Nokia X1 Pro: A Comprehensive Review of the Budget

Nokia X1 Pro: A Comprehensive Review of the Budget-Friendly Smartphone

The Nokia X1 Pro is a budget-friendly smartphone designed to offer a balance of performance, durability, and affordability. Nokia, a brand known for its reliable and long-lasting devices, continues to cater to users who seek a no-nonsense smartphone experience without breaking the bank.

In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the Nokia X1 Pro, covering its design, display, performance, camera, battery life, software, and overall value proposition. Whether you're a student, a professional, or someone looking for a reliable secondary device, this review will help you decide if the Nokia X1 Pro is the right choice for you.

Design and Build Quality

Nokia has always been synonymous with sturdy build quality, and the Nokia X1 Pro is no exception. The phone features a polycarbonate (high-quality plastic) body that ensures durability while keeping the weight manageable. The matte finish on the back provides a good grip, reducing the chances of accidental slips.

Key Design Features:

• Dimensions & Weight: The phone is lightweight (around 180g) and has a slim profile, making it comfortable for one-handed use.
• Button Placement: The power and volume buttons are placed on the right side, offering easy access.
• Fingerprint Sensor: The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate, providing an added layer of security.
• Color Options: The Nokia X1 Pro comes in classic Nokia colors such as Midnight Blue and Polar White.

While the phone doesn’t have a premium glass or metal build like flagship devices, its plastic construction ensures better durability against drops and scratches.

Display: Crisp and Vibrant

The Nokia X1 Pro features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with an HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels). While it doesn’t offer an AMOLED panel, the colors are vibrant, and the brightness is sufficient for indoor and outdoor use.

Display Specifications:

• Screen-to-Body Ratio: ~82%, thanks to a small waterdrop notch for the front camera.
• Refresh Rate: Standard 60Hz (no high refresh rate, which is expected at this price point).
• Brightness & Color Accuracy: Decent for media consumption, though not as punchy as AMOLED displays.

The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which provides scratch resistance. While it may not be the sharpest panel in its segment, it gets the job done for everyday tasks like browsing, watching videos, and gaming.

Performance: Smooth Everyday Usage

Under the hood, the Nokia X1 Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset, paired with 4GB or 6GB of RAM depending on the variant. This setup ensures smooth performance for day-to-day tasks and light gaming.

Performance Highlights:

• Processor: Snapdragon 662 (11nm fabrication) with an octa-core CPU (4x Kryo 260 Gold @ 2.0 GHz + 4x Kryo 260 Silver @ 1.8 GHz).
• GPU: Adreno 610 – handles casual games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile at low to medium settings.
• Storage Options: 64GB or 128GB internal storage, expandable via microSD card (up to 512GB).

While the phone isn’t meant for heavy gaming or multitasking with dozens of apps, it performs well for social media, streaming, and light productivity tasks.

Camera: Decent for the Price

The Nokia X1 Pro features a triple-camera setup on the back, consisting of:

• 48MP primary sensor (f/1.8 aperture)
• 5MP ultra-wide lens (for wider shots)
• 2MP depth sensor (for portrait mode)

Camera Performance:

• Daylight Photos: The primary 48MP sensor captures detailed and well-exposed shots in good lighting.
• Low-Light Performance: Struggles a bit in dim conditions, but Night Mode helps improve brightness and reduce noise.
• Ultra-Wide Shots: Useful for landscapes, though there’s some distortion at the edges.
• Portrait Mode: Works well with decent edge detection.
• Front Camera: An 8MP selfie shooter handles video calls and basic selfies adequately.

The camera app is simple and includes modes like Night, Portrait, and Pro mode for manual adjustments.

Battery Life: All-Day Endurance

One of the strongest aspects of the Nokia X1 Pro is its 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts 1.5 to 2 days on moderate usage.

Battery Performance:

• Screen-on Time: Around 7-8 hours with mixed usage (social media, videos, browsing).
• Charging Speed: Supports 10W charging, which is slow compared to competitors offering 18W or higher. A full charge takes about 2.5 hours.
• Battery Optimization: The near-stock Android experience helps in efficient power management.

If battery life is a priority, the Nokia X1 Pro won’t disappoint.

Software: Clean Android Experience

The Nokia X1 Pro runs Android 11 (upgradable to Android 12) with a near-stock experience. Nokia is known for its commitment to timely updates and security patches, making it a reliable choice for long-term use.

Software Advantages:

• No Bloatware: Unlike many budget phones, Nokia keeps the interface clean.
• Google Assistant Integration: Works seamlessly.
• Digital Wellbeing: Helps monitor screen time and usage habits.

The absence of heavy skins ensures smooth performance even with modest hardware.

Connectivity & Additional Features

• 4G LTE Support: Dual SIM functionality.
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0.
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Still present for wired audio lovers.
• FM Radio: A handy feature for offline listening.
• USB Type-C Port: Modern charging/data transfer port.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

✔ Strong battery life (5000mAh)
✔ Clean Android software with regular updates
✔ Durable build quality
✔ Decent performance for daily tasks
✔ Expandable storage

Cons:

❌ Slow charging (10W)
❌ Average low-light camera performance
❌ HD+ display instead of Full HD
❌ No high refresh rate

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Nokia X1 Pro?

The Nokia X1 Pro is an excellent choice for:

• Budget-conscious buyers who want a reliable phone.
• Students and professionals needing long battery life.
• Users who prefer stock Android without bloatware.
• Those who prioritize durability over flashy designs.

However, if you need fast charging, better cameras, or a high refresh rate display, you might want to look at alternatives like the Redmi Note series or Realme Narzo phones.

Conclusion

The Nokia X1 Pro delivers where it matters most—battery life, software experience, and durability. While it may not compete with mid-range phones in terms of camera and display quality, it’s a solid budget device for users who value reliability and longevity.

If you’re looking for a no-frills, long-lasting smartphone under ₹15,000, the Nokia X1 Pro is worth considering.