Tag Archives: Nokia

Nokia 7610 5G concept is a dreamy fusion of past and future

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The former mobile giant Nokia was both famed and notorious for its innumerable phones, some of which have gone down in history for their iconic designs. There are some, however, that have also gone down in infamy for their odd designs that, while eye-catching, end up being unusable. Although not the biggest culprit, the Nokia 7610 belongs to the latter group with its curved and off-center keypad.

With HMD reviving some of Nokia’s classic designs, there has been some interest in modern interpretations of these peculiar phones. This concept design for a 5G variant of this “stylish” phone, for example, retains the basic contours of the original but thankfully prioritizes usability over glamour, though not without a gimmick of its own.

Designer: AndroidLeo

Although it stuck to the conventional vertical candy bar format, the Nokia 7610 is characterized by an odd combination of sharp and curved corners on opposite sides, giving it a leaf-like shape. What made it even more unusual, however, was the shape of its keys. While it also conformed to the T9 layout, the keys curved a bit and had non-uniform sizes, making them harder to hit accurately by muscle memory alone.

The Nokia 7610 5G concept ditches that novelty for a more standard keypad layout, one that would be instantly familiar to users of those old phones. The keypad is, however, still off to the right side, and the empty spot on the left is taken up by a large flat circular that functions as a sort of joystick controller. Whether that has any actual useful function is debatable, but it does make the phone look unique and a little more balanced.

In almost all other aspects, this concept would look like any Android-like phone, but there are some details you’d be hard-pressed to find in modern smartphones. There’s a headphone jack, for one, which is a rare sight these days. The battery is also replaceable, hidden behind a removable panel on the back.

These details are a homage to some of the things that made Nokia phones great, despite their odd and sometimes unusable designs. There is a strong focus on functionality, paired with the courage to risk novel and untested designs. We’re unlikely to see the Nokia 7610 revived the way other Nokia classics have been, but this concept is still an interesting experiment in reinterpreting that design language for modern needs and tastes.

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Nokia Infinity Pro concept phone brings a pill-shaped design and a few questions

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You might criticize Nokia for flooding the mobile market with dozens of hard-to-remember devices, but you can’t deny that the Finnish giant also brought bold new designs that were far too ahead of their time, from the gaming-centric N-Gage to the cinematic N93 to the fashion-conscious 7380 “lipstick.” In contrast, today’s smartphones mostly play it safe due to usability and sales concerns, but that’s not to say that an odd design won’t sell either. There’s definitely room for novelty and plenty of space for creative ideas. This curiously shaped phone, for example, changes the design formula significantly, and while it does look like a futuristic device, it also raises a few important usability questions.

Designer: AndroidLeo

The “candy bar” form factor has emerged as the one true smartphone shape because of its handy and compact design. That doesn’t mean it isn’t the only possible form, though, especially when you consider that the top and bottom of these devices don’t need to be perfectly flat. It’s not like you’ll be standing it up or squeezing it alongside other flat and rectangular objects. This “Nokia Infinity Pro” concept challenges that status quo with a thin pill-shaped design that seems like a cross between a foldable clamshell and a smartwatch all rolled into one.

The more curvaceous shape of this concept phone supposedly rests more comfortably in your hand with no corners to cut into your skin. There might be some doubts about whether that would also make it too slippery to hold, but that’s not always a uniform experience. This Nokia Infinity Pro wouldn’t be the first to try out this design either, as the likes of the short-lived “open source” phones like the OpenMoko and Neo Freerunner sported similar shapes.

What makes this idea different, however, is that the screen covers the whole surface of the phone’s front, not just a rectangular section. Such a screen is now more possible to pull off, even if it’s still not that easy. The back of the phone also has two circular mounds opposite each other. One is a dual-camera system and another is a circular display not unlike those on smartwatches or some foldable phones’ “cover screen.” The idea is that you can place the phone face down on a table but still have access to important notifications and controls without distractions.

As interesting as it might look, however, there are some practical issues with such a design. For one, putting the phone face down always risks scratching the screen. At the same time, the circular outer screen will be covered by your palm and smudges whenever you have to hold up the phone. And then there’s the matter of what UI elements can be used at the top and bottom of the display since most platforms and content are created for rectangular screens. Maybe someday, we will have more adaptable software, and that will be the time for the Nokia Infinity Pro to truly shine.

