2021 is clearly the year that 5G goes affordable, with 5G-capable budget entries from the likes of Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus and Oppo already on the scene, and now it’s HMD Global’s turn, with the introduction of the Nokia G50.
At first blush, the G50 looks like it overlaps with other recent releases within the brand’s portfolio, primarily down to the use of Qualcomm’s budget-centric 5G chipset, the Snapdragon 480. The fresh-faced Nokia X10, X20 and XR20 all run on the same chip but HMD has trimmed a little of the fat to make the G50 the company’s most affordable 5G phone yet.
In order for the hardware to move from the company’s X range, down to the G Series, HMD starts the G50 off with 4GB of RAM, paired with an AI-assisted 48Mp lead camera (part of a triple sensor arrangement on the rear), along with a large 6.82in HD+ display that sports a dewdrop notch with an 8Mp front-facing camera (that boasts electronically stabilised still and video capture).
Aesthetically, the phone falls in line with the brand’s current signature Nordic design language and can be had in two colours: Midnight Sun or Ocean Blue.
Software-wise, Android 11 is available out the box, but true to form, HMD promises support for two additional OS upgrades in the phone’s lifetime, alongside three years of regular security updates.
Within the price, the G50 also comes accompanied by a screen protector, clear case and headset (depending on market), along with a 10W charger – despite the phone’s sizeable 5000mAh battery actually supporting up to 18W fast charging.
Here’s the Nokia G50’s full spec sheet:
6.82in HD+ display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 chipset
4GB or 6GB RAM (varies by market)
64GB or 128GB storage (varies by market)
microSD expandable up to 512GB
48Mp primary camera w/ autofocus
8Mp ultrawide camera
2Mp depth camera
8Mp front-facing camera (in dewdrop notch)
Dedicated Google Assistant key
Android 11
Side-mounted fingerprint sensor-cum-power key
Dual SIM
5G
NFC
FM radio
Bluetooth 5.0
3.5mm headphone jack
USB-C
Supports 18W fast charging
10W charger in-box
5000mAh battery
172.83mm x 77.68mm x 8.85mm
220 grams
Colours: Ocean Blue, Midnight Sun
The Nokia G50 goes on sale immediately off the back of its 22 September announcement, with pricing from £199.99/€259 for the base 4GB RAM/64GB storage configuration. The phone does feature a hybrid dual-SIM tray, however, so you can throw in a microSD card and expand storage if desired.
It’s available direct from the Nokia website (UK, Spain, France), but faces tough competition from phones like the Poco M3 Pro 5G, Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G, Oppo A54 5G and Realme 8 5G. Check out our Best cheap 5G phone feature for a more in-depth look at its key rivals.
