5 of the best Nokia phones of all time, according to users

The best Nokia phones dominated a very different era than the one we live in today with smartphones. In the past, choosing a phone meant paying a lot of attention to its design, as there were compact devices, physical keyboards, different appearances and ambitious cameras. It is in this market that the Finnish manufacturer has earned the respect of many users, offering phones that even today bring a warm sense of nostalgia to an entire generation of people.

Later, the rise of iOS and Android revealed Nokia’s difficulties in keeping up with the changing mobile phone market. The company’s bet on Windows Phone also failed to restore it to its former glory, leading the company to sell its mobile phone division to Microsoft in 2014. HMD later licensed the brand and launched devices to compete with other affordable phone brands, in a deal that included some former Nokia executives but was separate from the original manufacturer.

Even though Nokia is no longer a major player in the mobile phone field, many of its devices remain fondly remembered by those who used them. It is for this reason that we have selected the five best phones of the company, based mainly on the opinions of users who have had experience with the brand’s devices over different generations.

Few phones have left their mark on a generation as much as the Nokia 3310, which many consider to be the brand’s most iconic phone. However, in the United States this experience was linked to the 3390, which is its American variant. The design of the two phones was similar, but the frequencies changed, since the 3310 operated on GSM 900 and 1800 MHz, while the 3390 used 1900 MHz to support local networks.

According to users, one of the phone’s most memorable qualities was its durability, which was even one of the reasons why people continued to use it after more sophisticated devices arrived. For many, the phone would continue to work even after several drops directly onto concrete – which is unlikely with current models. Furthermore, even if the case were to come off, simply put it back on and the phone would work normally again.

These experiments contributed to the Nokia 3310’s reputation for indestructibility, but in addition to its durability, the device also offered interchangeable cases and games such as “Snake II” and “Space Impact.” Features like these seem simple today, but at the time they were an incredible novelty – and although the relationship between Nokia and HMD changed the way the devices were produced, this Nokia line is fondly remembered.

Launched in 2007, the Nokia N95 8GB showed at the time how a phone could combine the functions of multiple devices into a single product. At the time, it had a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and 8GB of storage. A 2.8-inch screen complemented the phone’s internals, and the overall design was intended to allow users to take photos, listen to music, or even check the map while traveling.

Another memorable feature of this phone was its two-way sliding mechanism. On one side you had the number pad, while on the other side you had the media playback controls. The device also had a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that many smartphones have abandoned today. This combination made the N95 an interesting phone for anyone at the time who was considering a dedicated MP3 player.

Some users describe the N95 as a Swiss army knife, since it did almost everything media related. But it was also a favorite among many other users: the device brought together a very interesting set of tools in a format that fit in your pocket. This is something that seems common with today’s smartphones, but at the time, few mobile phones were this good.

One of the Nokia E71’s biggest bets was the use of a full QWERTY keyboard to make typing messages or composing emails easier. Although they are rarer, some devices you can buy still come with a physical keyboard. Additionally, the stainless steel finish of the backplate gives the device a sleek look, while its narrow shape still allowed it to be used with one or two hands.

This combination appealed to people who were starting to use their mobile devices for work, with many owners praising the ease of typing. The emphasis on productivity also showed up in email access through Microsoft Exchange, calendar and contact synchronization, and the ability to switch between home screens for business and personal use. The Nokia E71 also included features like Wi-Fi, 3G connectivity, GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus. In this way, the device functioned as both a work and entertainment tool.

One of the Nokia N8’s biggest strengths was its camera, featuring a 12-megapixel resolution paired with Carl Zeiss optics, a large sensor for the time, and a xenon flash. For comparison, the iPhone 4, which was one of its main competitors, only had a 5 megapixel camera and an LED flash. In fact, thanks to the more powerful flash, Nokia’s phone had an even greater advantage in dimly lit environments.

The photography experience also included a dedicated camera button, which allowed you to activate focus and capture the image without relying solely on the screen. The anodized aluminum body, available in different colors, was paired with a 3.5-inch AMOLED display, and the 16GB of internal storage (expandable with a microSD card) helped users view and store their photos.

In addition to photos, the N8 recorded HD video, although the Samsung Galaxy S II, launched around the same time, already offered 1080p recording. Even so, the phone allowed you to edit videos directly on the device and also had an HDMI connection for displaying images on the TV.

The Lumia 1020 was another phone with a good camera for its time. The device, launched in 2013, combined a then-massive 41-megapixel sensor with Zeiss optics, optical image stabilization (a rarity at the time), and a xenon flash. Its PureView technology also took advantage of this resolution to generate 5-megapixel photos with more detail and less noise, while also allowing the image to be cropped and cropped after capture. This way, you will be able to adjust its composition without needing to retake the photo or resort to digital zoom.

This Nokia model also came with an app that reinforced this emphasis on photography, as it allowed you to control ISO, white balance, and shutter speed, giving users the ability to adjust their photos manually. Additionally, the overall package also included a 4.5-inch AMOLED display, 32GB of storage, and Windows Phone operating system. In retrospect, for many users, the camera was the most legendary aspect of the Lumia 1020, although the delay between capturing one photo and the next made it less than ideal for action scenes.