By Dr V Palanivel 
The Nokia 6.1 Plus made its debut in August 2018 and quickly became a fan-favorite in the mid-range smartphone market. Known for its sleek glass design, Android One experience, and dependable performance, it stood out in its segment. But in 2025, is the Nokia 6.1 Plus still worth buying? Let’s break it down by performance, camera quality, battery life, and overall value.
Nokia 6.1 Plus – Overview
The Nokia 6.1 Plus was launched by HMD Global as part of the Android One program, offering users a pure and bloat-free Android experience with guaranteed software updates. Back then, it was a big step forward for Nokia’s design language—offering an all-glass body, a vibrant notch display, and dual rear cameras at an affordable price.
Design and Display
The 6.1 Plus features a 5.8-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 × 2280 pixels. The 19:9 aspect ratio and 81.5% screen-to-body ratio make it compact yet immersive. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection on both front and back gives it a premium feel, though it’s a fingerprint magnet.
Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor paired with 4GB or 6GB RAM, the Nokia 6.1 Plus delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming. While it’s not a gaming powerhouse, it can handle light to moderate gaming with titles like PUBG Mobile (at medium settings) and Asphalt 9 without major lag.
Its Android One interface ensures bloat-free usage and timely updates, though in 2025, official updates have stopped—meaning users rely on older Android versions or custom ROMs.
Camera Quality
The dual-camera setup on the rear includes:
16 MP primary sensor (f/2.0, PDAF)
5 MP depth sensor
For selfies, you get a 16 MP front camera.
In daylight, the camera delivers sharp and well-saturated images, while low-light shots show noise and reduced detail. The portrait mode is decent for its time but can be inconsistent with edge detection compared to modern devices.
Video recording supports up to 4K at 30fps, with electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother clips.
Battery and Charging
The Nokia 6.1 Plus houses a 3060 mAh battery, which is modest by 2025 standards. It can last a full day with light usage, but heavy users might need a top-up by evening.
Charging is handled via USB Type-C with 18W fast charging, taking about 1.5 hours for a full charge.
Storage and Memory
It comes with 64GB internal storage, expandable up to 400GB via microSD card, ensuring you have enough space for photos, apps, and videos.
Specifications Table – Nokia 6.1 Plus
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | August 2018 |
| Display | 5.8-inch FHD+ IPS LCD, 1080×2280 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB (Expandable up to 400GB) |
| Rear Camera | 16MP + 5MP dual camera |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Battery | 3060 mAh |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging |
| OS | Android One (Pie, upgradable to Android 10) |
| Top Speed | ~636,000 Antutu score equivalent to mid-range speed |
| Price at Launch | ₹15,999 (India) |
| Current Price (2025) | Around ₹5,000–₹6,500 (Used/Refurbished) |
Key Features
Premium glass design with Gorilla Glass protection
Stock Android experience via Android One
4K video recording with EIS
Compact and lightweight (151g)
Expandable storage up to 400GB
Is It Still Worth It in 2025?
If you’re looking for a budget secondary phone or a minimalist device for basic tasks, the Nokia 6.1 Plus still delivers decent performance. The pure Android interface is clean and lag-free for light use. However, for users demanding high-end gaming, advanced camera performance, or 5G connectivity, this phone will feel outdated.
The Nokia 6.1 Plus remains a nostalgic and reliable choice for fans of Nokia’s durable build and clean Android experience. In 2025, it shines best as an affordable backup device or for those who prefer simplicity over flashy features. But if you need future-proof hardware, you may want to explore newer budget smartphones.
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