Nokia G11 Plus

The 64GB variant with 4GB RAM is priced at QAR 259 at Jarir Bookstore, while Carrefour Qatar offers it for QAR 549. Lulu Hypermarket lists the same model for QAR 499. It’s important to note that prices may fluctuate over time and across different retailers.

Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display	6.52″ IPS LCD, 90Hz refresh rate
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels
Processor	Unisoc T606 (12 nm)
RAM	3GB / 4GB
Storage	32GB / 64GB / 128GB (expandable via microSD)
Main Camera	50MP wide + 2MP depth
Front Camera	8MP
Battery	5000mAh
Charging	10W wired
Operating System	Android 12 (upgradable to Android 13)
5G	No (4G LTE)
Water Resistance	Splash resistant
Dimensions	164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm
Weight	192 g

 

Release Date and Availability

The Nokia G11 Plus was announced on June 29, 2022, and became available for purchase on July 20, 2022. This smartphone is part of Nokia’s budget-friendly G-series, aimed at providing essential features at an affordable price point. The device is available in two color options: Charcoal Grey and Lake Blue.

Design and Build Quality

The Nokia G11 Plus features a simple yet functional design that’s typical of budget smartphones. It has a plastic frame and back panel, which helps keep the cost down while still providing a decent feel in hand. The front of the device is dominated by the 6.52-inch display, which has relatively slim bezels for a phone in this price range. There’s a small waterdrop notch at the top of the screen that houses the front-facing camera.

On the back, you’ll find the dual-camera setup arranged in a rectangular module, along with an LED flash. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is positioned just below the camera module, making it easy to reach with your index finger. The phone’s buttons are all located on the right side, with the volume rocker sitting above the power button.

Despite its budget status, the Nokia G11 Plus offers some level of durability with its splash-resistant design. While it’s not fully waterproof, it should be able to withstand light rain or accidental splashes without issue.

Display and Performance

The Nokia G11 Plus comes with a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display that offers a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. While this isn’t the sharpest screen you’ll find on a smartphone, it’s adequate for everyday use and helps conserve battery life.

One of the standout features of this display is its 90Hz refresh rate, which is uncommon in this price range. This higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations appear smoother, providing a more premium feel to the user experience.

Under the hood, the G11 Plus is powered by the Unisoc T606 chipset. This octa-core processor is built on a 12nm process and consists of two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz for performance tasks, and six Cortex-A55 cores also at 1.6 GHz for efficiency. While this isn’t a powerhouse by any means, it’s capable of handling everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming without much trouble.

The phone comes with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM, depending on the variant. This amount of RAM is sufficient for basic multitasking, but you may notice some slowdowns if you try to run too many apps simultaneously or switch between demanding applications quickly. Storage options include 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, all of which are expandable via a microSD card slot.

Camera Capabilities

Photography on the Nokia G11 Plus is handled by a dual-camera setup on the rear. The main sensor is a 50-megapixel unit with an f/1.8 aperture, which is capable of capturing decent photos in well-lit conditions. It’s accompanied by a 2-megapixel depth sensor that assists with portrait mode shots, helping to create a bokeh effect by blurring the background.

While the camera setup isn’t going to compete with flagship devices, it’s quite capable for a budget smartphone. The 50MP main sensor can capture a good amount of detail in daylight conditions, and the phone’s software includes features like HDR to help balance exposure in high-contrast scenes. Night mode is also available, though its performance may be limited compared to more expensive devices.

On the front, there’s an 8-megapixel selfie camera housed in the waterdrop notch. This camera is adequate for video calls and casual selfies, though it may struggle in low-light conditions.

Video recording capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second for both the rear and front cameras. While this isn’t cutting-edge, it’s sufficient for capturing everyday moments and sharing on social media.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the standout features of the Nokia G11 Plus is its large 5000mAh battery. This capacity is generous for a budget smartphone and should easily last through a full day of moderate to heavy use. For light users, it might even stretch to two days between charges.

The phone supports 10W wired charging, which is on the slower side by today’s standards. It means that fully charging the large battery will take a considerable amount of time, potentially several hours from empty to full. There’s no support for wireless charging, which is typical for phones in this price range.

Software and User Experience

The Nokia G11 Plus runs on Android 12 out of the box, with an upgrade path to Android 13. Nokia is known for providing a near-stock Android experience, which means you get a clean, bloatware-free interface that’s easy to navigate. This approach also typically results in smoother performance and faster updates compared to heavily customized Android skins.

