Nokia 7.2 Smartphone Review and Comparison

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Close-up of Nokia smartphone and headphones on grey surface, conveying modern technology concept.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of Nokia smartphone and headphones on grey surface, conveying modern technology concept.

The Nokia 7.2 is a solid mid-range smartphone that's worth considering. It's available in three different colors: Night Purple, Cyan Green, and Charcoal.

The phone's design is a key highlight, with a sleek and premium feel that belies its affordable price tag. The 6.3-inch screen is a great size for watching videos or browsing the web.

One of the standout features of the Nokia 7.2 is its camera system, which includes a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. This combination allows for some impressive portrait mode shots.

The phone's processor and RAM are also worth noting, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chip and 4GB or 6GB of RAM to choose from. This should provide a smooth and responsive user experience.

Explore further: Motorola Edge S

Key Features

The Nokia 7.2 has a great design that's reminiscent of the Google Pixel 4, but it's not water-resistant, which is a giveaway of its mid-range status.

Its display is big and bright, but it's an LCD panel, which can't quite match the quality of OLED displays, even with its PureDisplay mode that converts content into HDR.

Performance is smooth across the board, making it easy to browse, text, stream video, play games, and take pictures.

Display

Close-up of a woman holding a Nokia smartphone running Windows operating system outdoors, showing touchscreen interface.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a woman holding a Nokia smartphone running Windows operating system outdoors, showing touchscreen interface.

The display on the Nokia 7.2 is a 6.3-inch LCD screen with a 1,080 x 2,280 resolution, which is sharp and bright. It's perfect for viewing in daylight, but keep in mind that it's not an OLED display.

The display supports HDR, which means it can show a wide range of colors and contrast levels. However, it's not as good as OLED displays in this regard.

One of the features of the display is PureDisplay mode, which converts all videos into HDR. This mode uses a Pixelworks processor to achieve this, and it offers a billion shades of color, which is much higher than the typical 16.7 million.

The PureDisplay mode does offer some benefits, such as improved vibrance and reduced compression artifacts in dark portions of video streams. However, it can also drop dark spots into near-complete blackness, which can be a drawback.

In terms of viewing angles, the display is excellent, with minimal color shift or contrast loss even when viewed from the side.

Vintage Nokia mobile phone standing upright on a wooden surface, showcasing its retro design.
Credit: pexels.com, Vintage Nokia mobile phone standing upright on a wooden surface, showcasing its retro design.

Here are some key display specs:

  • Resolution: 1,080 x 2,280
  • Screen size: 6.3 inches
  • Display type: LCD
  • HDR support: Yes
  • PureDisplay mode: Yes
  • Viewing angles: Excellent

Overall, the display on the Nokia 7.2 is good, but not exceptional. It's perfect for general use, but if you're looking for a top-notch display, you might want to consider other options.

Camera

The Nokia 7.2 camera is quite capable, but it's also a bit confusing and inconsistent. The main rear camera works best when set to 12MP, while the front-facing camera performs well at its max 20MP resolution.

The camera features a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 5MP depth sensor. The selfie camera is crisp and produces quality results, even in darker conditions.

One of the unique features of the Nokia 7.2 camera is its ability to pause and resume video capturing, a feature that's also available on other Nokia smartphones like the 2.2, 3.2, and 4.2. You can also toggle on and off the PureDisplay effect completely and adjust its settings individually.

Mobile phone on wooden table showing installation screen for WHO Info app from World Health Organization.
Credit: pexels.com, Mobile phone on wooden table showing installation screen for WHO Info app from World Health Organization.

The camera has some limitations, though. The wide-angle camera has an impressive 118-degree Field of View, but its image quality is rubbish. It's best used for basic shots, but for serious pictures, you're better off ignoring it.

Here are the camera details:

  • Rear camera: 48MP main + 8MP ultra-wide + 5MP depth
  • Selfie Camera: 20MP with 4-in-1 pixel binning for enhanced image quality

The Nokia 7.2 camera also offers some advanced features, like Dual-Sight mode, which lets you snap or record using the front and rear camera at the same time. However, the rear camera quality tanks when using this mode.

Intriguing read: Nokia E73 Mode

Battery

The Nokia 7.2's battery life is a mixed bag. The phone's 3,500mAh battery is good enough for a whole day, but it's one of the weaker points in an otherwise above-average package.

Our video test drained 24% of the battery after just 90 minutes, which is higher than we've seen on most other phones. This suggests that the Nokia 7.2 may not be ideal for binge streaming sessions unless you're willing to lower the brightness.

