Nokia X30 5G and G60 5G unveiled with SD695, a promise of 3 OS updates

2022-09-04

HMD Global is making a big push for sustainability with its IFA 2022 announcements – its new devices are built using recycled materials and the company is also launching a new Circular subscription to extend the usable life of devices and reduce the e-waste produced when people upgrade.

Nokia X30 5G

The latest X-series model has a metal frame made out of 100% recycled aluminum while the plastic back is made out of 65% recycled material. Even the retail box is made up of 94% recycled paper (all of it FSC-certified). And, of course, there is no included charger in the box, making it smaller and easier to transport.

The Nokia X30 5G itself brings a 6.43” AMOLED display – a change in course for HMD, which hasn’t used AMOLED since the Nokia 9 PureView. It is an FHD+ panel (20:9) with 90Hz refresh rate and 450 nits typical brightness (700 nits peak). The display is guarded by Gorilla Glass Victus.

The rear camera also has Corning protection – Gorilla Glass DX+. It sits in front of a 50MP main camera (1/1.56”, 1.0µm native pixels, 4-in-1 binning) with OIS and a 13MP ultra wide-angle camera (123°, 1/3.06”). The selfie camera has a 16MP sensor (1.0µm native pixels, but it also supports 4-in-1 binning).

The Nokia X30 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 695 – not quite a powerhouse, but a very efficient 6nm chipset. Plus, considering that HMD has been using Snapdragon 480 chips for its 5G phones, this is still a solid upgrade. There are two configurations to choose from: 6/128GB and 8/256GB (UFS 2.2 storage).

The X30 enjoys what HMD calls the “3-3-3 promise” – 3 OS updates, 3 years of security patches and an extended 3-year warranty. The phone launches With Android 12, so it should live to see v15. Also, all personal data is stored on servers located in Hamina, Finland, where it is subject to strict EU regulations. Speaking of security, there is an under display fingerprint reader and face unlock available.

The phone runs on a 4,200mAh battery that charges at 33W (USB-PD 3.0 PPS). The battery promises to hold most of its capacity after 800 cycles.

On the connectivity side there is USB-C 2.0, 5G (sub-6GHz) with dual nanoSIMs (and an eSIM available), Wi-Fi 6 (ax), Bluetooth 5.1, NFC and an IR blaster. The phone’s body is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance.

The Nokia X30 5G is rolling out globally starting today with a base price of €530 ($530/?42,000). You will be able to pick between Cloudy Blue or Ice White colorways.

Nokia G60 5G

Yet another 5G-capable G-series model, this one also takes recycling seriously – 100% of the plastic back and 60% of the plastic frame are recycled. 5G isn’t the only way this model leans towards the X-series, it also comes with the “3-3-3” promise of 3 OS updates, 3 years of security patches and an extended 3 year warranty.

The Nokia G60 5G is also powered by the Snapdragon 695 chipset, though the memory configurations are more modest – 4/64GB, 4/128GB and 6/128GB (UFS 2.2). Those that need more storage can use the microSD slot.

This phone is larger due to the 6.58” FHD+ display. It is an LCD this time, but it has a higher refresh rate of 120Hz. However, it is not as bright (400 nits typical, 500 nits peak) and only gets the older Gorilla Glass 5. Also, the front-facing camera (8MP, 1.12µm pixels, 4-in-1 binning) is in a notch rather than a punch hole.

The rear camera is less capable as well. The 50MP main sensor is smaller (1/2.5”, 0.7µm pixels, 4-in-1 binning) and lacks OIS, the ultra wide camera has a 5MP sensor (1/5”). There is a depth sensor here as well.

The battery is a bit larger at 4,500mAh (also rated for 800 cycles), but it charges slower, maxing out at 20W (USB-PD 3.0). In some markets this model will come with a 20W charger included.

This 5G phone has a hybrid two card slot – you can have either two nanoSIMs or a SIM+microSD. eSIM is still an option, so you can have both extra storage and a second phone line. There is also USB-C 2.0, Wi-Fi 6 (ax), Bluetooth 5.1 and NFC. This phone only has an IP52 rating, meaning it can survive dripping water but not immersion like the X30.

The Nokia G60 5G is also launching in stores today at a starting price of €320 ($320/?25,500).

Circular

The Circular subscription service is a new way to use select Nokia phones and tablets. You are incentivized to keep their devices longer through a range of eco-friendly awards. However, if you happen to break or lose your device, a replacement will be provided quickly without any additional monthly costs.

After a few years of use, you can send back the device and HMD will take care of it – it can refurbish and resell it or, if it’s no longer marketable, it can donate it. If even that is not an option it will recycle it.

Circular is launching in the UK and Germany first, check which devices are eligible for the service over at Nokia.com/phones. A wider rollout of Circular is planned for the following months.

Ben Wood from CCS Insight said that “Sustainability is important to customers when it comes to connected electronics devices. CCS Insight’s research shows that roughly half of consumers in key European markets believe that creating products that last longer is helpful and positive for the environment. HMD continues to encourage consumers to keep their device for longer and with Circular, it also means devices stay out of landfill. Electronic waste is an issue the whole industry must address and services like Circular are a positive step towards creating change.”