The Nokia 1.3 is an entry-level smartphone that aims to deliver the essentials without overwhelming the user with unnecessary features. As part of Nokia’s budget-friendly lineup, it targets first-time smartphone users or those who prioritize simplicity and reliability over high-end specs. While it won’t compete with flagship devices, it offers a clean Android experience, decent build quality, and just enough performance for basic tasks. Let’s dive deeper into what this device has to offer.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Nokia 1.3 doesn’t stand out in terms of design, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. The phone sports a polycarbonate body with a matte finish that provides a decent grip and resists fingerprints. The rounded edges make it comfortable to hold, and the 5.71-inch display is surrounded by noticeable bezels, which is expected at this price point. On the back, you’ll find a single camera setup and a fingerprint-resistant texture that adds a bit of durability. The phone is lightweight at just 155 grams, making it easy to carry around.

Display

The Nokia 1.3 features a 5.71-inch IPS LCD with an HD+ resolution (1560 x 720 pixels). While the resolution isn’t groundbreaking, it’s sufficient for basic media consumption and day-to-day tasks. Colors are decently accurate, though they lack the vibrancy of more expensive AMOLED panels. The brightness levels are adequate for indoor use but can struggle under direct sunlight. Still, for an entry-level device, the display gets the job done without major complaints.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Nokia 1.3 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 chipset paired with 1GB of RAM. This configuration is undeniably modest, but it aligns with the phone’s target audience—users who need a device for calls, messaging, and light web browsing. Multitasking is limited, and apps may take a second or two to load, but the phone handles basic operations without frequent crashes. One of its strongest selling points is its software: the Nokia 1.3 runs Android 10 (Go Edition), a lightweight version of Android optimized for low-end hardware. The Go Edition ensures smoother performance and includes stripped-down versions of popular apps like Google Go and YouTube Go, which consume less storage and data.

Camera

The camera setup on the Nokia 1.3 is as basic as it gets—a single 8MP rear sensor and a 5MP front-facing shooter. In good lighting, the rear camera can capture passable photos with acceptable detail, though colors tend to look a bit washed out. Low-light performance is predictably weak, with images appearing noisy and lacking clarity. The front camera is serviceable for video calls and occasional selfies, but don’t expect much beyond that. If photography is a priority, this isn’t the phone for you, but for casual snapshots, it’s sufficient.

Battery Life

Equipped with a 3000mAh battery, the Nokia 1.3 delivers solid endurance for its class. With light usage—calls, messaging, and occasional browsing—the phone can easily last a full day. More intensive tasks like video streaming will drain the battery faster, but given the modest hardware, it’s still respectable. The lack of fast charging means you’ll need to be patient when topping up, but this is a minor gripe for a budget device.

Storage and Expandability

The Nokia 1.3 comes with 16GB of internal storage, which is quite limited by today’s standards. However, it does support microSD expansion up to 400GB, allowing users to store photos, videos, and apps externally. Given the phone’s target audience, this flexibility is a welcome feature, especially since the Go Edition apps take up less space than their full counterparts.

Connectivity and Audio

Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, and a micro-USB port (yes, no USB-C here). The phone also retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare even in budget devices. The single bottom-firing speaker is loud enough for calls and notifications but lacks depth for media playback. Call quality, however, is clear and reliable, which is crucial for a phone in this segment.

Final Verdict

The Nokia 1.3 is a no-frills smartphone that excels in simplicity and reliability. It won’t impress tech enthusiasts, but for its intended audience—first-time smartphone users or those needing a basic backup device—it’s a solid choice. The clean Android Go experience, decent battery life, and expandable storage make it a practical option for light usage. If you’re looking for a phone that handles the essentials without breaking the bank, the Nokia 1.3 is worth considering.

Nokia 1.3 Full Specifications:

Display: 5.71-inch IPS LCD, HD+ (1560 x 720 pixels)

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 (Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53)

RAM: 1GB

Storage: 16GB internal, expandable via microSD up to 400GB

Rear Camera: 8MP, f/2.0

Front Camera: 5MP, f/2.4

Battery: 3000mAh, removable

OS: Android 10 (Go Edition)

Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, micro-USB, 3.5mm jack

Dimensions: 147.3 x 71.2 x 9.4 mm

Weight: 155 grams

Colors: Cyan, Charcoal, Sand