Highly capable smartphones that cost $400 will do everything many people would want from a mobile, but what about phones that cost half that much? HMD Global’s Nokia 5.3 costs just $199, or 149 British pounds, yet after using the phone for a week, I can safely say it doesn’t feel like you’re halving the quality and ability of a more expensive model — in most areas, at least. The Nokia 5.3 will surprise you with its features, software, and overall ability as an everyday smartphone. No, the camera and the screen aren’t up there with the best models, but you shouldn’t expect them to be. Buy the Nokia 5.3 knowing what it can and can’t do beforehand, and you’ll get one of the best smartphone values I’ve seen in a while. The rear panel on the Nokia 5.3 is made from a composite plastic material which is grippy but lacks a pleasant texture. It also has some flex to it and curves around the side to meet the plastic frame, which then leads into the 6.55-inch screen. The phone is 8.5mm thick and ...
Two-day battery life; Large screen size; Two years of software updates; NFC for Google Pay;
Camera disappoints; Screen lacks brightness;