In a world dominated by sleek, touchscreen smartphones, Nokia has taken a bold step by reintroducing a keyboard smartphone that blends nostalgic design with modern technology. The Nokia Keyboard Smartphone stands out by offering a physical QWERTY keyboard, reminiscent of the classic Nokia phones from the early 2000s, but now integrated with contemporary 5G connectivity, powerful performance, and a robust user experience. This innovative approach caters to users who value tactile typing and want a distinctive smartphone experience.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Nokia Keyboard Smartphone is a throwback to the era when physical keyboards were the norm. It features a sturdy build with a metal frame and a high-quality polycarbonate back, giving it durability while maintaining a premium feel. The most striking aspect is its full physical QWERTY keyboard placed below a 6.1-inch IPS LCD display.
Unlike modern smartphones, which focus solely on maximizing screen size, the Nokia Keyboard Smartphone prioritizes productivity and comfort. The keyboard has well-spaced, tactile keys that provide satisfying feedback when typing. This is perfect for professionals who prefer physical typing over touchscreens or for users who frequently draft emails, messages, and documents on the go.
The device measures approximately 158mm in height and 70mm in width, making it compact and easy to carry. Its design makes it stand out in a sea of glass slab devices, appealing to a niche audience that appreciates retro aesthetics combined with practical functionality.
Display
The Nokia Keyboard Smartphone comes with a 6.1-inch IPS LCD display featuring a resolution of 2520 x 1080 pixels. While not as vibrant as AMOLED panels, the IPS display delivers sharp and clear visuals suitable for reading text, watching videos, or browsing the web.
The display supports an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and an improved overall user experience. The screen is bright enough for outdoor use, though it doesn’t match the brightness levels of high-end flagship models. Color accuracy is decent, making the device a good choice for everyday multimedia consumption.
Performance and Processor
Powering the Nokia Keyboard Smartphone is the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset, a powerful processor built for efficient multitasking and smooth performance. Paired with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage, the device handles apps, games, and productivity tasks without noticeable lag.
During real-world use, the smartphone performs exceptionally well for messaging apps, email clients, and web browsing. It also handles moderately demanding games like Asphalt 9 and Call of Duty Mobile at high graphics settings without significant frame drops or overheating.
One of the advantages of having a physical keyboard is the productivity boost it provides. Combined with the software’s multitasking features, users can efficiently switch between apps, type long emails, and manage tasks with ease.
Camera System
The Nokia Keyboard Smartphone comes with a dual-camera setup on the back. The primary sensor is a 50MP shooter, supported by a 2MP depth sensor. While it doesn’t aim to compete with flagship camera systems, the setup delivers good performance in daylight conditions. Images are sharp, colors are well-balanced, and details are adequately preserved.
In low-light conditions, the device performs reasonably well, thanks to software optimizations and night mode support. The 16MP front-facing camera produces clear selfies, suitable for video calls and social media posts.
While photography isn’t the primary focus of this device, the camera system is sufficient for day-to-day casual photography needs and social media sharing.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is one of the key highlights of the Nokia Keyboard Smartphone. Equipped with a 4500mAh battery, the device comfortably lasts a full day of usage, even with 5G connectivity active and continuous multitasking.
The phone supports 33W fast wired charging, allowing it to charge from 0% to 70% in just about 30 minutes. Though not the fastest in the market, this is adequate for users who don’t want to spend hours charging their devices.
One of the advantages of having a physical keyboard is that it consumes less power during typing tasks compared to always-on display features or virtual keyboards. This contributes to the overall energy efficiency of the device.
Software Experience
The Nokia Keyboard Smartphone runs on a near-stock version of Android 14, offering a clean and intuitive interface. This means no unnecessary bloatware or heavy customizations that slow down performance. Regular security patches and system updates are promised, making the device secure and future-proof for the coming years.
Several productivity-focused features are built into the OS to leverage the physical keyboard. These include keyboard shortcuts, split-screen multitasking, and clipboard history enhancements. Users can quickly compose emails, draft documents, or navigate apps using the keyboard, creating a seamless and efficient workflow.
Additionally, the device offers privacy protection features, a customizable dark mode, and support for Google Assistant.
Connectivity and Additional Features
As a modern smartphone, the Nokia Keyboard Smartphone offers full 5G support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC. This ensures that the device remains future-proof in terms of connectivity, allowing users to enjoy high-speed internet and seamless wireless connections.
It supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to manage work and personal numbers on the same device. The USB Type-C port enables fast data transfer and efficient charging.
An interesting feature is the customizable keyboard backlight, making it easy to use in low-light environments without compromising typing accuracy.
Price and Availability
The Nokia Keyboard Smartphone is priced competitively at approximately ₹34,999 in India, positioning itself as a unique offering in the market. It is available via official Nokia stores, online e-commerce platforms, and selected retail outlets.
Considering its blend of vintage design and modern features, the pricing is reasonable for professionals, tech enthusiasts, and retro device lovers seeking something different.
Who Should Buy the Nokia Keyboard Smartphone?
The Nokia Keyboard Smartphone is ideal for several types of users:
Professionals who prefer physical keyboards for productivity tasks such as writing long emails or working on documents. Nostalgic tech enthusiasts who admire the classic Nokia design but want modern 5G performance. Users seeking a durable and reliable phone with a unique form factor. Those who want an alternative to touchscreen-only devices without compromising modern features like fast charging, multitasking, and advanced connectivity.
However, if photography or ultra-slim design is your primary focus, there may be other options better suited to those needs.
Final Verdict
The Nokia Keyboard Smartphone brings a unique offering to the smartphone market, combining the charm of a physical keyboard with the power of a modern Android device. It stands out with its durable design, efficient multitasking features, decent camera setup, and long-lasting battery life.
Priced at ₹34,999, it provides great value for professionals and productivity-focused users, setting itself apart in a world of full-touchscreen smartphones. While it may not appeal to the mainstream market seeking sleek glass slabs and top-tier camera systems, it successfully fills the niche of retro-inspired productivity devices with 5G capabilities.
Disclaimer
The specifications, features, and pricing mentioned in this article are based on the latest available data as of September 2025. Actual specifications, availability, and pricing may vary by region or official announcements. For the most accurate information, please visit the official Nokia website or authorized retailers.