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Nokia 7380 5G concept reimagines one of the quirkiest phones in history

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At this point in time, the design of smartphones is pretty much set in stone, at least disregarding novel designs like foldables and rollables. The “candy bar” form factor emerged as the standard, displacing even the fashionable clamshell “flip phones” that are making a comeback through small foldables, mostly because they are practical, handy, and efficient. There was a time, however, when phone form factors were all over the map, with brands like Nokia boldly experimenting with different designs that were functional but also a bit unconventional. The Nokia 7280 and 7380 “lipstick” phones were two of the phone manufacturer’s oddest creations, and one creator is bringing that past design to the present, giving it a modern touch to fit today’s aesthetics.

Designer: AndroidLeo

The Nokia 7380 was, strangely enough, part of the company’s “Fashion Phone” line back in the early 2000s. At a time when people actually used mobile phones for phone calls more than anything else, it could easily get away with its stick-like design and tiny mirror-like screen. You can’t do much else with it, other than listen to music and take photos that were already high-quality during that era, which sounds like the perfect recipe for a distraction-free, minimalist phone today.

In that regard, the Nokia 7380 5G concept doesn’t sound that outlandish after all. The design updates the aesthetics to modern standards, making use of interesting geometric shapes like a trapezoidal prism instead of a rectangular box, and puts a slightly taller screen that covers the whole surface this time around. It will still be too small to do anything productive like texting or even browsing the web, so it will mostly be for controlling the phone and launching apps that have to be custom-designed for that screen aspect ratio.

There’s also a camera on the narrow side of the prism, hidden behind a sliding mechanism. Given today’s technologies and the fact that this phone won’t have much in the way of other components, there should be enough space for a 50MP or higher camera. The concept design, which is based on rumors, also puts a dual camera setup on the “front,” or rather where the screen is. It’s not clear what the use case would be for having two cameras there, though.

In a nutshell, this smartphone stick could be marketed as a device that’s oriented towards music and photos, at least taking photos. There are two headphone jacks on one end, perfect for sharing your music with a friend, and the handy shape of the device makes it easy to take photos and selfies. It’s like a fashionable action cam that can play music and make phone calls as well, though it also raises the question of who would want to buy such a curious but less usable smartphone in the first place.

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HMD Skyline is a Nokia Lumia throwback with repairability at its core

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The Nokia brand was famous for its innumerable smartphone designs, some of which have stood the test of time and are being revived today. Although not as old as those, the Nokia Lumia with its blocky silhouette, curved sides, and raised 2.5D screen is just as distinctive, becoming the DNA of the product line until its demise. HMD Global, who now eagerly wants to remind everyone that its name stands for “Human Mobile Devices,” is bringing back that iconic form but with a twist. The HMD Skyline might be a blast from the past, but it is also the most forward-looking of its kind thanks to its strong self-repair spirit.

Designer: HMD

The Skyline is notable for two things. The first is, of course, is design that is both dated yet ironically fresh to people’s eyes today. The more geometric block is almost in line with art trends today, and its neon pink colorway definitely shouts for attention. Given the retro design craze gripping multiple industries, its arrival couldn’t be more timely.

This juxtaposition also shows itself in the HMD Skyline’s other strength: its easy repairability. Sure, it’s not as easy as popping off the back plate with a fingernail and swapping out batteries in a snap, but it’s still worlds apart compared to most smartphones today, including its mid-range buddies. There’s only one screw to lift the back panel, which you can gently pry off with plastic cards or guitar picks, then other connectors can be easily unscrewed or lifted. It’s probably the least risky process around when it comes to replacing the screen. And all that while still having an IP54 dust and water resistance rating.

Images courtesy of: iFixit

The irony is that HMD is positioning this Gen 2 repairability as an attractive feature for Gen Z users who, it claims, are more likely to keep their phone if they can repair it themselves. That said, this is also the generation that lives for the latest and greatest designs, convenient services, and near-instant gratification from social media. Then again, it’s also the maker culture, so there might be some DIY DNA running through their veins as well, waiting to be awakened.

The HMD Skyline’s specs are a bit less impressive, but it’s actually almost a miracle that some of them are even there. The 6.55-inch 1080p, for example, is capable of 144Hz refresh rates, and its 4,600mAh battery supports magnetic wireless charging. There’s a massive 108MP camera teamed up with a 50MP telephoto shooter and a 13MP wide-angle camera. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, however, clearly marks it for the mid-range class. All things considered, the $500 Android phone isn’t as bad a deal, especially if you’re truly into retro designs that you plan on maintaining for a very long time.

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Is the HMD Skyline the Nokia Lumia Revival We’ve Been Waiting For?

