Nokia X30 and G60: HMD Global focuses on sustainability and rents out smartphones

HMD Global introduces two new smartphones, the Nokia X30 and the Nokia G60. The company wants to increase the sustainability of its smartphones with recycled materials and longer-lasting batteries. The batteries are supposed to lose power only after 800 charging cycles. That is more than has been usual so far. There are only a few comparative figures for other models, but they are in the range of 500 to 600 charging cycles. So it could take almost a year longer for the battery to weaken.

Nokia X30: Battery for at least 800 charge cycles

With its decent but unspectacular features, the Nokia X30 does not trigger any storms of enthusiasm. And so HMD Global focuses on sustainability: the frame is made entirely of recycled aluminium, the plastic on the back is 65 percent recycled material. The downsized packaging is made of 70 per cent recycled paper.

The mid-range Snapdragon 695 processor makes the Nokia X30 a 5G smartphone. Its 6.43-inch AMOLED display has a Full HD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 90 hertz. With Gorilla Glass Victus, HMD relies on the latest version of the sturdy glass for the front. Android 12 is preinstalled on the Nokia X30. The smartphone is supposed to receive three upgrades for its operating system - that is, up to Android 15 - and security updates at least during this period. The battery has a capacity of 4200 mAh.

There are two cameras on the back of the Nokia X30: the main camera with a resolution of 50 megapixels and a 13-megapixel wide-angle camera. The front camera takes selfies with 16 megapixels.

HMD Global plans to start selling the Nokia X30 early in the fourth quarter of 2022. The recommended retail price in Germany, Austria and Switzerland is 519 euros or 519 Swiss francs for the model variant with 6 gigabytes of RAM and 128 gigabytes of internal memory. For 8 and 256 gigabytes, it rises to 549 euros or francs.

Nokia G60: first G model with three Android upgrades

In the Nokia G60, HMD Global also advertises recycled material. 60 per cent of the plastic of the frame and 100 per cent of the plastic back is said to be recycled material. At 6.58 inches, the display is slightly larger than that of the X30, also has a Full HD+ resolution and reaches a maximum refresh rate of 120 hertz. Here, however, HMD Global only uses Gorilla Glass 5.

With the Snapdragon 695, the same 5G chipset is used as in the X30. The Nokia G60 is also to receive three Android upgrades up to Android 15. This makes it the first G model for which HMD is planning three major updates. The 4500 mAh battery of the G60 is also supposed to weaken only after 800 charging cycles. However, at 20 watts, it charges more slowly than that of the X30, which draws 33 watts.

The Nokia G60's main camera also has a 50-megapixel sensor. The wide-angle camera, however, only comes with five megapixels. Camera number three on the back provides depth of field information. The front camera takes selfies with eight megapixels.

The Nokia G60 is to be available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland almost immediately. The recommended retail price starts at 349 euros or francs for the model with 4 gigabytes of RAM and 64 gigabytes of internal memory. The variants with 4 and 128 as well as 6 and 128 gigabytes will cost more - HMD Global did not reveal how much in advance.

Circular: Borrow instead of buy

With Circular, HMD Global is launching a rental service for Nokia smartphones and tablets. Monthly prices range from twelve euros for the Nokia T10 tablet to 30 euros for the Nokia X30. At the start of the service in Germany and the UK, there is a choice of four devices. Over time, the choice is expected to grow and the service will be available in more countries.

HMD Global combines the lending service with a motivation for sustainability. For every month you rent a device, you receive points. With these so-called seeds, you can buy sustainable products or make donations to support initiatives in the areas of climate and environmental protection.

HMD Global combines the rental service with a motivation for sustainability.