Nokia has just unveiled their first device after splitting from Microsoft: the Nokia N1. This Android tablet looks the spitting image of the iPad Mini 3, but there’s more here than meets the eye. Take a look.
Like an iPad Mini 3, but better
The design of the N1 is similar to the iPad Mini 3, but Nokia appear to have made some worthy improvements. They’ve started with an identical 2048×1536 resolution and 7.9-inch screen size, matching the Mini 3’s 4:3 Retina display. There are some differences though; Nokia’s N1 display is ‘fully laminated’, allowing the N1 to be thinner and lighter than the Mini 3 at 6.9mm and 318 grams, respectively.
Nokia have used a single piece of anodised aluminium for the frame, in grey or silver. The camera, buttons, ports and speakers are in the same places too, although Nokia have traded Apple’s Lightning port for a reversible USB Type C connector (you can get a Type C reversible cable here). This is one of the first implementations of the Type C port, and the shape of the port makes it look near-identical to Apple’s connector.
Reasonable tablet specifications
Internally, the Nokia N1 is respectable if not industry-leading. The tablet comes with an Intel Atom Z3580 quad-core processor, backed with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Interestingly, the CPU is paired with the same PowerVR G6430 GPU as the iPad Mini 3. A 5300mAh non-removable battery sits inside, which is a bit smaller than what Apple use with the iPad Mini 3.
When it comes to connectivity, we’re looking at the latest 802.11ac WiFi, but no cellular connection. Bluetooth 4.0 and an infrared port are also included. For imaging, we have a 5-megapixel selfie cam up front, and an 8-megapixel shooter on the rear.
A platform for Nokia’s Z Launcher
The Nokia N1 will launch with Android 5.0 Lollipop, the latest release of the operating system. This will be a near-stock installation, but will come with Nokia’s Z Launcher replacement as standard. The Z Launcher was apparently the catalyst of the whole project, as Nokia wanted a good platform to show off the launcher. The idea behind the Z Launcher is a ‘Z’ gesture that shows a context-aware list of apps and contacts when drawn. You can also write letters in the middle of the homescreen to perform Google searches of the internet or your phone.
Coming in spring 2015
The Nokia N1 will be produced by Foxconn, where Nokia is targeting a Chinese launch date of February 19th (Chinese New Year). The Chinese launch will be followed by a European release, starting in Russia and a few other selected countries. The price of the N1 will be $249 before taxes for the Chinese release, putting this tablet on the lower end of the price spectrum; $150 cheaper than the iPad Mini 3.
We’ll be stocking a wide range of Nokia N1 accessories in the weeks and months ahead, although who knows – maybe iPad Mini 3 cases will already fit!
What do you think of the Nokia N1? iPad Mini 3 knock-off, or a genuine improvement to the 8-inch tablet? Let us know in the comments below or write to us on Twitter @mobilefun.