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The rumor mill is churning for HMD, the company behind the Nokia brand of smartphones. Their upcoming phone, codenamed Tomcat and now seemingly confirmed as the HMD Skyline, is generating excitement with its feature set and targeted price range. Slated for a July release, the Skyline is shaping up to be a mid-range contender with high-end features. Leaks suggest a €520 ($565 USD) price tag, positioning it above HMD’s recent offerings. It will boast 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but most notably, leaks show a design language that’s highly reminiscent of Nokia’s Lumia range. The phones boast sharp corners and colorful bodies that hark back to Nokia’s Windows Phone days.

Designer: HMD Skyline

The display is rumored to be a highlight, with a FHD+ OLED touchscreen featuring a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Powering the device will likely be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, a capable chip for everyday tasks and even some gaming. Camera enthusiasts will have a triple-lens setup on the back to play with, rumored to consist of a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor (likely), and a 2MP macro or depth sensor. Selfies will be handled by a 32MP front-facing camera.

Keeping the phone juiced is expected to be a 4,900mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging. Durability is also addressed with IP67 certification for dust and water resistance. The Skyline is also said to run the latest Android 14 operating system out of the box and will have an under-display fingerprint sensor for added security. Stereo speakers round out the package for an immersive entertainment experience.

Although HMD hasn’t officially released any images, these blurry leaks are proof that the Nokia brand language is alive and well. The company’s Lumia series captured many hearts back in Nokia’s heyday, and even though Satya Nadella (who shut Nokia’s mobile division down) said that the Windows Phone was a mistake, their catchy design language clearly wasn’t. The Skyline will allegedly be available in four gorgeous colors – pink, blue, green, and yellow. A sub-600 price tag and fairly impressive specs make it a great snag for anyone bitten by the nostalgia bug.

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Flip phone concept aims to inspire creativity with Nokia, Nothing aesthetics

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It may have been criticized for flooding the mobile phone market with dozens of confusing designs, but Nokia’s seemingly eccentric designs sometimes hit the right marks when it comes to uniqueness, aesthetics, or usability. From the XpressMusic to the N-Gage to the Communicator, there are times when those designs felt far ahead of their time, which didn’t do their sales any favors. There has been a great deal of interest in revisiting these designs, most of which, however, only make sense for non-smart feature phones like the ones HMD is offering. One particular design, however, might find a place in this modern world that’s obsessed with taking photos and recording videos, especially if it gets a little Nothing-inspired facelift.

Designer: Viet Doan Duc

Flip phones or clamshell designs are nothing new, even if the recent generation of foldable phones has given birth to their renaissance. The Nokia N90, however, did more than just open up in a stylish way to reveal a bigger screen and a large T9 keypad inside. It could also twist its top half so that you could hold it like a camcorder and feel more like a proper content creator. That was 20 years ago, even before the word “influencer” or even “YouTube” came to light. Now smartphones are pretty much pocketable cameras, and this concept design tries to give the Nokia N90 a second chance, with a bit of a twist.

The Nokia N90 design is obviously outdated by today’s standards, so this revision borrows some inspiration from Nothing’s now iconic translucent glass design. The concept focuses on three main concepts: mechanical precision, the spirit of exploration, and minimalist language. The mechanical aspect can be clearly seen from the smartphone’s industrial appearance, revealing details of precision circuity and clear edges. At the same time, however, it still manages to embrace minimalism by keeping the details down to the essentials, eschewing the noisy details that pervaded Nokia’s design language.

The Nokia N90 x Nothing concept is clearly a design that encourages exploration and creativity with its core design gimmick, turning the upper half around for a more immersive photography experience. Not only does it try to convey the feeling of using a camcorder, it also makes some difficult angles more feasible because of the degree of freedom the mechanism offers.

On the technical side, the dreams of some of the best hardware features that the mobile industry has to offer, and not just with the camera that’s installed on the phone’s hinge rather than its back. The physical keypad, for example, is replaced by an E Ink display that combines customizability and power efficiency, while a touch-sensitive D-Pad above it offers more precise control. All these, however, make the Nokia N90 x Nothing even more of a pipe dream, but the design itself is something that could definitely spark interest, and hopefully sales, among today’s generation of design-conscious creators.

