One of the latest smartphones from HMD Global to launch in Kenya is the Nokia 5.3. The phone is available in the country for Ksh 21,000 which is not cheap in any way. At this price, the phone faces stiff competition from most other reputable brands including Huawei, Samsung, Xiaomi and others.
The Nokia 5.3 should be the successor to the Nokia 5.1 Plus. HMD Global has a very confusing line-up as the Nokia 5.2 was renamed to the Nokia 5.3 and is the one we currently have and the one I am unboxing today.
All that confusion aside, the Nokia 5.3 is a good addition to HMD’s line-up. The phone was announced back in April and brings with it the circular camera module that seems to be the company’s design language.
Before we get to the unboxing, let us look at some of the key specifications of the Nokia 5.3.
- Display Size: 6.55 inches with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
- RAM: 3/4/6 GB
- Storage Space: 64 GB, can be expanded using a microSD card
- Android Version: Android 10 (Android One)
- Camera: 13MP (Wide)+ 5MP (Ultrawide) + 2MP (Macro) + 2MP (depth), 8MP front facing one
- Battery: 4,000 mAh removable battery
Unboxing the Nokia 5.3
These are all the things you should expect to find in the box when you unbox the Nokia 5.3.
- The Phone (Nokia 5.3)
- Sim ejector tool
- Silicon case
- USB Cable
- Charging adapter
- Earphones
- User Guide
First Impressions
The Nokia 5.3 reminds me of the Lumia 720 that I reviewed years back. The back is made of plastic and is polished to give it a very smooth feel. If it is too slippery for you, you can use the free silicone case provided in the box to add some grip. In addition to the silicone case in the box, HMD Global also provided me with an addition Kevlar case.
Still on the back of the phone is where we find the circular camera module that is made up of a 13MP main sensor, a 5MP ultrawide sensor, 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor. The back camera takes some good shots but I feel like the saturation is not enough and in some cases the photos may appear washed out. This is not a big deal but it is something that you will notice if you are coming from another smartphone with a different camera.
The fingerprint sensor is below the camera module and works perfectly. It is within easy reach when you are holding the phone and besides unlocking the phone, it can also be used to authorize purchases and app access.
The power and volume buttons are on the right of the phone. The power button has a LED notification light that pulsates in a breathing manner whenever you get a notification. A small but useful addition. On the left of the phone is a dedicated button to launch Google Assistant. This will be very useful for those who interact with this digital assistant on a regular basis.
The headphone jack is at the top section of the phone with the USB C port, microphone and speakers on the base.
Flipping the phone to the display, we get to see the huge 6.55-inch display that unfortunately only has a 720p resolution. At Ksh 21,000, I was expecting Full HD resolution but it is not what we are getting. This display is still good, gets very bright for use in different lighting conditions and its brightness automatically adjusts depending on the lighting around you.
For performance, the Snapdragon 665 does a good job, it handles tasks with ease and I have been very impressed. I will use the phone extensively and see if my sentiments will remain the same in the full review. The 6GB of RAM the review unit comes with ensures multitasking on this phone is a breeze.
So far, I have been thoroughly impressed with this phone. The display resolution is not necessarily the best and the camera is average at best but most other things about it are good. Watch out for the full review of this phone coming up in a week