HMD Global’s Nokia smartphones have gained a reputation for reasonable prices and brisk updates in many corners of the world, and the U.S. is no exception. Today, the company has launched the Nokia 2.2 in the U.S., which stands out thanks to its low price and its battery.
At 3,000mAh, the battery is pedestrian by today’s smartphone standards, but (as Ars Technica notes), it can be removed. This is due to the phone supporting interchangeable “Xpress-on” rear covers.
We haven’t seen a major smartphone with a removable battery in a while, but there are certainly a few reasons to opt for such a device. The biggest reason is that you can quickly swap out batteries when your phone is close to zero percent for a one at full charge (providing you have purchased a spare).
Another big reason to opt for a phone like the Nokia 2.2 is that you don’t need to take the device to a repair center if the battery can no longer hold a charge. Again, it’s a simple case of swapping out a brand-new battery for an old one.
There are a few downsides to this approach though, as phones with a removable battery usually don’t have a high IP rating (affecting their dust and water-resistance capabilities). Another disadvantage is that you have to put the depleted battery back inside you phone to charge it up, so you’re delaying the inevitable. Finally, some manufacturers are able to deliver a slimmer design by tightly integrating the battery into the phone without removal in mind.
Otherwise, the Nokia 2.2 looks like a pretty solid low-end smartphone for the U.S. You’re looking at an entry-level Helio A22 quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of expandable storage.
The device is also packing a 5.71-inch HD+ LCD screen, a 5MP selfie camera in a waterdrop notch (with face unlock), a 13MP rear shooter, a Google Assistant button, and microUSB connectivity. The lack of a fingerprint sensor is a notable caveat, still, it seems like a good (if unspectacular) device for the budget-minded section of the U.S. market.
Would you buy a phone with a removable battery? Give us your thoughts in the comments below!