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Retro phone designs bring modern features minus the distractions

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As powerful as our smartphones might be, it’s hard to deny that they can also be too powerful for their own good. They can do almost anything these days, which unfortunately also means they can be sources of any and all kinds of distractions. Not everyone needs all those capabilities, especially people who just need to make calls and send text messages via good ol’ SMS technology. Unfortunately, even the most basic smartphone can still tempt them with social media pings and Web browsing rabbit holes, while the newer crop of minimalist smartphones does promise fewer distractions but at the price of, well, their price tag. Sometimes, what you need is a non-smart smartphone, in other words, a feature or “dumb” phone, which is what the two latest Nokia-branded devices are trying to offer, blending nostalgic design with relatively more modern features.

Designer: HMD Global

Before it quit the mobile market, Nokia was pretty much the king of mobile phones. It is notorious for flooding that market with innumerable and often confusing designs, but, to its credit, it managed to appeal to almost every sector and niche with that same variety. Some of those designs have gone down in history as beloved icons of a time long gone, but HMD, licenses of the Nokia brand, has been reviving some of those, much to the delight of a few.

The Nokia 6310 (2024), for example, bears a soft, curved design that transcended genders and generations, offering a distinctive shape that is probably alien to today’s phone users. Make no mistake, this is as basic as phones can get, with a 2.8-inch QVGA (that’s 320×240 pixels) screen and a 0.3MP “VGA” camera on its back. That large screen and physical T9 keypad, however, are intentionally designed for better accessibility when it comes to reading and typing out text. This 2024 model differs from its predecessor from 2021 with a larger 1,450 mAh battery and a USB-C port that thankfully simplifies your charging life.

Perhaps more interesting is the design of the Nokia 5310 (2024), the latest to inherit the old Nokia XpressMusic DNA. Granted, it doesn’t differ much from the earlier 2021 model save for the larger size, a larger 1,450mAh battery, and the same USB-C upgrade. Fortunately, that also means it still has those iconic physical media playback buttons on its right side that gave the XpressMusic phones their fame. And yes, it also has a 3.5mm headphone jack to really drive home the old-school music listening experience.

Unfortunately, that simplicity does also come with a hidden cost, that of compatibility. These phones can only connect to 2G networks, a technology that is already being phased out and shut down in some countries. That said, markets where these two old-school Nokia phones will be sold mostly still support that old-school network, so it’s really a matter of choosing your compromises.

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From Phones to Drones: Nokia’s New Hexacopter Targets Industrial-use with RGB and Thermal Cameras

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The iconic phone maker unveiled a new logo this year, signifying a switch from consumer tech to actual infrastructure and business-focused solutions. Their latest product, a 5G-capable hexacopter drone drives that message home with its enterprise and industry-focused approach. The massive copter is designed to carry a variety of payloads, from cameras to scanning devices to even loudspeakers or modems. It’s crafted with robust materials, is designed to be reliable and repairable… but most importantly, it’s designed and manufactured entirely in the EU, offering an alternative to businesses and governments looking to shift away from China-developed drone technology.

Designer: Nokia

Nokia’s drone isn’t your average DJI or Parrot-style flying machine. It’s much larger, covering a span of at least 3 feet in diameter when resting on the ground. Designed for industries, construction, safety/security, emergency services, transportation, or even smart-city monitoring, the drone comes with its own docking station, dual gimbal cameras, and edge cloud processing using Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE). “By connecting over public and private 4G/LTE and 5G networks, customers will benefit from the highest reliability,” Nokia’s team mentions. “Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations with real-time kinetic (RTK) positioning improves situational awareness. Dual modem connectivity allows Nokia drones to simultaneously connect to multiple networks, complying with system redundancy that is commonly required by aviation regulatory bodies.”

The drone comes with a 6-rotor design that’s made for effective navigation no matter the situation, weather, or environment. For drones, this one is built like a tank, sporting a carbon fiber chassis that keeps the drone light but sturdy, and an overall construction that’s water, dust, and wind resistant. Dual modems ensure the drone stays connected through its entire journey, and if the connection ever falters, the drone has its own return-to-launchpad protocols built in that allow it to make its way back to its docking station while avoiding no-fly zones.

A highlight of the drone’s design is its modular lower platform that allows you to mount a variety of accessories that transform the drone’s purpose. You’ve got a dual-camera module with a Thermal and an RGB camera capable of 30x zoom, but undock the camera and you can swap it for a LiDAR sensor instead, allowing the drone to 3D scan objects and environments instead. Nokia offers other modules too, including a powerful spotlight for rescue missions, or a loudspeaker for delivering messages/warnings/alerts. If you’ve got a custom requirement, Nokia’s Payload Development Kit lets you build your own module to mount onto the drone, making it serve your mission/project’s needs.

