Nokia 8 review: Solid, elegant and refined

The Nokia 8 comes with top of the line internals, Carl Zeiss optics on the front as well as the back, an all-metal design, 360 degree audio capture capabilities, stock Android out of the box and much more.

 

 

Nokia's comeback into the smartphone game has revolved around three key factors - design and build quality, stock Android and Nostalgia. Nokia is much more than just a mobile manufacturer - it is a company that millions across the world hold close to their heart. The Nokia 8 is not only the first high-end smartphone from Nokia in years but the first flagship smartphone from the Finnish company's stable to run on Android.
The current crop of Nokia smartphones - the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 are solid yet unassuming devices that look great, are built well and have fluid software but are unquestionably under powered and overpriced. The Nokia 8 is different. The phone has been priced extremely competitively and as a result has all the makings of a device that shakes things up and changes segment dynamics.
The Nokia 8 comes with top of the line internals, Carl Zeiss optics on the front as well as the back, an all-metal design, 360 degree audio capture capabilities, stock Android out of the box and much more. With the Nokia 8, HMD Global aims to compete with the likes of the OnePlus 5, LG G6 and the recently launched Xiaomi Mi Mix 2. Is Nokia's first flagship smartphone in years a homerun? Or is it a Windows Phone-esque disaster? Let's find out:

Classy, understated design

Let's get one thing out of the way first. The Nokia 8 is about so much more than just Nostalgia - it is not a one trick pony completely reliant on the Nokia tune to trigger some buried memory in your mind. The smartphone has solid specifications, a bright and punchy display, impressive cameras that deliver great image quality (while taking their sweet time admittedly) and a classic Scandinavian design.
But I am getting ahead of myself here. Let's break things down and delve into each aspect of the smartphone in detail. Let's talk about the classy and understated design first.
Carved out a single block of series 6000 aluminum, the Nokia 8 does not break any new ground when it comes to its design but every smartphone does not need to. The phone looks classy and refined - very Scandinavian so as to speak. Not loud, not garish - just elegant. This phone is not for those who want their devices to stand out from the crowd - this is for those who prefer businesses-like elegance over unnecessary gloss.

The Nokia 8 has all the makings of a phone that shakes things up and changes segment dynamics

The antenna lines are cleverly integrated into the top and bottom of the rear panel which also houses the vertically mounted dual camera setup with the Carl Zeiss branding. The all-glass front houses the Nokia logo on the top-right, the 5.3-inch screen in the middle and capacitive keys for home, back and multi-tasking on the bottom
The slim 7.9mm chassis, rounded sides and curved edges of the Nokia 8 aid in-hand feel and make the phone a delight to hold in the hand. Just like the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6, the Nokia 8 feels incredibly solid and sturdy. HMD Global must be given credit for constructing phones with tank-like durability. Ergonomics are also on point - everything falls to hand easily. No quirky fingerprint sensor location to be found here.