HMD Global is set to launch its first high-end Nokia phone aka Nokia 8 today. The smartphone will be announced at an event that is going to take place in London at 7:30PM, which is at 12AM on August 17 as per Indian timing. The launch event will be live streamed either on the company's global website or its YouTube channel. The live stream link is yet to be out; we will post the link as an when the company updates on it. Ahead of the launch, the premium phone has been subjected to several leaks and rumours almost reveal a rough sketch of how the handset is going to be. Several live images and renders of the Nokia 8 have also been leaked in the past.
Some renders reveal that Nokia 8 will come in a new colour, which will be Copper. While other renders suggest that Nokia 8 will be the first phone by HMD Global (a company responsible for manufacturing Nokia phones) which may come with Qualcomm's latest processor - Snapdragon 835 chipset and dual pair of rear cameras.
Nokia 8 is also tipped come with Carl Zeiss lens. To recall, Nokia and Zeiss joined hands last month. HMD Global together with Carl Zeiss, a company known for its high-end photography lenses equipment, announced a strategic partnership. That's when rumours started flooding in that Nokia 9 could be the first phone to come with Carl Zeiss lens. However, some rumours circulating all across the web suggests that it is the Nokia 8 and not Nokia 9 that will be the first phone to come under the HMD Global - Carl Zeiss partnership. Although, the company is yet to reveal details on the same, which it will during the launch of the Nokia 8 today.
The smartphone - Nokia 8 was spotted on GeekBench recently which revealed the complete specs details of the phone. As per the benchmark listing, Nokia 8 will come with the latest software - Android 8.0 aka Android O. However, it is noteworthy that in the benchmark results displayed on the new live image of the Nokia 8 it shows that the phone will be running on Android 7.1.1 Nougat. This means that Nokia 8 may launch with Android Nougat OS, and will later be updated to the new Android O software like other Nokia Android phones.
Google at the I/O event confirmed that the next software update - Android O will be officially out this fall, which is, sometime around the month of September. However, some rumours making rounds on the web reveal that the latest software may be official ahead of the scheduled time. Chances are that Android O may come in August itself.
Earlier, HMD Global confirmed the new software will also land to other Nokia smartphones that have been lately - Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3. "The smartphones will get the Android O update once the new release is available from Google for their OEM partners, the same way HMD Global is committed to the monthly Android security updates," said HMD Global. This means that all the smartphones by Nokia will be eventually upgraded to Android O aka Android 8.0 software system.
In terms of specifications, Nokia 8 will come with a 5.7-inch 2K display, Snapdragon 835 processor, and two cameras at the rear with 13-megapixel sensor each. The phone is further said to come with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. As per the pricing details, Nokia 8 may come with a price tag of 589 Euros, which roughly estimates around Rs 43,660. These details are based on rumours and should be taken with a pinch of salt.