As part of Google’s Android One program, the G11 Plus is guaranteed to receive two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches. This commitment to software support is a significant advantage in the budget smartphone segment, where many devices receive few, if any, updates after launch.

Connectivity and Additional Features

In terms of connectivity, the Nokia G11 Plus supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in smartphones but is still appreciated by many users. The phone uses a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.

The device includes a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication, which is generally quick and reliable. There’s also face unlock available using the front-facing camera, though it’s not as secure as the fingerprint sensor.

One feature that’s missing is NFC (Near Field Communication), which means you won’t be able to use the phone for contactless payments. This omission is not uncommon in budget devices but is worth noting if mobile payments are important to you.

Comparison with Other Nokia Models

When comparing the Nokia G11 Plus to other Nokia models, it sits in an interesting position. It offers some improvements over the Nokia G11, such as a higher resolution main camera and more storage options. However, it’s not quite as advanced as some of the higher-end G-series models.

The Nokia G22, for instance, offers a similar display size but with a higher resolution (720 x 1600 pixels) and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It also features a more powerful Unisoc T606 processor and comes with 4GB of RAM as standard. The G22’s camera setup is similar to the G11 Plus, but it adds a 2MP macro lens for close-up shots.

Moving up the range, the Nokia G42 offers 5G connectivity, a more powerful Snapdragon 480+ 5G processor, and a higher resolution 50MP main camera. It also features a larger 6.56-inch display, though still with HD+ resolution.

The Nokia G20 and G21 are closer competitors to the G11 Plus. The G20 offers a similar spec sheet but with a slightly larger 6.52-inch display and a quad-camera setup that includes a 48MP main sensor. The G21 ups the ante with a 50MP main camera and a 90Hz refresh rate display, much like the G11 Plus.

The Nokia G50 is a step above, offering 5G connectivity, a larger 6.82-inch Full HD+ display, and a more powerful Snapdragon 480 5G processor. However, it comes at a higher price point.

Comparison with Competitors

In the budget smartphone market, the Nokia G11 Plus faces stiff competition from other brands. Devices like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, Realme 9i, and Samsung Galaxy A13 offer similar or sometimes better specifications at comparable price points.

The Redmi Note 11, for example, offers a higher resolution Full HD+ AMOLED display, a more powerful Snapdragon 680 processor, and faster 33W charging. The Realme 9i features a 90Hz Full HD+ display, a Snapdragon 680 processor, and a 50MP main camera, along with faster 33W charging.

Samsung’s Galaxy A13 is another close competitor, offering a 50MP main camera, a 6.6-inch PLS LCD display, and an Exynos 850 processor. It also comes with One UI, Samsung’s custom Android skin, which some users prefer over stock Android.

However, the Nokia G11 Plus holds its own with its clean Android experience, guaranteed software updates, and robust build quality. Its 90Hz refresh rate display is also a standout feature in this price range, offering a smoother user experience than many competitors.

Who Should Buy the Nokia G11 Plus?

The Nokia G11 Plus is an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize a clean Android experience, long battery life, and guaranteed software updates. It’s particularly well-suited for:

1. First-time smartphone users: The clean, intuitive interface and basic feature set make it easy to use for those new to smartphones.
2. Students or young professionals on a budget: The affordable price point and decent performance make it a good option for those who need a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.
3. Elderly users: The large display and simple interface could be appealing to older users who want a straightforward smartphone experience.
4. Light to moderate users: For those who primarily use their phone for calls, messaging, social media, and light web browsing, the G11 Plus offers more than enough performance.
5. Those who value software support: With guaranteed Android updates and security patches, the G11 Plus is a good choice for those who want to keep their phone up-to-date for longer.

Pros and Cons

To summarize, here are the main pros and cons of the Nokia G11 Plus:Pros:

• Affordable price point
• Large 5000mAh battery for long-lasting use
• 90Hz refresh rate display, uncommon in this price range
• Clean, bloatware-free Android experience
• Guaranteed software updates for two years
• Expandable storage via microSD card
• 3.5mm headphone jack

Cons:

• Limited processing power for demanding tasks or heavy multitasking
• Low-resolution display (HD+ instead of Full HD+)
• Slow charging speed (10W)
• No NFC for contactless payments
• Camera performance may be limited, especially in low light