[Update: Launched in US] Nokia 2.2 with Android One, up to 3GB RAM will be the cheapest smartphone to get Android Q

HMD Global has been going strong on the strength of the Nokia brand name and offering smartphones across various price segments. Today, at an event in India, the company revealed the Nokia 2.2 which will be the most affordable Android One smartphone from the company as part of its new lineup in 2019. While the Nokia 2.2 will be available globally for approximately €99, it is first coming to India at starting a price of ₹6999.

The Nokia 2.2, in spite of its entry-level pricing, dons a modern look with a large 5.71-inch display that has a waterdrop notch on the top. The display, as per Nokia, can go as bright as 400 nits. There are considerably thick bezels around the display but that is not something to complain about at this price.

The smartphone comes with a removable polycarbonate back with a reflective finish over it that gives it an attractive appearance. Another highlight of the Nokia 2.2 is the dedicated Google Assistant button along the left edge which can be used to wake the Assistant without saying any hotwords.

In terms of performance, the Nokia 2.2 is equipped with a quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 SoC compared to the Snapdragon 425 on the Nokia 2.1. The smartphone will come in two variants – 2GB RAM/16GB storage and 3GB RAM/32GB storage. For security, while there’s no fingerprint scanner, the Nokia 2.2 will feature AI face unlock. Furthermore, it is powered by a 3,000mAh removable battery.

In terms of camera, the smartphone features a 13MP single camera with flash on the back. On the front, there’s a 5MP camera for selfie. The camera is capable of AutoHDR and uses something called a “low-light image fusion” technology to fill light in dimly lit scenarios.

One of the USPs of the Nokia 2.2 remains to be its support for two years of OS updates and three years of security updates. Currently, the smartphone runs Android 9 Pie out of the box and HMD Global proudly claims that it will be the most affordable smartphone to get Android Q and probably the only smartphone in this segment to get a timely update. Aside from updates up to Android R, the smartphone will get three years of security updates under the company’s commitment to keeping devices up to date. We’ll have to see where it sits on the company’s priority list in terms of the update roll-out.

The Nokia 2.2 comes in two colors – Black and Steel (grayish) – and can be bought in India starting June 11th. The 2GB/16GB variant costs ₹6999 (~$100) while the 3GB/32GB variant comes for ₹7999 (~$115). You will soon be able to pre-book it via Nokia phones page. In the future, Nokia will also sell swappable Xpress-on covers for the smartphone.

Additionally, the Nokia 2.2 should be launched in Europe soon with a price tag of €99 but the exact date of availability is not confirmed yet.

Update: Launched in US

The Nokia 2.2 is now available in the US from Best Buy and Amazon for just $139. As mentioned in the original article above, HMD Global will be updating the device to Android Q and they claim it will be the most affordable phone to get the update. The Nokia 2.2 is unlocked and can work on AT&T, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, Cricket, Mint, etc. Both Amazon and Best Buy have the 3GB + 32GB model in Black and Steel color options.

Amazon, Best Buy

Source: PR Newswire