A Battery on a Red Base Circuit Board
Credit: pexels.com, A Battery on a Red Base Circuit Board

The phone's charging speed is also a bit of a letdown. 15 minutes of charging only brought the battery up to 17% charge, and a half hour got it to 34%. That's not exactly fast charging.

On the other hand, some users have reported excellent battery life with heavy usage. In real-life conditions, one reviewer got around 34-36 hours of battery life with heavy usage, including lots of browsing, apps testing, and attending calls.

Here's a rough estimate of the battery life you can expect:

  • Heavy usage: 34-36 hours
  • Moderately heavy usage: 36-40 hours
  • Screen-on time: 6.5-7.5 hours for heavy usage

Reviews and Verdict

The Nokia 7.2 offers a premium design at a mid-range price, with a look and feel not too unlike the new Google Pixel 4. Its design is great, with a premium looking glass unibody design featuring a new polymer composite frame.

The phone's performance is smooth across the board, making browsing, texting, streaming video, gaming, and snapping pictures all happen with ease. Performance is handled by the Snapdragon 660 processor, which has proven its potential in previous Nokia models.

Credit: youtube.com, Nokia 7.2 review

The Nokia 7.2 has a big and bright display, but the LCD panel doesn't quite live up to OLED displays, even with its PureDisplay mode that converts content into HDR. The display is still great for everyday use, but if you're looking for the best picture quality, you might want to consider an OLED display.

Here are some of the Nokia 7.2's key features:

  • Premium looking glass unibody design with new polymer composite frame
  • Enhanced HDR10 PureDisplay with best-in-class color interpretation, contrast, high brightness, and outdoor readability.
  • Performance wise capable with Snapdragon 660 processor
  • Both Cameras show their potential in our tests.

TechRadar Verdict

The Nokia 7.2 offers premium design and solid performance at a mid-range price. It's a great value for the price.

The phone's design is a major highlight, but it's not the only thing that's impressive. The Nokia 7.2 also delivers solid performance.

However, the phone tries to go above and beyond with features like a wide-angle camera, but it stumbles in this area. The camera is not as good as some other phones in this price range.

Positives

The Nokia 7.2 has a premium looking glass unibody design with a new polymer composite frame. It's a great looking phone that's not too unlike the new Google Pixel 4.

Black and Silver Camera
Credit: pexels.com, Black and Silver Camera

The display is big and bright, with an Enhanced HDR10 PureDisplay that offers best-in-class color interpretation, contrast, high brightness, and outdoor readability. This means you'll get a great viewing experience even in bright sunlight.

The Nokia 7.2 is powered by the capable Snapdragon 660 processor, which provides smooth performance across the board. Whether you're browsing, texting, streaming video, gaming, or snapping pictures, everything happens with ease.

Here are some of the key positives of the Nokia 7.2:

  • Premium looking glass unibody design with new polymer composite frame
  • Enhanced HDR10 PureDisplay with best-in-class color interpretation, contrast, high brightness, and outdoor readability
  • Performance wise capable with Snapdragon 660 processor
  • Both Cameras show their potential in our tests, much improved camera over Nokia 7.1 and does better than Nokia 8.1 too

Release and Price

The Nokia 7.2 is available in the US for $349, which gets you 128GB of storage and 4GB of RAM.

You can also get the UK version with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM for £249.99.

The top model with 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM will set you back AU$549 in Australia, while the 64GB/4GB model will be available on Telstra for AU$499.

The US model is unlocked, giving you carrier freedom, and it also comes with a microSD card slot for expandable storage.

The Android One experience includes some free cloud storage and a pure Android operating system.

In-Depth Analysis

Credit: youtube.com, Nokia 7.2 In-Depth Review: The Legend Goes Strong! 💪

The Nokia 7.2's performance is smooth across the board, making it a great choice for everyday tasks.

The phone's Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset and 4GB or 6GB of RAM ensure seamless browsing, texting, streaming video, gaming, and snapping pictures.

In Geekbench tests, the Nokia 7.2 earned a 5,910 multi-core score in Geekbench 4, putting it ahead of the Google Pixel 3a.

The phone's audio is also quite impressive, with loud and clean sound even at maximum volume.

The Nokia 7.2 features dependable 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC for contactless payments.

Here are the camera details:

  • Rear camera:
  • Selfie Camera: The 20MP selfie camera can also utilize 4-in-1 pixel binning to enhance image quality.

