Now shipping: Nokia 6.1 Android Smartphone (ZEISS Optics) w/free Photo Kit for $269

If you are a Nokia + Zeiss shipper (ha!), the brand new Nokia 6.1 factory-unlocked Android smartphone with Zeiss optics is now in-stock and shipping for $269 with free expedited shipping at B&H Photo with a free “B&H Photo Video Basic Photo/Video Kit for Smartphones” [mount, LED light, flexible tripod] automatically included by B&H.

This runs Android 8.0, with 3GB RAM [probably the minimum these days for Android], 32GB on-board, microSD storage, GSM, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C connector [but not USB 3.x features],

One of the things Nokia is promising with their Android phone line-up is speedy and steady OS and security updates ~ after all the phone is part of Android One. It is easier to promise this when your phone line-up consists of single-figures in individual models, we’ll see how it plays out in the next couple of years ~ after all, most phone manufacturers sound/sounded very optimistic in delivering updates at announcement time, but their post-release records are spotty and patchy [pun intended?]. But they have already delivered multiple updates for their first generation Android phones…

PS: the same price is offered at amazon.com but without a free photo-video accessories kit…

Pre-order new Nokia 6 Android phone for $230 (or $180 with Ads)

Once upon a time giants of communications, Motorola and Nokia had their soap-opera paths of mergers and acquisitions. The current incarnation of the HMD era of Nokia brand is launching Android smartphones, and the current leader of their pack is now available for pre-order with USA warranty in the US market!

The Nokia 6 is available for pre-order in three color schemes for $230 each at Amazon by Amazon itself. This is fully compatible with T-Mobile, and partially compatible with AT&T (missing a couple of bands – check phone websites/forums for complete details). This is as close to a pure Android phone as a 3rd-party maker can make with Google PLAY support. Perhaps trying to fill the void of good old Nexus getting shutdown by The Google.

This is not a flagship phone, but you get 3GB RAM, 32GB on-board storage, microSD card (up to 128GB), a 5.5-inch full HD touchscreen, Snapdragon 430 quad-core, Android 7.1 (how many phones offer this now?), etc.

On the other hand, if you want to pay $50 less, and you are comfortable with the way Amazon does their Sponsored Lockscreen Offers and Ads, Amazon is also offering a Lockscreen Ads version for $180 in two of the three colors. This is restricted to Prime members only, and it appears to have a limit of one per color per customer at the moment.

IF you are not a Prime member, but you want to get the Lockscreen Ads version, you can do it by becoming a Prime member. You will pay the full price of $230, but you will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card AFTER you become a paying Prime member (you get a 30-day free trial). The Details also note that if you return the phone or cancel your Prime membership within 3 months of purchase, they make charge you back for the $50 gift card). In other words, they are trying to prevent people from signing up just to buy the phone for $50 less and then cancelling 🙂

NOTE: as usual at Amazon, there are also listings of the international/imported versions of the phone. The Chinese version has 4GB RAM and 64GB on-board. If you are surfing around, make sure you are looking at the right version!

This has been around outside the US for a few months now, so you can find many reviews and opinions on it, such as this 9-pager from GSM Arena. Or jump to their conclusions if you don’t want to go through it all.

This is one of five new phones that joined the Amazon Prime line-up including the latest Motorola Moto E (4th gen), the Alcatel Idol 5S, and a couple more. It looks like “Blu” may be getting “punished” for their China “phone home” issue, as there are no new Blu phones added to the line-up?

(ENDED) Friday Lightning Deals: Ape camera bag, Schneider step-down, $30 Lumia 635

These lighting deals expired… For future ones in the future, check the Amazon Gold Box and Camera & Photo page

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