The latest Nokia 5.4 is a good combination of the best Android experience and intriguing performance standing apart in the competition. The Finland-based HMD Global has launched a series of outstanding devices in the past decade that has established it as one of the best-selling smartphone brands in the European market.
Fortunately, the Nokia 5.4 offers a clean and bloatware-free stock Android experience. Similar to other Nokia handsets, you’re getting 2 years of operating system updates and 3 years of monthly security updates. However, why you’ll be getting a lot of advantages, be ready to sacrifice a lot of flagship hardware features that aren’t available in this smartphone. Why this might sound like a drawback to you, the Nokia 5.4 still offers a lot of intriguing features that make it one of the best in the affordable segment.
Meanwhile, the mid-range market has gotten quite exciting with a lot of brands offering higher-end specs at low prices. We’ve had the Nokia 5.4 for a while now and found out that such a stock Android experience comes with a bit of compromise.
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Nokia 5.4 Key Specifications
| Front Camera: | 16-megapixel |
| Rear Camera: | 48-megapixel + 5-megapixel + 2-megapixel + 2-megapixel |
| RAM: | 4GB /6GB |
| ROM/Storage: | 64GB /128GB |
| Processor: | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 |
| Battery Capacity: | 4000mAh |
| OS: | Android 10 |
| Display: | 6.39-inch IPS LCD |
| Resolution: | 720 x 1560 pixels |
Price of Nokia 5.4
| Price in Naira | Price in Dollar |
| Starts from ₦115,000 | Starts at $320 |
Nokia 5.4 Review: Design and Build-up
The Nokia 5.4 comes with outstanding aesthetics built with plastic rear and glass screen. The phone is available in Polar Night (Blue) and Dusk color options which look gorgeous with fine deep diagonal lines. Also, there’s a circular camera arrangement that sits at the top middle corner with the fingerprint sensor perfectly positioned below it for easy reach. However, the plastic body is a dust and fingerprint magnet, making you rely on the provided silicon case for protection.
Fortunately, despite the classy look, the Nokia 5.4 weighs light at just 181g, thanks to its plastic build-up. However, this plastic build-up makes it prone to damage especially when you press it down with a force that brings out a little resistance and feels cheap. Contrary, this is more preferable to a glass finish as it’ll make it less prone after a drop and will help keep the phone’s weight down.
Nokia equipped the phone with a Google Assistant button on the left corner with the volume rocker and power button perfectly positioned on the right. On the top is the 3.5mm headphone jack which is an added advantage to the wired fans as it’ll save you some cash of buying or spending on wireless Bluetooth headphones. Meanwhile, the USB-C port and speaker grill are placed on the bottom corner.
Nokia 5.4 Review: Display
While the Nokia 5.4 lacks a 90Hz refresh rate that’s on most flagship devices, you’re getting a regular 60Hz unit. The HD+ resolution is showing a decent level of sharpness at a 6.3-inch IPS LCD. Unlike most phones, the colors are bright with enough brightness, but it fails on saturation with whites being below average.
However, you’ve got a punch hole notch to deal with and the touch-sensitivity is great too. Also, streaming movies on YouTube or Netflix was a memorable experience on this device, thanks to the Widewine L1 certification.
Nokia 5.4 Review: Cameras
On the camera side, images are shot by a 48-MP primary shooter at default which is accompanied by a 5-MP ultra-wide sensor, 2-MP macro lens, and another 2-MP depth sensor. The front panel is occupied by a 16-MP selfie camera.
The Nokia 5.4 images are quite clean, with enough details and adequate colors. Daylight shots look good with impressive sharpness which is rare to find on a smartphone of this price. On the contrary, lowlight shots are filled with noise especially when the Night Mode is off. However, Night Mode will deliver a better result with more controlled brighter highlights.
Nokia 5.4 Review: Hardware, Performance, and Software
The Nokia 5.4 has a very smooth performance with a few slowdowns when you push it beyond its limit. Fortunately, this is one of the best-performing devices with 4GB RAM and 128GB built-in storage. This is coupled with a Snapdragon 662 chipset for a bloatware-free smooth experience.
In terms of gaming, you’re getting a decent gaming performance, but it’s quite below the competition. However, the Adreno 610 GPU was able to play PUGB with at low graphics setting smoothly. Other intensive games like Asphalt 9, Call of Duty, and God of War stuttered a bit after a long gaming time.
The smartphone runs on a stock version of Android 10 out of the box and should be able to run the latest Android 11. This offers a clean bloatware-free experience and comes with a lot of customization options. Another good alternative to this stock Android experience is the Xiaomi Mi A3 which costs higher.
Nokia 5.4 Review: Battery Capacity
The Nokia 5.4 is powered by a 4000mAh battery that easily lasts for 48-hour on moderate use. However, on heavy use like streaming videos online, checking emails, gaming, and a couple of calls, we end up having a 30% battery life.
However, we’re disappointed with the Nokia 5.4 charging speed. Bundled with a 10W charger in the box, you’re getting from 0-50% in an hour and a full battery in 2-hour. This is quite slow compared to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max (33W) and Realme Narzo 20 Pro (65W).
Nokia 5.4 Review: Price in Nigeria and Availability
The Nokia 5.4 starts at ₦75,000 (roughly $192) for the 4GB of RAM and 64GB variant. Meanwhile, you can get the 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage variant for a retail price of ₦90,000 (about $230). At this price point, the Nokia 5.4 is slightly above the Poco M3 at ₦70,000 (equivalent to $179) and below Realme 7 5G selling at ₦130,000 (roughly $332).
The Nokia 5.4 was globally launched and released on December 15, 2020, and has been available for purchase at gadgetmarts.ng and any leading online or offline phone store in Nigeria.
Nokia 5.4 Full Specifications
General specs
- Brand: Nokia
- Model: 5.4
- Release Date: December 15, 2020
- Operating System: Android 10
- Weight: 181g
- Colors: Polar Night, Dusk
Display
- Touchscreen: YES
- Type: IPS LCD
- Display Size: 6.39-inch
- Screen Resolution: 720 x 1560 pixels
- Dimensions: 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
- Facelock Support: YES
- In-display fingerprint scanner: No
- Sensors: fingerprint (rear-mounted)
Platform
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
- GPU: Adreno 610
Memory
- RAM: 4GB /6GB
- Inbuilt Storage: 64GB /128GB
- SD Card slot: Yes, (dedicated slot)
Camera
- Rear Flash: LED Flashlight
- Rear Camera: 48-MP f/1.8 (wide), 5-MP (ultra-wide), 2-MP (macro), 2-MP (depth)
- Video: 1080p@30 fps
- Front Camera: 16-MP f/2.0 (wide)
- Front Flash: —
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi: YES
- Bluetooth: 4.2
- USB: MicroUSB 2.0
- GPS: YES
- WLAN: YES
Network
- SIM: Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
- Technology: GSM | HSPA | LTE
- 3G Support: Yes
- 4G/ LTE Support: Yes
- 5G Support: No
Battery
- Capacity: Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
- Fast Charge: 10W