The Nokia 7.2's rear camera impressed us with capturing detailed images that also capture accurate colors in all cases.

Design

The Nokia 7.2 has a premium looking glass unibody design with a new polymer composite frame that feels great in the hand.

The frame is made of metal and a special polymer that's twice as strong as regular polycarbonate, giving it a sturdy feel.

Delighted female relatives sitting together on wooden bench in park and browsing mobile phone while learning using
Credit: pexels.com, Delighted female relatives sitting together on wooden bench in park and browsing mobile phone while learning using

The front and back of the phone are covered in Gorilla Glass, while the rear has a frosted finish that makes it feel extra smooth.

The phone's corner curves match well with the curves around the display, creating a seamless look.

The Nokia 7.2's design is reminiscent of the Google Pixel 4, but at a lower price point.

Here's a breakdown of the phone's dimensions:

  • Weight: 180 grams
  • Length: 159.92 mm
  • Width: 75.15 mm
  • Thickness: 8.25 mm

The phone comes in three colors: Charcoal, Cyan Green, and Ice, which extend beyond the rear glass to include the frame as well.

Performance and Software

The Nokia 7.2 is a smooth-running phone, thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset and 4GB or 6GB of RAM.

This combination makes it easy to handle basic and advanced tasks, including browsing, gaming, and handling many apps and games open in the background. However, if you push the phone to the limit with three heavy games open, apps and games may start restarting rather than resuming.

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Black Android Smartphone Near Laptop
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The phone runs on stock Android, which means it's free from bloatware and has a simple, intuitive interface. Plus, it's part of the Android One program, which promises 2 years of software upgrades and 3 years of monthly security updates.

In our tests, the Nokia 7.2 earned a 5,910 multi-core score in Geekbench 4, putting it ahead of the Google Pixel 3a. It also earned a 1,488 multi-core score in Geekbench 5.

Here are some key specs to keep in mind:

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset
  • 4GB or 6GB of RAM
  • Android 9 Pie (with Android 10 promised soon)

Overall, the Nokia 7.2 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a smooth and reliable Android experience.

Detailed Camera Review

The Nokia 7.2's camera is a mixed bag, with some impressive features and some notable drawbacks. The main rear camera works best when set to 12MP resolution, producing good results in various lighting conditions.

The selfie camera is a standout feature, delivering crisp and quality results even in darker conditions. It can also utilize 4-in-1 pixel binning to enhance image quality.

Person Holding Black Android Smartphone
Credit: pexels.com, Person Holding Black Android Smartphone

The wide-angle camera, on the other hand, is a letdown, offering rubbish image quality that falls short of the primary sensor's capabilities. It's best to ignore it for serious photography.

The Nokia 7.2 also features a nifty Dual-Sight mode, which allows for simultaneous front and rear camera use. However, the rear camera quality suffers when using this mode.

Here are the camera details:

  • Rear camera: 48MP main + 8MP ultra-wide + 5MP depth
  • Selfie camera: 20MP with 4-in-1 pixel binning

The camera UI has been improved, with new features like Night Mode and PureDisplay options. You can now toggle on and off the PureDisplay effect completely and control individual features like Dynamic mode and white balance.

The Nokia 7.2's camera performance is capable, but it's not without its quirks. For example, the portrait mode can produce hazy edges, and the digital zoom can result in grainy images.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life on the Nokia 7.2 is a mixed bag. The phone's 3,500mAh battery is good enough for a whole day, but it's not ideal for binge streaming sessions.

Credit: youtube.com, Battery 101: Mastering Depth of Discharge (DOD) vs Capacity

Our video test showed that the battery drained 24% in just 90 minutes, which is higher than average. This suggests that the phone may not be the best choice for heavy users.

On the other hand, some users have reported excellent battery life, with one reviewer getting around 34-36 hours of battery life with heavy usage. This is impressive, especially considering the phone's screen-on time typically ranges from 6.5-7.5 hours.

Charging the phone is also a bit of a letdown. 15 minutes of charging only brought the phone up to 17% charge, and a half hour got it to 34%. This is not fast charging by any means.

Here's a rough estimate of the phone's battery life based on usage level:

  • Light usage: 2 days
  • Moderate usage: 36-40 hours
  • Heavy usage: 34-36 hours

Positives & Negatives:

The Nokia 7.2 has many positives that make it a great option for those in the market for a new smartphone. It has a premium looking glass unibody design with a new polymer composite frame.

