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Nokia might be preparing not one, but two 5G smartphones, including a 'value flagship'

By Adrian Diaconescu

Published: Jun 10, 2019, 2:18 AM

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Nokia Android

Nokia might be preparing not one, but two 5G smartphones, including a 'value flagship'

The lack of 5G support is the least of the Nokia 9 PureView's problems

Even though 5G network deployment continues to move at a snail's pace, market analysts expect the groundbreaking new cellular technology to make a difference for global smartphone sales as early as the second half of 2019. It's thus no wonder that essentially every single major vendor out there (with the notable exception of Apple) is widely predicted to have at least one 5G-enabled mobile device available by the end of the year.

Some have already released 5G-capable powerhouses in countries like the US and South Korea, while others seem to be prioritizing their affairs differently. Exclusive Nokia brand licensee HMD Global, for instance, remains primarily focused on building a US carrier presence with a robust low to mid-end portfolio. But the company does eventually plan to enter the fledgling 5G segment, as proven by a closely related agreement recently reached with Qualcomm.

Following in the footsteps of a high-end Nokia 9 PureView that's still pretty fresh (and rough around the edges), the resurrected Finnish brand is reportedly eyeing a late Q3 or early Q4 announcement for a 5G flagship with a Snapdragon 855 processor under the hood. This more or less aligns with a rumor from a number of months ago that called for such a device to be unveiled in August. We're now expecting a slightly more distant launch (sometime in September or October), but the general idea stands - a Nokia-branded mobile powerhouse with 5G speeds is likely to hit stores in time for the holidays. Probably not US stores, though.

Perhaps the juiciest, most unexpected part of the latest report trying to anticipate Nokia's smartphone release plans this year concerns a so-called "5G value flagship." There aren't many of those on the market right now, but eventually, mid-range handsets are obviously expected to adopt 5G connectivity as well. Apparently, Nokia wants to be a pioneer in that particular field, possibly preparing a follow-up model for the Snapdragon 710-powered 8.1 with a mystery Snapdragon 7xx SoC in tow and 5G support.

This could be named Nokia 8.2 and break cover alongside the brand's first 5G flagship (Nokia 10?) at some point in the fall. We wouldn't hold our breath for US availability as far as this model is concerned either, but you obviously never know.

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.

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Nokia might be preparing not one, but two 5G smartphones, including a 'value flagship'

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