Five reasons to buy the Nokia 7.2 smartphone in 2024

The sweet spot in the budget smartphone world is getting crowded. In 2024, you can find stylish phones with impressive features at reasonable prices. The Nokia 7.2, priced at ₦140,000/$88, joins this competitive arena, offering a compelling package—a triple-camera system, bloatware-free software, and a familiar design from HMD Global. 

Though it might not have seemed out of place two years ago, has the Nokia 7.2 aged well enough to compete with today's best Android budget options? We have five reasons to believe it is still a good backup choice in 2024. 

Let's find out in this review!

1. The classic durable polycarbonate design

HMD Global has carved a niche for itself with smartphones that prioritise clean aesthetics and solid build quality. The Nokia 7.2 continues this trend, offering an attractive and durable design. Made from a special polymer composite, it's half the weight of aluminium yet twice as strong as standard polycarbonate. Weighing just 180g, the smooth polycarbonate back feels surprisingly premium, rivalling some competitors like the Google Pixel 3a in this regard.

Functional touches include a power button that doubles as a subtle notification light and a dedicated Google Assistant button for quick access to your AI helper—a boon for those heavily invested in Google's ecosystem, but potentially an annoyance for others prone to accidental presses.

It also features a modern USB-C port for charging and data transfer, while retaining the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack that's still appreciated by many budget-conscious users. 

Overall, the Nokia 7.2 strikes a balance between modern aesthetics, user-friendly features, and a reassuringly durable build quality.

2. Clutter-free and Android One software advantage

The Nokia 7.2 benefits from a streamlined software experience thanks to Android One. Unlike competitors with custom interfaces and bloatware, the Nokia 7.2 keeps it clean and simple. As an Android One phone, it receives monthly security updates for three years and software upgrades for two years. Despite this, in 2024, many budget phones like the Tecno Spark 10 Pro and Oppo A17 have the latest OS.

The phone runs close-to-stock Android 9 Pie with Nokia's camera app, ensuring a familiar and intuitive experience with some customization for photography. Core apps are Google's, which are well-designed, freeing up storage with no bloatware or duplicate apps. If you need a calendar or photo app, Google Calendar and Google Photos are pre-installed.

Looking ahead, while the phone runs Android 9, Nokia assures an upgrade to Android 10, and potentially Android 11. This means the Nokia 7.2 is upgradable to at least Android 11 and why we’re so confident on that point. 

3. The large and crisp (LCD) display

The Nokia 7.2 enhances the visual experience with a large, 6.3-inch LCD, balancing affordability and quality in the mid-range phone market. Its 1080 x 2280 Full HD+ resolution supports 1080p content without draining the battery. 

Unlike the Pixel 3a, the Nokia 7.2 offers excellent outdoor visibility. While OLED displays have bolder colours, the Nokia 7.2 provides crisp details and a comfortable viewing experience, thanks to Nokia's PureDisplay technology. 

This technology promises a wider colour gamut, impressive contrast ratio, and improved colour accuracy, making the Nokia 7.2's display stand out among LCD phones. User reviews confirm the display's clarity, brightness, and detail.

4. Budget phone with mid-range processor and sustainable onboard storage 

The Nokia 7.2 cuts costs with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, a familiar chip seen in phones like the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite and Nokia 7 Plus. It's not the latest on the market, but it delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. Even with multitasking and Call of Duty Mobile at medium Graphic Quality and High Frame Rate settings, the phone handles itself well. Geekbench 4 scores show it competes closely with the Google Pixel 3a.

Storage options on the Nokia 7.2 phone are 64GB or 128GB, expandable with a microSD card for up to 512GB of total space. This ensures you have enough room for apps, photos, and videos, even with the base model. Though the 4GB RAM variant might cause a slight pause when opening the camera app or scrolling through social media, overall performance feels adequate for daily use. 

5. Not so spectacular camera but solid 

The Nokia 7.2 features a triple-lens camera system with a 48-megapixel main sensor, which offers solid performance for everyday photography. The main camera uses pixel binning, combining four pixels into one for enhanced low-light performance, resulting in vibrant and clear 12-megapixel photos. This technique is common in mid-range phones and ensures better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

The 8-megapixel ultrawide lens captures broad shots, perfect for landscapes and group photos. While some reviewers note that images might lack detail compared to the competition, the ultrawide lens is a valuable addition for those looking to capture more in a single frame. The 5-megapixel depth sensor assists with portrait mode, providing pleasing background blur and enhancing the overall photo quality.

Ultimately, the Nokia 7.2's camera delivers acceptable results but faces tough competition. The Google Pixel 3a offers superior camera processing, and the Realme XT provides more versatility.

Things to Consider Before Buying the Nokia 7.2

Here are some things to keep in mind before you buy:

• Moderate Battery Life: Battery life on the Nokia 7.2 might not last you a full day on a single charge with heavy use.
• Competitive Landscape: The sub-$100 price range offers a lot of choices. Consider what features are most important to you when comparing the Nokia 7.2 to other options.
• Dated Processor Performance: The Snapdragon 660 processor might struggle with demanding tasks or experience occasional lag.
• Camera Limitations: While the camera is usable, low-light performance could be better.
• Limited Customisation: The Google Assistant button isn't programmable for other actions.
• Audio Quality: The speakers may not be satisfactory for speakerphone mode.
• Gaming Performance: If you're a serious gamer, you might want to look for a phone with a more powerful processor.

Verdict

The Nokia 7.2 offers a lot to like for the price. It boasts a stylish design, a clean and bloatware-free Android One experience, and a crisp 6.3-inch display for enjoying media. The Snapdragon 660 processor handles everyday tasks without breaking a sweat.

However, the camera system, while sporting three lenses, doesn't quite live up to the hype. The ultrawide photos lack detail, and the main sensor's performance is just average. Night mode also struggles to impress.

So, should you buy it?

If a clean software experience, good looks, and a vibrant display are your priorities, and you can find it at a budget-friendly price, then the Nokia 7.2 is a solid option. But if camera quality and a game-worthy processor are a must-have, you might want to explore other options in the ₦140,000 - ₦170,000 price range.

Pricing and Availability

You can get the Nokia 7.2 phone in Nigeria on HMD’s Jumia outlet online and other authorised retailers near you. 

It’s available nationwide in two variants:

• 64 GB - ₦110,000
• 128 GB - ₦140,000