Girl Uses Smartphone
Credit: pexels.com, Girl Uses Smartphone

The phone's display is a highlight, with an Enhanced HDR10 PureDisplay that offers best-in-class color interpretation, contrast, high brightness, and outdoor readability.

Performance-wise, the Nokia 7.2 is capable with a Snapdragon 660 processor, which provides smooth performance across the board for tasks like browsing, texting, streaming video, gaming, and snapping pictures.

The phone's cameras are also a major plus, with both cameras showing their potential in our tests and performing better than the Nokia 7.1 and Nokia 8.1.

Here are some of the key positives of the Nokia 7.2:

  • Premium looking glass unibody design with new polymer composite frame
  • Enhanced HDR10 PureDisplay with best-in-class color interpretation, contrast, high brightness, and outdoor readability
  • Performance-wise capable with Snapdragon 660 processor
  • Both Cameras show their potential in our tests

On the other hand, there are some minor negatives to consider. The phone's lack of water resistance is a testament to its mid-range status.

The camera app can occasionally be slow to launch, and the phone can struggle to recognize faces when there's a strong backlight behind the user.

However, these negatives are relatively minor and don't detract from the overall positive experience of using the Nokia 7.2.

Comparison and Review

Credit: youtube.com, Nokia 5.3 vs Nokia 7.2 | Best Nokia Midranger?

The Nokia 7.2 camera is a standout feature of this smartphone. It has a bigger sensor and pixel-binning, which impressed us with capturing detailed images.

The rear camera delivers accurate colors in all cases, a feat that even the Nokia 8.1 camera couldn't match. In fact, the Nokia 7.2 camera shined by capturing true colors, unlike the Nokia 8.1 camera which got the color wrong.

The camera also keeps exposure and White Balance correct, making it a better choice than the Nokia 8.1 camera in this regard. This means you can rely on the Nokia 7.2 to capture well-lit and naturally colored images.

The selfie camera is also a strong point, capturing very good selfies in most cases.

Differences Between 6.1 and 6.2

The Nokia 6.2 and 6.1 may seem like identical twins, but they do have some key differences.

The Nokia 6.2 has a higher megapixel count on its main rear camera (16 MP to 48 MP) and front camera (8 MP to 20 MP) compared to the Nokia 6.1.

See what others are reading: Nokia 6.1 plus Imei Number

Top view composition of mobile phone placed near USB flash drive and mini gimbal camera on wooden table with green foliage
Credit: pexels.com, Top view composition of mobile phone placed near USB flash drive and mini gimbal camera on wooden table with green foliage

One notable difference is the camera app on the Nokia 7.2 (not 6.2 or 6.1) has Zeiss branded effects that aim to replicate the effects of Zeiss lenses.

The Nokia 6.2 comes with more storage options, starting at 32 GB, while the Nokia 7.2 starts at 64 GB.

The Nokia 6.2 is available in Ceramic Black and Ice colors, whereas the Nokia 7.2 comes in Charcoal, Cyan Green, and Ice colors.

Here's a quick comparison of the two phones:

Cons

The Nokia 7.2 has some notable drawbacks. The wide-angle camera is a let-down, failing to impress in its performance.

Slow charging is another issue with this device. It takes longer than expected to top up the battery.

The HDR capabilities of the Nokia 7.2 are also unimpressive. This might be a concern for those who value high-quality visuals.

Here are the cons in a concise list:

  • Wide-angle camera is a let-down
  • Slow charging
  • Unimpressive HDR

Competition

The competition in the smartphone market is fierce, and the Nokia 7.2 has some solid alternatives to consider.

Selective Focus Photography of Person Holding Turned on Smartphone
Credit: pexels.com, Selective Focus Photography of Person Holding Turned on Smartphone

One such option is the Samsung Galaxy A52, which offers a similar camera setup and a slightly larger display.

The Google Pixel 4a is another alternative, with a more streamlined interface and a better camera in some lighting conditions.

The OnePlus 7T is also worth considering, with a faster processor and a sleeker design.

The Oppo Reno 3 Pro is another option, with a high refresh rate display and a long-lasting battery.

The Huawei P30 Pro is a more premium option, with a periscope lens and a higher megapixel count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nokia 7.2 discontinued?

Yes, the Nokia 7.2 is discontinued, but its legacy lives on in the Nokia Anew series.

Ismael Anderson

Lead Writer

Ismael Anderson is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a focus on technical topics, he has established himself as a reliable source for readers seeking in-depth knowledge on complex subjects. His writing portfolio showcases a range of expertise, including articles on cloud computing and storage solutions, such as AWS S3.

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