Nokia 8.1 spotted with mid-range specs and Android 9 Pie

by Cosmin Vasile / Oct 20, 2018, 1:32 AM

Nokia 8

Although HMD Global recently revealed a handful of new devices like the Nokia 7.1, Nokia 3.1 Plus and Nokia 2V, the Finnish company has even more surprises for fans of the brand. No, we won't be talking about the elusive Nokia 9, HMD's upcoming flagship, but the device we've just learned about seems to be the successor of the Nokia 8, one of the most powerful smartphones launched by the company to date.

A new Nokia 8.1 phone has just been spotted at Geekbench, one of the largest benchmark databases for smartphones. Along with the name of the unannounced handset, the listing reveals some of its specs like chipset, RAM and OS version.

Unlike the Nokia 8 which is powered by a top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, the Nokia 8.1 is equipped with a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 CPU, which is complemented by 4GB RAM.

The good news is this time HMD has decided that it's time to bring a phone to the market that runs Google's latest Android 9 Pie out of the box. These are all the details that appear at Geekbench, but the Nokia 8.1 is probably going to pop up at other benchmarks in the coming weeks, so we'll probably learn more soon.

However, it will be interesting to find out when exactly HMD Global plans to announce the Nokia 8.1, although there's a high chance the phone will not be introduced this year to avoid cannibalization of Nokia 7.1's sales.

source: Geekbench via AndroidPure

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View Full specs

Display 6.2" 1080 x 2280 pixels

Camera 12 MP / 20 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 710, Octa-core, 2200 MHz

Storage 64 GB + microSDXC

Battery 3500 mAh

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33 Comments

1. STRANG3R

Posts: 234; Member since: Sep 24, 2015

Maybe 8.1 for europe and USA and x7 is for asian countries like they did with x6 and 7.1

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 2:51 AM 5

8. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

That is most probably what it is. I think a lot of people are just ignorant of these facts. People seem to just not be aware that HMD releases certain smartphones that are region specific, which is a strategy that is working out well for them.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 9:43 AM 7

11. Venom

Posts: 3272; Member since: Dec 14, 2017

If they are going to do that, they should have done it from the start. I don't get why they can't just simplify it and keep things organized. I don't see why they never released the 7 Plus in the US. Would have been a good idea to get it over.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 11:32 AM 0

2. Venom

Posts: 3272; Member since: Dec 14, 2017

I think Nokia needs better marketing to help differentiate the many devices they seem to release because most of them feel like derivatives of each other.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 3:57 AM 3

14. rkoforever90

Posts: 417; Member since: Dec 03, 2011

HMD key focus is on market like China or India and these market don't work like U.S. even a difference of 10$ could affect the purchasing decision of the people. So they are doing what these market demands launch as many phones in the 150-300$ price range with newer models every couple of months so that the new models keep the potential consumers in intrest.

posted on Oct 21, 2018, 10:48 AM 3

15. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

Absolutely agree. But there are those that choose to remain ignorant of this, preferring to attack an OEM as opposed to attempting to understand business strategies that companies take in different regions due to the demands of those markets.

posted on Oct 21, 2018, 10:53 AM 3

20. Venom

Posts: 3272; Member since: Dec 14, 2017

No one is attacking anyone like you are doing.

posted on Oct 24, 2018, 9:57 AM 1

3. Pedros

Posts: 4; Member since: Oct 20, 2018

For what it seems, triple camera and no fingerprint sensor at the back … maybe a bumped up version of the 7.1 Plus with better cameras and on screen finger print… but i agree … too many variations … I was hoping to buy a Nokia in a near future but i'm having second thoughts about this because, release new phones that are so close to each other in terms of market segmentation get consumers confused and frustrated (you buy a 7.1 Plus and 1 month after, you get a bumped up version … )

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 4:52 AM 2

4. Venom

Posts: 3272; Member since: Dec 14, 2017

I agree. They are releasing too many of the same phones in close proximity to each other. They need to slow down and get a little more organized.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 5:35 AM 2

7. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

I’m pretty sure that this smartphone won’t be released too close to the 7.1 or 7.1 Plus. As one can plainly see if paying attention, HMD has been releasing smartphones in different regions of the market to avoid cannibalization in said regions. When people see smartphones on Geekbench and such, they immediately think that a new smartphone is being released imminently, and that’s not the case. These smartphones that pop up there seemingly out of nowhere are usually in the testing phase, and won’t be released for months, at minimum. Besides, HMD has been steadily growing both sales and market share, becoming a top 5 European brand and they are in the top 10 global smartphone market, and all in just over 2 years. That is a good indication that there strategy that they’ve been applying to the smartphone market is working out well for them. You have a certain OEM that has come to market with a smartphone product shortly after them and others that have been in the game for quite some time now, and they are neither growing sales or market share.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 9:38 AM 4

24. Venom

Posts: 3272; Member since: Dec 14, 2017

It's not that serious MG. You get so emotional about Nokia and it's hilarious.

posted on Oct 24, 2018, 9:31 PM 0

30. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

Lol, it’s not that serious, V. You’re getting triggered by every HMD article and it’s beyond hilarious, especially when you can’t counter the facts.

posted on Oct 24, 2018, 10:34 PM 0

9. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

Also, if you’re going by the photo in the op to describe how the phone looks, you’re incorrect. That’s the Nokia 8 in the photo, and it has dual cameras in the back, not triple, with a fingerprint sensor in the front. It has dual LED flash at the back as well.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 10:06 AM 3

25. Venom

Posts: 3272; Member since: Dec 14, 2017

Once again, it's not that serious.

posted on Oct 24, 2018, 9:36 PM 0

31. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

So stop taking it so serious then with getting triggered by HMD articles every time one gets posted.

posted on Oct 24, 2018, 10:36 PM 0

5. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

I like the fact that HMD is releasing a decent amount of smartphones for deeper penetration (PAUSE) into the midrange market. Completion is fierce there as it’s the segment of the market where Android manufacturers see the most gains, and many OEM’s that release smartphones for this segment of the market are fiercely pushing out smartphones as well. I’m patiently waiting for that Nokia branded high end flagship, but HMD has certainly been pushing out some compelling mid rangers.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 9:23 AM 5

6. D34ever

Posts: 221; Member since: Jul 14, 2018

Nokia is becoming like Moto, too many phones and lacking focus. Their lineup is getting confusing.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 9:26 AM 2

10. Venom

Posts: 3272; Member since: Dec 14, 2017

I agree. It has become a jumbled mess despite what some people believe. Nokia doesn't have a clear focus and it seems like they are just tossing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks. Not a sound business plan if you ask me.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 11:30 AM 0

13. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

I disagree. It’s not a jumbled mess at all, despite what some people believe. I think the real confusion for people is that they still believe Nokia makes smartphones, when they have HMD as a licensee doing this for them. Although I personally don’t see what’s confusing about this. Microsoft, for example, has licensees, and they no longer make smartphones. HMD has a clear focus on what it takes to sell Nokia branded smartphones, and it’s evident in the documented facts of increased sales and market share. A sound business plan indeed, and the documented facts back this up.

posted on Oct 20, 2018, 11:44 AM 3

27. Venom

Posts: 3272; Member since: Dec 14, 2017

That's the sound of no one caring. You talk about me taking potshots, yet here you are taking multiple shots.

posted on Oct 24, 2018, 9:39 PM 0

32. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

Lol, except you care, and that’s why you’re responding to me. You make this too easy.

posted on Oct 24, 2018, 10:36 PM 0

16. ebfields

Posts: 29; Member since: Apr 13, 2013

Welcome to the NEW BLU company. Soon nobody will choose Nokia since they'll be confused by way too much phones to choose from and just go with another brand. Hail BLU the 2nd!!!

posted on Oct 22, 2018, 8:21 AM 0

17. meanestgenius

Posts: 21600; Member since: May 28, 2014

Lol, pretty sure that's not what's happening, or what's going to happen. Increasing sales and market share prove otherwise.

posted on Oct 22, 2018, 9:33 AM 2

18. ebfields

Posts: 29; Member since: Apr 13, 2013

Lol. True that. I'm just teasing. Nokia has really earned my respect and I'm really looking forward to a master flagship from the brand. I am personally happy that good ole Nokia hasn't faded into memory even if people argue thAt HMD isn't Nokia.