The Nokia NX 5G immediately stands out with its distinctive design language that pays homage to Nokia’s rich heritage while looking decidedly modern. The device features a unibody aluminum frame with gently curved edges that make it comfortable to hold despite its substantial 6.6-inch display. At 7.8mm thick and weighing 189 grams, the NX strikes an excellent balance between solidity and portability.
True to Nokia’s reputation for rugged dependability, the NX 5G boasts an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, along with military-grade drop protection (MIL-STD-810H). The front and back are protected by Corning’s latest Gorilla Glass Armor, offering significantly improved shatter and scratch resistance compared to previous generations.
Perhaps most interesting is Nokia’s commitment to sustainability, with the NX featuring 85% recycled aluminum in its frame and recycled plastics comprising over 30% of the internal components. The packaging is 100% plastic-free, and HMD Global promises security updates for five years and OS updates for four years, extending the useful life of the device.
Available in four colors – Midnight Blue, Arctic Silver, Forest Green, and Sandstone Gold – the NX 5G presents a sophisticated appearance that avoids the flashy design elements found on many competing devices. The circular camera array on the rear serves as a visual centerpiece, housing the multi-lens system in a raised module that echoes classic Nokia designs while incorporating cutting-edge camera technology.
Nokia NX 5G Display Technology
The Nokia NX 5G features a 6.6-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels (QHD+). The panel supports adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 144Hz, intelligently adjusting based on content to balance fluidity and power efficiency. Peak brightness reaches an impressive 1,800 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight.
Color accuracy is exceptional, with the display covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color space and offering precise calibration out of the box. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support enhance compatible content with improved contrast and color depth. Nokia has implemented an under-display selfie camera, allowing for an uninterrupted viewing experience without a notch or punch-hole.
The display incorporates advanced eye protection features, including TÜV Rheinland certification for reduced blue light emission and flicker-free technology. An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is embedded within the display, providing fast and secure biometric authentication regardless of wet fingers or harsh lighting conditions.
Nokia NX 5G Performance and Hardware
At the heart of the Nokia NX 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, manufactured using a 3nm process. This octa-core processor delivers exceptional performance while maintaining power efficiency, featuring one prime Cortex-X4 core at 3.3GHz, four performance cores at 2.8GHz, and three efficiency cores at 2.0GHz.
The Adreno 750 GPU handles graphically intensive tasks with ease, supporting ray tracing in mobile games and delivering desktop-class gaming performance. Nokia has implemented an advanced vapor chamber cooling system that effectively dissipates heat during extended gaming sessions or when using processor-intensive applications.
Memory configurations include 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB, and 16GB/1TB variants, with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage ensuring rapid data access and smooth multitasking. Unlike many competitors, Nokia has retained the microSD card slot, allowing storage expansion up to an additional 1TB.
Connectivity options are comprehensive, with support for all major 5G bands, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC. The satellite connectivity feature enables emergency messaging even without cellular coverage, while the dual-frequency GPS system provides precision location tracking.
Nokia NX 5G Camera System
Photography has become a focal point for Nokia in recent years, and the NX 5G represents their most ambitious camera system to date. Developed in partnership with ZEISS, the quad-camera setup includes:
- A 50MP main camera with a large 1/1.12″ sensor, optical image stabilization, and an f/1.4 aperture
- A 48MP ultrawide camera with a 120-degree field of view and autofocus capability
- A 12MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and OIS
- A 5MP depth sensor for enhanced portrait effects
The camera system is complemented by a dedicated imaging processor that enables advanced computational photography features. These include enhanced night mode capabilities, AI-powered scene recognition, and “PureView HDR” – Nokia’s implementation of multi-frame HDR processing that captures and combines up to 12 frames for exceptional dynamic range.
Video capabilities are equally impressive, with 8K recording at 30fps, 4K at 120fps, and a cinematic mode that creates professional-looking depth effects. Nokia’s “OZO Audio” system uses the phone’s three microphones to capture spatial audio, enhancing the immersive quality of videos.
The under-display front camera, while technically impressive, offers slightly reduced image quality compared to traditional selfie cameras, with a 24MP sensor that leverages pixel-binning technology to deliver clearer images in various lighting conditions.
Nokia NX 5G Software Experience
The Nokia NX 5G runs a near-stock version of Android 16, with HMD Global continuing its commitment to the pure Android experience. The minimal customizations focus on enhancing usability without cluttering the interface, and there’s a refreshing absence of bloatware compared to many competing devices.
Nokia’s “Adaptive UI” learns from user behavior to optimize system resources, prioritizing frequently used apps and functions while intelligently managing background processes. Privacy features have been enhanced, with a comprehensive dashboard that provides transparency into how apps access personal data.
The integration with Google services is seamless, and Nokia has added thoughtful features like “Smart Capture” for enhanced screenshot functionality, “Nokia Moments” for creating highlights from photos and videos, and improved one-handed mode accessibility.
Enterprise users will appreciate the enhanced security features, including hardware-level encryption, secure boot mechanisms, and compatibility with major mobile device management solutions. The extended security update promise makes the NX 5G a viable option for business users requiring long-term support.
Nokia NX 5G Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance has been prioritized in the NX 5G, with a 5,500mAh silicon-carbon composite battery that delivers up to two days of typical use on a single charge. The high-density battery technology allows for increased capacity without adding excessive weight or thickness to the device.
Charging options include 100W wired fast charging, which can replenish the battery from 0% to 50% in just 15 minutes, with a full charge taking approximately 40 minutes. The phone also supports 50W wireless charging and 15W reverse wireless charging, providing flexibility for different usage scenarios.
Nokia’s “Adaptive Battery” feature learns usage patterns to optimize power consumption, while the “Battery Saver+” mode can extend battery life by up to 40% in emergency situations by limiting background activities and adjusting system settings.
Nokia NX 5G Audio Experience
The stereo speaker system on the NX 5G delivers impressive audio quality, with tuning by audio specialists Harman Kardon. The speakers produce clear vocals, detailed highs, and surprisingly robust bass for a smartphone, achieving volume levels that can fill a medium-sized room.
In a move that will please audio enthusiasts, Nokia has retained the 3.5mm headphone jack with a high-quality DAC for superior wired audio performance. The phone is certified for Hi-Res Audio and supports various codecs including LDAC, aptX HD, and AAC for high-quality wireless audio.
Nokia NX 5G Market Positioning and Value
Priced competitively against other flagship devices, the Nokia NX 5G targets consumers who value build quality, camera performance, and clean software. It competes directly with devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25, iPhone 17, and Google Pixel 10, offering a distinctive alternative with its unique blend of durability, sustainability, and refined user experience.
While Nokia doesn’t have the market share of these larger competitors, the NX 5G represents a compelling option for those seeking a premium Android experience without the bloatware and aggressive customizations found in some competing devices.
Nokia NX 5G
The Nokia NX 5G marks a significant milestone in HMD Global’s stewardship of the Nokia brand. It successfully combines Nokia’s traditional strengths – durability, reliability, and thoughtful design – with cutting-edge technology that meets the demands of today’s smartphone users.
While challenges remain in terms of brand perception and market penetration, the NX 5G demonstrates that Nokia can produce a flagship device worthy of consideration alongside offerings from more established players. The extended software support, emphasis on sustainability, and distinctive design approach provide clear differentiation in a crowded market.