The first image of the Nokia 8, the flagship model for the brand now owned by HMD Global, has surfaced, giving users a look at the next step in Nokia's revival.
A previous report claimed that the Nokia 8 launch date falls within this month, for a price that might be lower than $600. With high-end specifications and gorgeous design, will the device help Nokia reclaim the throne it once held atop the mobile phone industry?
Nokia 8 First Look
The first image of the Nokia 8 was shown off by reliable leaker Evan Blass in a tweet, revealing a device that takes most of its design cues from the previous smartphones launched by the revived Nokia brand.
A recent report from German website WinFuture claimed that Nokia is planning to launch the Nokia 8 by the end of the month, and Blass through his VentureBeat article agreed with the possibility of the timeframe. The Nokia 8 recently appeared in the FCC database with the model number TA-1012, which means that the smartphone's official announcement is likely drawing near.
According to various sources, the Nokia 8 specifications include a 5.3-inch 2,560 x 1,440 display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip, either 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM, dual 13 MP Zeiss cameras at the back, and Android 7.1.1 Nougat.
The price for the Nokia 8 is pegged at €589 in Europe, which is equivalent to about $675. There is the possibility that the smartphone will be sold at a price below $600 in the United States though, which would give the Nokia 8 a bit more leverage for customers thinking about buying it over Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 and Apple's iPhone 8.
Nokia vs. Apple And Samsung
The Nokia 8 is the first flagship-level smartphone that will be rolled out by HMD Global, following the spring line-up that featured the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6, plus the gimmick of the new Nokia 3310.
The design and specifications of the Nokia 8 certainly fall within flagship parameters, but it remains to be seen whether Nokia will be able to overcome the massive challenge of standing up in the industry it once dominated against its new giants, Samsung and Apple.
Samsung and Apple have been moving away from bezels and physical buttons, which are design elements found in the Nokia 8. This might push away users who prefer the cleaner looks of the upcoming Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8, but the much lower price of the Nokia 8 will likely make it a consideration, at the very least, for many customers.