The Nokia Drone Networks solution offers remote operation capabilities for search and rescue missions and damage assessment in hazardous environments. These drones can also be programmed to conduct autonomous flights for tasks like enhancing security at major events or conducting regular equipment inspections in remote locations. The docking station not only safeguards the drone and its payload, which may include sensor devices or a dual gimbal camera, from external dangers and severe weather conditions but also remotely charges the drone in preparation for its next flight.

Given its enterprise/industry-focused approach, the Nokia Drone isn’t available to consumers. For businesses looking to place orders, there’s an Enquiry button on Nokia’s website.

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This nostalgic Samsung smartphone is handheld gaming and entertainment hub in one

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Smartphone designs have lately got monotonous if we keep out exorbitantly priced foldable phones out of consideration for this discussion. Perhaps the right opportunity to go a full circle and revisit the old phone form factors of the early 2000s.

This Samsung phone design is the perfect amalgam of a mobile device, handheld gaming gadget and entertainment hub for the young generation. Freshening up the boring landscape with a nostalgic form factor that everyone will love to use.

Designer: Mark Choi

Reviving memories of the Nokia N-Gage, this smartphone comes with a 3.5mm jack for purists who love to listen to audio in the purest form. Dubbed Samsung Young Entertainer, this mobile device implements the basic phone functions, topped with the GUI (Graphical User Interface) to accelerate learning in a fun way. When it’s time for pure entertainment, the device can play most of the current generation graphics-intensive games like Genshin Impact, Grid Autosports and Call of Duty Mobile. Of course, moderation is prime here and the device comes with an in-built time-out alert if you engage in gaming for long hours in one go.

The phone connects seamlessly to the big screen to enjoy content or gaming. In this mode the menu options can be easily navigated with the joystick, the shoulder trigger buttons and the D-pad buttons. How this gadget will make itself stand out from the likes of Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go? Well, the integrated phone function. If it can deliver a smooth UI and the ability to play future titles with ray tracing, then there is a compelling reason for this one to materialize into a commercially available Samsung product. Whether the South Korean electronics giant has any plans to foray into the steeply growing mobile gaming market is still a burning question.

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How the Nokia G42 5G takes smartphone sustainability to the next level

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Smartphones are one of the biggest constants in modern life, with almost everyone owning at least one. At the same time, however, they are also sometimes the biggest risks and gambles that we make, especially if they’re the more expensive ones that are almost ironically also the more fragile options. You’d think that by now, smartphones would be more resilient, or at least easier and cheaper to repair. Unfortunately, the current market setup doesn’t exactly encourage that, especially when it comes to rolling up your sleeves and doing the grueling work on your own. That has served to increase the harmful effects of hastily discarded smartphones on the planet as e-waste continues to pile up in landfills. Fortunately, a few companies have started to be more conscientious in how they design their smartphones, and the new Nokia G42 5G is pushing the envelope of sustainability in a way that more people will be able to appreciate.

Designer: HMD Global

There’s a reason why smartphone manufacturers are often accused of what has become known as “planned obsolescence,” which is to say that they were intentionally designing their phones to be easy to break and hard to repair. After all, they will be able to sell more pieces that way, especially if consumers have become hooked on their platforms or services. Although the market hasn’t completely made a turnabout, some companies, especially bigger brands, have started to take on a more responsible position, including HMD Global which makes the modern Nokia phones.

Following the Nokia G22 from earlier this year, the Finnish company is launching the Nokia G42, adding a few upgrades, most notably support for 5G networks. Like its predecessor, the focus is squarely on how easy it is to repair the phone even on your own. Let’s be honest, few of us will probably dare to take the plunge, but the fact that the company isn’t blocking attempts is a significant improvement over the status quo. Even better, guides and some replacement parts are available, the latter for about five years from the phone’s launch, though these are limited to the battery, the back cover, the screen, and the charging port. Coincidentally, these are also the four parts of a phone that get damaged the most.

HMD Global is also quite proud of its other accomplishments in the name of sustainability. That replaceable back cover, for example, is made of 65% recycled plastic. The box it comes in is also made from an FSC-certified mix, which means it uses more sustainable materials. The phone is also made to last both in hardware and software, though there will definitely be some worries caused by its lower-than-average water resistance rating.

The Nokia G42 5G is hardly the best of class, but what makes it notable is how it makes all these things more accessible. For around $255, you will be getting a serviceable smartphone that will last you a lot longer than more expensive brands, especially since the phone will have replacement parts available until 2028. Plus, it actually looks good, especially with the So Purple colorway, so it won’t be cramping your style despite its low price and replaceable parts.

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