Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 hands-on: These are your new mid-range heroes

If you have only a couple hundred dollars to spend on a smartphone, HMD Global’s latest Nokia mid-rangers should be at the top of your list. The Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 may share the same design and materials, but each has its own internals that set up widely different price points.

Here is our Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 hands-on assessment.

Design that resonates

These phones look like they should cost $500, but they don’t. Though metal-and-glass designs rule the day, there’s something to be said for alternate approaches.

HMD Global created the frames for the Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 from a polycarbonate material that’s far lighter than aluminum or steel and yet still strong. The frame was then coated multiple times to give it a particular finish and texture. It feels like metal. HMD tapped Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3 for the front and rear surfaces. The glass panels have subtle curves right where the glass meets the polycarbonate frame.

Moreover, the design is simple and classy. Smooth, clean lines form the shape of these devices and pleasing color palettes mean they can blend in or stand out as desired. The rear panels are flat, with the exception of the Moto Z-like camera modules. These circular camera bumps are about the size of two quarters stacked atop one another and feature reflective edges. The fit and finish of the materials is quite good.

HMD opted for USB-C (and not micro-USB), and kept the headphone jack on both phones. In other words, it did the right thing.

The devices include usable power/lock buttons, volume toggles, and dedicated Google Assistant buttons. HMD’s execs said they carried the Assistant button over from earlier devices based on positive user feedback.

The Nokia 7.2 is available in Cyan Green, Charcoal, and Ice, while the Nokia 6.2 is available only in Charcoal and Ice. Other than the green hue, the only thing that sets the two phones apart visually is the ZEISS logo painted on the 7.2’s camera module.

The Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 are good looking phones that cover the basics in terms of feel and usability.

Specs that calculate

The Finnish company behind these designs spent lots of time talking about the displays. You’ve got a 6.3-inch Full HD+ LCD panel on both. The screens support HDR, with wide color gamut, and fine-tuned color accuracy. We were impressed in the time we spent with these teardrop notch displays. Their LCD panel generates plenty of light, though an OLED would offer deeper blacks.

Other shared features include: 3,500mAh batteries with two-day battery life; USB-C ports and 3.5mm headphone jacks, FM and NFC radios; dedicated Google Assistant buttons; and Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm aptX audio.

The 7.2 has what I’d call solid mid-range specs. For example, the processor is a Snapdragon 660 with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It supports Cat 13 LTE.

Comparatively, the cheaper Nokia 6.2 is powered by an older Snapdragon 636 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It supports Cat 5 LTE.

The 7.2 has a dramatically better camera: a 48MP primary sensor at f/1.79 with ZEISS optics. This sensor can be binned down to 12MP for better low-light performance. HMD says it paid particular attention to shooting in the dark. The main shooter is joined by a 5MP depth sensor and an 8MP wide-angle sensor at f/2.2. The selfie camera rates a solid 20MP and includes a “super portrait” tool for capturing the best-possible selfie.

The 6.2 also has a three-camera array on the back, featuring a 16MP main sensor at f/1.8 that is joined by a 5MP depth sensor and an 8MP wide-angle sensor at f/2.2. The front camera boasts an 8MP sensor at f/2.

Software that updates

Both phones ship with Android 9 Pie and a firm commitment from HMD Global to see Android 10 (formerly Android Q) in the near future. You should believe HMD.

A recent report demonstrated that 96% of HMD’s Nokia phones have been updated to Android 9 Pie — far ahead of most of the competition. HMD Global has committed to two full years of system updates and three full years of security updates for all its Nokia phones. Moreover, the company already published a schedule for getting its phones to Android 10 and the Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 will be some of the first.

HMD is relying on the Android One build of Pie. In other words, stock. The company says sticking with a stock experience is part of the reason it is able to roll out updates so quickly — something it contends is a win for consumers.

Pricing and availability

These phones hit the market in mere weeks. The Nokia 7.2 should arrive before the end of September for 349 euros. It will be sold in most markets worldwide, include the U.S. (via open channels). HMD says it is working to strengthen its relationships with U.S. carriers and until it does the open market is the way it will go.

The Nokia 6.2 will go on sale in mid-October at the more affordable price point of 209 euros. The 6.2 will not be sold in the U.S. and is something HMD expects to sell across Asia, Africa, and EMEA.

The pricing and availability details are not final and may change.

What do you think about the Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!