Exclusive: Newly leaked image shows off Nokia A1 (update: April Fools!)

Update: We didn’t think we needed to spell this out, but apparently we do. This is an April Fool’s joke. We thought we made it pretty obvious with the existence of Samsung icons, Titanium Backup, and a slightly crooked Nokia label — and our Android Authority readers certainly saw through the ruse. So why are we updating this post to clarify this is a joke? Because, ironically, a number of tech sites have picked this up as ‘legitimate’ news. Without saying any specific publication names, do a Google search for Nokia A1 and you’ll be surprised how many results you’ll find. 

Towards the tail-end of 2014 Nokia announced its first Android-powered tablet, the Nokia N1. Of course the tablet was actually only a Nokia product mostly in name, with Nokia licensing its custom Z Launcher and the N1’s design to Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) for production. Despite this, many wondered when Nokia would make its way back into the smartphone game, and early renders of such a device even surfaced last year, though ultimately were proven to be nothing more than fakes. Could 2016 be the year Nokia returns to the smartphone making game? According to a new exclusive leak from a trusted insider, yes, and above you’ll find the very first render of said device!

Reportedly going by the name Nokia A1, our sources indicate the phone will be shipping sometime in the summer of 2016. One of the first things you’ll notice is that the phone bears no resemblance to past Nokia devices, though this isn’t too surprising considering the iconic Lumia design language is now part of Microsoft’s intellectual property. Instead, you get a somewhat generic looking phone with capacitive front keys and a brushed/pained design on what is likely a plastic back. You’ll also notice that the phone is apparently running Nokia Z Launcher, likely built on top of Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

As for the specs? Our source didn’t have the full details here, though it was revealed that the phone has a 5.5-inch 1080p display and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652. That means we’re looking at a mid-range device here and not a full-fledged flagship. This isn’t too surprising, given that the low and mid-range markets seem to be heating up a lot right now, and is likely the safest entry point for Nokia if they hope to make a splash in the Android space after their absence in the smartphone market.

Keep in mind that, going by the Nokia N1’s history, this phone could be targeted primarily at the Chinese market. And while we trust the information that was provided to us, keep in mind nothing is official until Nokia confirms it directly.