Nokia 1.3 available from April 23 for $169

HMD, the manuafacturer of Nokia devices, today announced that its latest entry-level smartphone, the Nokia 1.3, will hit Australian shelves on April 23 for just $169.

The Nokia 1.3 is pitched as a barebones smartphone that runs a stripped down version of Android, Android Go. Android Go is designed for faster and smoother performance on entry-level hardware.

Apps start faster, the operating system takes up less storage, and Google has redesigned many of its apps to be lighter and less data-intensive. Notably, the Nokia 1.3 is one of the first phones to ship with Camera Go, Google's new camera app for for budget devices. Camera Go allows single camera smartphones to use features like Portrait mode that would normally be absent. 

Key specifications for the Nokia 1.3 include a 5.71-inch 720p+ display, a Qualcomm 215 processor, 16GB of expandable storage, 1GB of RAM, an 8MP rear-facing camera, and a 3,000mAh battery.

As with all other Nokia smartphones, the Nokia 1.3 is guaranteed two years of major operating system updates, and three years of security updates. That kind of support is far from common when it comes to entry-level devices, which could make the Nokia 1.3 a reliable pick if you're after a phone for under $200. 

However, as with its predecessors, we expect it will best be suited to those who only need a phone for basic tasks like messaging and phone calls, thanks to the modest hardware inside. 

You'll find the Nokia 1.3 at Harvey Norman, Officeworks, Big W, Australia Post, and JB Hi-Fi. 

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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