nokia)

6. Nokia 1.4

The best and cheapest Nokia phone

Specifications

Release date: February 2021
Android version: 10
Screen size: 6.52 inches
Screen resolution: 720 x 1600
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 16GB
Battery: 4.000mAh
Rear camera: 8MP + 2MP
Front camera: 5MP
Weight: 178g
Dimensions: 166.4 x 76.7 x 8.7mm

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap
+
Good battery
+
Okay camera

Reasons to avoid

-
Slow to charge

Short of cash for a new phone? Then this is where Nokia really comes into its own. For less than $120 / £100, you can pick up a smartphone running Android 10 and with a decent (4.000mAh) battery, in the form of the Nokia 1.4.

Released this February, the Nokia 1.4 comes with a sizeable 6.51-inch, 20:9 aspect screen. This serves up a 720 x 1600 resolution, which is lower than the first two phones on our list, but still good enough for most people’s needs. 

It’s a similar story with photography. The 1.4’s dual camera setup, with an 8MP main sensor and 2MP macro sensor, means you’re not going to get high quality, detailed pictures. But for quick shots to share with friends or on social media, it’s perfectly acceptable. 

The biggest compromises with this phone are the miserly 1GB RAM, which means it runs slowly, and that it charges by micro USB rather than the USB-C, which means it takes a long time to power up. But overall, you’ll still struggle to find a better phone at this price, from any brand on the market today.

Nokia 225 phone (Image credit: Nokia)

7. Nokia 225

The best Nokia feature phone

Specifications

Release date: July 2019
Android version: N/A
Screen size: 2.4 inches
Screen resolution: 240 x 320
RAM: N/A
Storage: N/A
Battery: 1200mAh
Rear camera: 0.3MP
Front camera: None
Weight: 186.5g
Dimensions: 121.3 x 52.9 x 13.4mm

Reasons to buy

+
Super-cheap
+
Stops internet addiction

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited web access
-
Low-res camera

You might think there’s no way to beat the price of number 3 on our list, the Nokia 1.4. And it’s true that this is the cheapest Nokia smartphone on our list. But if you’re really stuck for cash, there’s always the alternative option of a feature phone.

A feature phone is a cheap mobile phone that lacks the functionality of a smartphone, but can connect to the internet and perform some basic tasks. And the best Nokia feature available today is the strikingly affordable Nokia 225.

What can you do with it? Well, for a start you can make voice calls (remember them?) and send texts. You can surf the internet (slowly and painfully) with the Opera Mini browser, which is specially coded for low-powered phones... although only via mobile internet, not Wi-Fi. 

You can also play some simple games, listen to music that you’ve preloaded onto a memory card, or tune in to FM radio. You can take some pictures with the 0.3MP camera for reference, although they won’t be good enough quality to share online. And that’s pretty much your lot

In short, anyone who’s grown up with smartphones, and has never experienced a feature phone, will find the Nokia 225 maddenly restrictive. If, however, you’re trying to wean yourself off internet addiction, and want a phone that’s almost exclusively for calls and texting, then this is a great (and cheap) option.

Nokia 5.4 phone (Image credit: Nokia)

8. Nokia 5.4

Cheap Nokia phone with a high-res camera

Specifications

Release date: December 2020
Android version: 10
Screen size: 6.39 inches
Resolution: 720 x 1560
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 4.000mAh
Rear camera: 48MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP
Weight: 181g
Dimensions: 161 x 76 x 8.7mm

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable price
+
48MP main camera
+
16MP selfie camera

Reasons to avoid

-
Photography not great in practice

The Nokia 5.4 is another good choice for anyone who’s watching the pennies, but wants a modern and capable smartphone. 

This smartphone runs Android 10, comes with a 4,000mAh battery, which should get you through a day’s normal use, and its 6.55-inch IPS LCD screen offers a “good enough” resolution of 720 x 1560. And the icing on the cake: its quad-lens camera comprises 48MP standard sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide sensor, a 2MP macro sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. 

Be warned, though: those specs make the camera sound more impressive than it is, and it doesn't capture particularly good images in practice. That said, as long as you have good lighting conditions, you should be able to get reasonably decent shots. The 16MP selfie camera on the front is pretty capable too.

In short, this is a solid, if slightly flawed budget choice from Nokia. Yes, there are compromises, but at such a low price you may well find them acceptable.

