Nokia 9 PureView Penta-Camera Smartphone Takes Center Stage At MWC 2019
HMD Global, the “home” of Nokia phones, introduced a number of smartphones at the 2019 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain. One of their most striking devices is the Nokia 9 PureView, which features a “Penta-lens” camera system with Zeiss Optics and Android 9 Pie.
The Nokia 9 PureView includes seven circular cutouts on its back. Two of these cutouts are color cameras with Zeiss Optics, another three are monochrome sensors, and the final two are a LED flash and proximity sensor. The device uses artificial intelligence (AI) to to combine the data gathered from all of the cameras. The PureView is reportedly able to capture up to ten times as much light as other sensors and promises photographs with “incredible texture and detail”. Nokia has also paired up with Adobe and Lightroom will come pre-installed on all PureView phones. Nokia and Adobe are also rumored to be working on Lightroom presets that would be specifically tailored toward the device.
The device includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of onboard storage, and a 3320 mAh battery with Qi wireless charging. It also incorporates a 5.99 inch edge-to-edge pOLED-QHD display with 2K resolution. Seamless Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is on both the front and back of the devices and sandwiches a machined aluminum chassis. The device weighs in at 6.07 oz (172 g) and is 8mm thin. For extra security, there is a fingerprint sensor under the screen and a face unlocking system.
The PureView is also an Android One device and Nokia brags that it provides a “pure software experience, offering the best of Android with a streamlined interface and no bloatware”. Devices will benefit from software updates for two years and monthly security updates for three years. Android 9 uses AI to understand a user’s preferences and includes app actions and an Adaptive Battery. Users will also be able to take advantage of Google Photos with free and unlimited storage and Google Assistant.
It remains to be seen whether the Nokia 9 PureView will be able to live up to the hype. More cameras does not necessarily equal better photographs. Many are also disappointed that the device only includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, while more modern devices instead boast a Snapdragon 855. Some are even put off by the device’s design. Many have pointed out that the “Penta-lens” looks like the eyes of a spider, while others claim that the device triggers their trypophobia or fear of holes.
HMD Global also announced a few other Nokia smartphones at the 2019 MWC. The Nokia 1 Plus is a larger version of the original Nokia 1. Its specs are not as impressive as the PureView, but it only rings in at $99 USD. The Nokia 4.2 is a mid-range device with a Snapdragon 439 processor, a 5.2 inch display, a dual camera, and rear-facing fingerprint sensor. The Nokia 3.2 incorporates a Snapdragon 429 processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 6.26 inch HD+ screen. Both devices include a Google Assistant button and ring in under $200.
The Nokia 9 PureView is available for pre-order for £549 GBP and will ship by March 18th. If you pre-order the device now, you will receive a pair of Nokia True Wireless Earbuds. It is unclear when the device will be available for sale in the United States, but it will cost $699 USD.
The Nokia 9 PureView includes seven circular cutouts on its back. Two of these cutouts are color cameras with Zeiss Optics, another three are monochrome sensors, and the final two are a LED flash and proximity sensor. The device uses artificial intelligence (AI) to to combine the data gathered from all of the cameras. The PureView is reportedly able to capture up to ten times as much light as other sensors and promises photographs with “incredible texture and detail”. Nokia has also paired up with Adobe and Lightroom will come pre-installed on all PureView phones. Nokia and Adobe are also rumored to be working on Lightroom presets that would be specifically tailored toward the device.
The device includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of onboard storage, and a 3320 mAh battery with Qi wireless charging. It also incorporates a 5.99 inch edge-to-edge pOLED-QHD display with 2K resolution. Seamless Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is on both the front and back of the devices and sandwiches a machined aluminum chassis. The device weighs in at 6.07 oz (172 g) and is 8mm thin. For extra security, there is a fingerprint sensor under the screen and a face unlocking system.
The PureView is also an Android One device and Nokia brags that it provides a “pure software experience, offering the best of Android with a streamlined interface and no bloatware”. Devices will benefit from software updates for two years and monthly security updates for three years. Android 9 uses AI to understand a user’s preferences and includes app actions and an Adaptive Battery. Users will also be able to take advantage of Google Photos with free and unlimited storage and Google Assistant.
It remains to be seen whether the Nokia 9 PureView will be able to live up to the hype. More cameras does not necessarily equal better photographs. Many are also disappointed that the device only includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, while more modern devices instead boast a Snapdragon 855. Some are even put off by the device’s design. Many have pointed out that the “Penta-lens” looks like the eyes of a spider, while others claim that the device triggers their trypophobia or fear of holes.
HMD Global also announced a few other Nokia smartphones at the 2019 MWC. The Nokia 1 Plus is a larger version of the original Nokia 1. Its specs are not as impressive as the PureView, but it only rings in at $99 USD. The Nokia 4.2 is a mid-range device with a Snapdragon 439 processor, a 5.2 inch display, a dual camera, and rear-facing fingerprint sensor. The Nokia 3.2 incorporates a Snapdragon 429 processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 6.26 inch HD+ screen. Both devices include a Google Assistant button and ring in under $200.
The Nokia 9 PureView is available for pre-order for £549 GBP and will ship by March 18th. If you pre-order the device now, you will receive a pair of Nokia True Wireless Earbuds. It is unclear when the device will be available for sale in the United States, but it will cost $699 USD.
