Nokia 8.1 vs. Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) vs. Xiaomi Poco F1: Specs, Features, Price

The Nokia 8.1 is a re-branded model of the Nokia X7 which launched in the Chinese market. It is the latest handset from HMD Global in the Indian market and shows that the company is just as committed to the high-end handsets as its popular mid-range devices. Coming with a price tag of Rs. 26,999, the latest Nokia 8.1 will join the competition in the sub-Rs. 30,000 segment with the few-month-old Nokia 7 Plus.

However, it will not be easy for HMD to compete in the sub-Rs. 30,000 segment, given the quality of the current options. The Nokia 8.1 will compete against the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) and Xiaomi Poco F1 in this particular segment, with these handsets being two solid competitors. How does the Nokia 8.1 compare to the other two handsets?

Nokia 8.1 vs. Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) vs. Xiaomi Poco F1: Specifications and Software

These three devices come with different SoCs, with the Xiaomi Poco F1 being the leader in this aspect as it comes with possibly the best among three - the Snapdragon 845 SoC. The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) features an Exynos 7885 SoC which is a mid-range chipset made by Samsung. The Nokia also sports a Qualcomm chipset, a Snapdragon 710 SoC, which is in the range between the 600 and 800-series from Qualcomm. It is still meant to be the premium chipset, but not quite top-of-the-line.

The Xiaomi Poco F1 seems to be the most powerful handset of the three with a Snapdragon 845

In terms of memory and internal storage, the Xiaomi Poco F1 is also the best of the three as it has up to 8GB RAM/256GB storage. Its base variant comes with 6GB RAM/64GB storage, which is higher than the Nokia 8.1 variant with 4GB RAM/64GB storage. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy A7 is also behind of the Poco F1 as its top-end variant has 6GB RAM/128GB storage, with 4GB RAM/64GB storage on its entry-level variant. It seems the Nokia and Samsung handsets are pretty behind in this aspect.

In the software department, both Xiaomi and Nokia handsets run the latest Android 9.0 Pie, with the Xiaomi device running MIUI 10 and the Nokia phone running on a stock version of Android-based the Android One programme. Meanwhile, the Samsung device still comes with Android 8 Oreo out of the box coupled with Experience UI of Samsung, making it behind of the other two. Furthermore, running a stock version of Android means that the Nokia handset can have decent performance with less RAM, but running heavy tasks might cause RAM management concern on this device.

The Nokia 8.1 has an edge in the software department with its stock version of Android 9 Pie

Nokia 8.1 vs. Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) vs. Xiaomi Poco F1: Design and Display

Both the Xiaomi Poco F1 and the Nokia 8.1 have the same 6.18-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with a notch at the top and a tall aspect ratio. The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) features a slightly smaller 6-inch FullHD+ AMOLED panel with an aspect ratio of 18.5:9, but different from the other two, its display has no notch. As both features the same screen, the Xiaomi and Nokia handsets have the same high screen-to-body ratio in comparison with the Samsung phone.

The Nokia 8.1 has the most premium design of the three

In the build quality aspect, with stylish looks and premium materials, the Nokia 8.1 is clearly winning in this aspect. You can get a glass back and a metal frame on the Nokia handset, while the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) has a glass back and a plastic frame at the front. It seems Xiaomi focuses more on the specifications for its Poco F1 as the handset only comes with a plastic body which makes it look much less premium in comparison with the Nokia and Samsung devices.

It seems Xiaomi focus more on the performance over the design on its Poco F1

And while the Samsung handset has its fingerprint scanner on the side, the Nokia and Xiaomi phones both have a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

Nokia 8.1 vs Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) vs Xiaomi Poco F1: Camera

The Nokia lineup of HMD Global has been getting a lot of praise for many aspects, except for its camera. However, the Nokia 8.1’s camera quality is improved thanks to the Snapdragon 710 SoC. The device features a dual rear camera system with a 12MP main sensor,  13MP secondary sensor for depth and zoom effects and a 20MP front-facing camera.

Nokia 8.1's rear camera setup

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018), in theory, has the best camera system among three devices. It comes with a triple rear camera system with a 24MP main sensor, 5MP depth sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and 24MP front-facing camera. The Xiaomi Poco F1 features a much less impressive camera setup with a 12MP main sensor, a 5MP secondary sensor and 20MP front-facing camera which is enabled with IR-powered face unlock.

The Galaxy A7 (2018) seems to be the leader in the camera aspect with a triple rear camera setup

Nokia 8.1 vs Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) vs Xiaomi Poco F1: Price and Availability

All three handsets in this comparison fall in the similar price range, but it still depends on their variants. When it comes to the starting price, the Nokia handset comes is set at the highest price of Rs. 26,999. While the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) is a bit cheaper with a starting price of Rs. 23,990 for the 4GB of RAM/64GB of storage variant, the Xiaomi Poco F1 is the cheapest among three handsets with a starting price of only Rs. 19,999. Even the top-end variant of the Xiaomi handset only costs Rs. 27,999, only Rs. 1,000 higher than the Nokia’s while it has 8GB of RAM/256GB of storage which is significantly better than the other two phones.

The Nokia 8.1 and Galaxy A7 (2017) offer less value in the specification department compared to the Poco F1

While Xiaomi only offers its Poco F1 mostly on online channels, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) and Nokia 8.1 have an edge with a wider offline availability which makes it easier for consumers to buy these handsets. Both Samsung and Nokia devices are also available to purchase online, through some key e-retailers.

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