Nokia 2.4 phone (Image credit: Nokia)

9. Nokia 2.4

Worth considering if you're strapped for cash

Specifications

Release date: September 2020
Android version: 10
Screen size: 6.5 inches
Resolution: 720 x 1600
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 32GB
Battery: 4.500mAh
Rear camera: 48MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP
Weight: 195g
Dimensions: 165.9 x 76.3 x 8.7mm

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap
+
Powerful battery

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited camera
-
Runs slowly

Another 2020 release, the Nokia 2.4 offers a lot of good things for a very low price. These include a powerful 4,500mAh battery and a 6.5 inch LCD screen with 720 x 1600 resolution. However, as you’re paying around two-thirds the price of the previous phone on our list, the Nokia 5.4, there are an inevitable compromises in terms of capabilities. 

So you get just a dual-lens camera, a 13MP main sensor twinned with a 2MP depth sensor, and a 5MP selfie camera on the front. You get half as much storage, at 32GB, and perhaps most strikingly, RAM slumps to just 2GB and the processor is less advanced too. That means this is phone is going to run pretty slowly in practice. Still, if the price is right, you may find these limitations worth the cost saving.

(Image credit: Nokia)

10. Nokia 110 4G

Great looking retro design

Specifications

Release date: June 2021
Network: 4G
Battery standby time: 21.7 days
Battery talk time: 19.4 hours
Screen: 1.8-inch LCD 160x120
Camera: 0.3MP camera
Dimensions: 121 x 50 x 14.5mm
Weight: 75g
Storage: Memory 8Gb + microSD

Reasons to buy

+
Great product design
+
Long battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Screen
-
4G uses battery faster
-
Not the cheapest option

This handset is available in striking yellow, cyan or a sightly more respectable black, but whichever look you choose you’re getting a 4G-capable device. That means international borders aren’t a concern as Voice-Over-LTE (the replacement technology for 2G voice) is supported. FM radio and internet are also available (and loading pages is quicker than an old 2G burner), and there is 48GB of on-board memory – expandable by MicroSD card

Nokia 3.4 phone (Image credit: Nokia)

11. Nokia 3.4

A budget Nokia phone that offers good value overall

Specifications

Release date: September 2020
Android version: 10
Screen size: 6.39 inches
Resolution: 720 x 1560
RAM: 3GB
Storage: 32GB
Battery: 4,000mAh
Rear camera: 13MP + 5MP + 2MP
Front camera: 8MP
Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 161 x 76 x 8.7mm

Reasons to buy

+
Three rear cameras
+
Decent battery

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks processing power

Sitting in between the previous two phones on our list in terms of price, the Nokia 3.4 offers a nice balance between cost and capabilities. The 6.39-inch LCD screen provides strong colors, good contrast and acceptable levels of brightness, at a resolution of 720 x 1560. 

In terms of performance, it’s 4,000mAH battery provides strong battery life, but with only 3GB of RAM, it runs a little more slowly than most of the phones on this list. It runs especially slowly once you fill up the limited 32GB of inbuilt storage. That said, as long as you don’t expect too much from the Nokia 3.4, it does represent good value considering the low price.

The camera has three sensors: a 13MP main sensor, a 5MP sensor ultra-wide, and a 2MP depth sensor. However, in practice, the images it captures are less than good, even in strong light. If photography is important to you, then, it’s worth spending a little bit more on something like the Nokia 5.4 (fifth on our list).

Nokia 6.2 (Image credit: Nokia)

12. Nokia 6.2

A cheap alternative to the Nokia 7.2

Specifications

Release date: October 2019
Android version: 9
Screen size: 6.3 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2280
RAM: 3GB
Storage: 32GB
Battery: 3,500mAh
Rear camera: 16MP + 8MP + 5MP
Front camera: 8MP
Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.3mm

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable price
+
Cheaper than the 7.2

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as fast as the 7.2
-
Less good camera than the 7.2

The Nokia 6.2 is a mid-priced Nokia phone that’s very similar to the Nokia 7.2, number two on our list. Released within a month of each other, they have the same dimensions, they weigh the same; they have the same screen, the same battery and run the same operating system. They both have three-lens cameras which include a 8MP ultrawide sensor and a 5MP depth sensor

One big difference is that the Nokia 6.2 runs a slightly older processor, and has just 3GB RAM to the 7.2’s 4GB. That means it’s going to run a bit slower in practice. The main difference, though, is the camera’s main sensor, which is 48MP on the 7.2 but only 16MP on the 6.2.

If you’re not bothered about the camera, though, and you’re a relaxed type of person who can take a slight hit on the processing speed, the slightly lower price of the Nokia 6.2 might make up for this.

Read more:
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Best camera phone
Best budget camera phones
• 
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• 
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• 
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• 
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• 
Best flip phones
Best phablets 

Tom May

Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specializing in art, photography, design and travel. He has been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. He has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including The Sun, Radio Times, NME, T3, Heat, Company and Bella.

With contributions from