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posted by martyb on Wednesday January 22 2020, @08:55PM   Printer-friendly
from the frugal dept.

HMD's Nokia 2.3 has been announced for sale in the US. This low-end phone is just $129 but still manages to look like a respectable device.

[...] it runs stock Android with no crapware.

[...] There are some nice extras here, too, like a micro SD slot, a headphone jack, FM Radio support, and a dedicated Google Assistant button on the side.

[...] There are some downsides that come with the low price. First, there's no fingerprint reader. The only biometrics are a selfie-cam-powered face unlock feature, which can't be that secure since it only does a 2D face scan. Second, you're getting the old micro USB port for charging, instead of the newer, reversible USB-C, which is a shame. This also means there's no quick charging, and instead you get a pokey 5V/1A charger. Third, there's no NFC, so you won't be able to tap-and-pay at the register. Fourth, it only comes with Android 9 Pie, although an upgrade to Android 10 is planned at some point.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/01/dirt-cheap-nokia-2-3-comes-to-the-us-for-just-129/

Only downside [for me] is the fact that it actually has a selfie-cam-powered face unlock feature. How about you?


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  • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday January 22 2020, @10:23PM

    by RS3 (6367) on Wednesday January 22 2020, @10:23PM (#947047)

    Absolutely agree, however, and I'm EE but not phone expert, USB-C has different circuit functionality, higher voltage and current potential, requiring higher power capable circuitry, which would be additional designs, and costs, and maybe bigger size and likely greater power dissipation. So maybe they compromised, and/or they haven't fully developed their USB-C stuff. Or, maybe this phone's chosen chipset doesn't support USB-C...

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