Nokia 5.4 review – Simple Reliability Offsets its Lack of Power

In the last couple of years, Nokia has dropped out of the mid-range raw specs arms race. Instead they have been focusing on build quality, security and ease of use in an attempt to differentiate their offerings in a strong field. Nokia 5.4 definitely delivers what the Finnish maker promised – a well-built and reliable device, devoid of bloatware with the peace of mind that comes with three years of Android security updates.

However, the device still needs the hardware to get the best from the inherent benefits of Nokia’s strategy and it’s sometimes lacking in Nokia 5.4.

Fitting Form

Nokia 5.4 is an attractive device. Our ‘Polar Night’ review model wears an almost iridescent blue glow. Fine lines are barely visible most of the time then leap out with a glint when the light catches it just right. The aluminium outer frame, in a complementary contrast, is a frosted metal in a darker blue. On a sub-€200 device, this attention to styling is fantastic. Nokia 5.4 doesn’t try to bluff a more expensive price tag by appropriating the latest premium design elements – and it looks the better for it.

We loved the symmetry on the rear. The quad lens camera in its raised circular island, the fingerprint sensor and the rear’s simple ‘Nokia’ logo form a line. That logo resides exactly halfway up the rear, presenting yet more symmetry.

Similarly, the device feels better than it should at this price. Nokia 5.4 is sturdy with little flex despite its large 6.39″ display. At 8.7mm deep, it’s not a chunky boi but it is a little thicker than it’s predecessor, Nokia 5.3 (8.5mm).

Full Screen

A 19.5:9 aspect ratio gives Nokia 5.4’s display an elongated, somewhat premium look. The IPS LCD has a peak brightness of 400 nits – not particularly bright but definitely usable. That IPS LCD gives the display an almost muted, natural colour. Contrast is about average for an IPS at this price.

The punch-hole notch is a nice touch and an upgrade to the “widow’s peak” notch of Nokia 5.3. The device has a little more bezel on its front than others in its class. Some won’t like the chin bezel while others will appreciate a little dead-zone for one-handed use.

6.39 inches is a little large for a HD+ screen. That 720×1,260 pixel display can look a little grainy next to some in its price range. Though it must be noted that Nokia 5.3 had roughly the same pixel count in a slightly larger display – 5.4 does look a fraction sharper.

A pre-installed screen protector is a nice touch that has filtered down from more expensive devices. And it’s a perfect fit; scarcely noticeable.

One with Android

Nokia 5.4 runs the simplified Android One platform. The device comes pre-loaded with a mixture of ‘lite’ and full-sized Google apps that seem hand-picked for their compatibility with 5.4.

Bloatware is absent aside from Netflix – which is only really bloatware in a technical sense. That is, an unnecessary pre-loaded app from a third-party. In reality, Netflix is so widely used that it even the most hardcore of OS purists is likely to appreciate its presence.

Devices will have Android 10 installed with the Android 11 update just about to roll out.

Outmatched

The smart use of lighter Google apps means our 4GB, 64GB review device is well able everyday tasks including social media, entertainment streaming and some light productivity. For Nokia 5.4’s target demographic, it will cover the everyday essentials that they desire.

But one area where the more able Android-user will be disappointed in is Nokia 5.4’s raw grunt. The device’s Snapdragon 662 is a step down from its predecessor and it can feel like it when moving beyond the basics. Switching between a few apps and moderate multitasking will slow the device noticeably. Complex 3D games use the lowest settings when possible and, even then, struggle to hit a solid 60 fps.

Mixed Camera

In adequate light, Nokia 5.4 takes a bright, detailed image from its 48MP wide lens. Outdoor or otherwise well-lit colour reproduction is good for this price. Washes of fine detail can be oversharpened with some distorted patterns emerging at the limits of the camera’s resolution.

The 5MP ultra-wide secondary snapper isn’t quite up to par – outdoor shots can be easily overblown with high-contrasts also introducing some noise.

The 2MP macro lens never seems to have enough light, is erratic in focus and the results are underwhelming when you do get it right.

Specifications

As mentioned in our intro, Nokia is intentionally aiming at the most casual of users whose technological needs tend to be simpler. It has chosen to avoid a race to the bottom that has seen ads applied to app stores, music players and browsers in addition to the traditional bloatware. With such competition in the lower mid-range, users who prefer a better power-to-price ratio are spoilt for choice but this often comes at that cost.

Ultimately, Nokia 5.4 is a phone for those who don’t care about phones and I mean this in the best possible way. Its target demographic is those don’t value smartphones as objets d’art or as a delicate, useful toy but primarily as means of communication with the occasional use for illumination (both literally and figuratively) or entertainment. The less time this type of user spends messing with their smartphone or thinking about it, the better.

With Nokia 5.4, you get a clean UI and upfront user experience where all of the internal storage space is yours. Your RAM, your storage and/or your time isn’t eaten by commercial consideration. That’s worth something.