The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect mid-tier phone and don’t mind a little extra heft to your mobile phone, the Nokia 7 plus is a solid option with virtually no downsides.What's good
- Great display contrast
- Excellent, reassuring build quality
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- microSD or dual SIM support
- Generous onboard storage
- Android One
- 1.5+ day battery
What's bad
- No waterproofing
- Weak low-light camera performance and HDR
With its chunky design and copper accents, the Nokia 7 plus breaks the design mold stereotypes of modern smartphones while still allowing for some much-needed updates to the Nokia formula. But is it good enough to justify the mid-tier price? The spec sheets suggest that it has the chops to compete with the best of the mid-tier market, but that doesn’t always mean it works out in daily use.
Much like the smaller Nokia 6 (2018), their latest release sports an all-metal aluminum unibody design with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and copper accents along the edges. The rear of the phone also includes a grippy ceramic coating that reviewers loved. It’s grippy enough to save it from accidental drops, but not enough too feel odd or collect dust and dirt. While it’s available in two colors -- white and black -- reviewers all preferred the look of the black model as the matte finish contrasted well with the pop of the copper edges.
Around front, you’re greeted by a 6-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD panel. This is also the first Nokia release to support the slimmer 18:9 aspect ratio found on many newer flagship phones. Reviewers found the colors slightly oversaturated and cold but otherwise loved the panel. By using a polarizing layer, Nokia also achieved inky blacks that rivaled those of other phones sporting pricier OLED panels.
As one of the first phones to sport the octa-core 2.2GHz Snapdragon 660 processor with 4GB of RAM, the Nokia 7 plus wowed reviewers with performance. It had zero problems playing the latest games, bouncing between apps, or recording 4k video. In benchmarks, few mid-tier options could go toe-to-toe with it.
With 64GB of internal storage and microSD support for cards up to 256GB, you’ll have plenty of room to put all that performance to good use. Just keep in mind, if you spring for the dual-SIM variant, you must choose between an extra line or extra storage.
The software on the phone is pure stock Android 8.1 Oreo. Reviewers found the software bland but rock solid -- typical for stock Android. And as an Android One device, you’ll enjoy 2 years of updates and fast security patches -- both proof that the phone should age gracefully.
The cameras on the phone were also impressive for the mid-tier market. The dual-lens rear camera includes a 12MP wide-angle lens and 13MP telephoto lens along with phase detection autofocus and a two-tone flash. Overall, reviewers felt the camera performed well in good lighting -- though many noted it accented greens and blues. Also, like most of its mid-tier competitors, results varied in low light.
The dual lens setup allows for a true optical 2x zoom and also powers the phone’s bokeh portrait mode. Apart from the occasional ear out of focus, reviewers felt the phone’s approach to this popular feature worked well. The same applies to the front-facing 16MP selfie shooter.
The real star of most reviews is the phone’s 3,800mAh battery with USB Type-C Quick Charge 3.0 support. Good for 1.5 to 2 days of use on a single charge, you should have little worry of running out of juice at the wrong time. However, even with the beefy power cell, the phone only takes about 90 minutes to charge.
Reviewers all agreed the Nokia 7 plus is one of the most compelling releases yet from the new Nokia brand. Many even called it one of the best mid-tier phones of 2018 so far. Android Authority says, “The Nokia 7 Plus is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone with a very capable specifications sheet, no-frills Android experience, and good-looking chassis. You’d be hard-pressed to find a flaw with this device, really.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Dan Carter, CoolsmartphoneWith a price of £349 SIM free and unlocked, the Nokia 7 Plus is a good buy for a lot of people, especially if you want a Pixel-like software experience without the hefty price tag that comes with it.
- TechNaveQuite a good phone for day to day use especially when you’re constantly multitasking and switching between apps on the fly. Not only that, it also takes decent pictures provided it is in a well lit environment. I would say that this device is suitable for users who prefer a more straightforward and...
- Chris Hall, Pocket-lintFrom its solid design to a large display and capable camera, the Nokia 7 Plus is a great mid-range device. Similar spec competitors exist at this price, but with its 2x zoom option the Nokia has an interesting edge.
- Scott Plowman, AusdroidIf you are in the market for a new phone, one that does not cost an arm and a leg but still offers a great software experience while still looking great then you could do a lot worse than grabbing yourself a Nokia 7 Plus. This phone is a mid-range phone with high end performance in most areas.
- Anuj Bhandari, GadgetbyteThe Nokia 7 Plus is a high-end mid-range smartphone that ticks a lot of boxes. Although it faces an issue of its battery not living up to its mark, the device is an impressive piece of hardware that has cut no corners in the performance and software department.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Nokia 7 Plus user manual here.
Nokia backs up the 7 Plus with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your 7 Plus has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nokia support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nokia's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Nokia 7 Plus Manual (PDF)
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