Since all of the phones have a similar design, similar tech, and the same philosophy behind the, they all share a few problems. For latest tips, tricks and hacks check out our dedicated section for Android Tricks. The Nokia 5 actually has the least amount of reported problems that I’ve noticed between the three phones in the line, so this list won’t be very long. Most of the issues with the Nokia 5 stem from this Nokia line as a whole, but here I’ll get into the specifics on how you can fix, or at least minimize these problems with the Nokia 5 over the 3 and 6.
Small Internal Storage and Low Amount of RAM
This is less of a common problem with the Nokia 5, and more of an issue with budget priced Android phones in general. The Nokia 5 comes with 16GB of internal storage, not unlike its siblings, which sounds like a lot at first, but will quickly run out. In situations like this you only have two to three options to expand your storage capabilities. Thankfully, all three are possible on the Nokia 5. The easiest option is to slot in a microSD card to bump up your storage by an extra 200GB+, and since both the single and the dual SIM version of the Nokia 5 have a microSD card slot, you’re already golden. Your other two options are cloud storage for files you don’t need to access right away, and on the go USB storage with the addition of an OTG cable and a separate storage device. If you don’t already have all of the materials this is usually a costly addition, but if you don’t have one already, I recommend you buy an OTG cable because of their utility. At the same time, the Nokia 5, much like the 3 and 6, only has 2GB of RAM. This is more than enough for simple day to day tasks, but if you want to do anything demanding, expect slowdowns and crashes. There’s no real fix to having a low amount of RAM, the only thing you can really do is manage your RAM effectively, and understand what takes up RAM and when. Once you understand where all of your memory goes at what time, it becomes much easier to use what little RAM you have available effectively. It’s possible to rely on task killers for quick boosts, but at the same time, using them too much has adverse effects in the long run. However, as long as you’re smart with your RAM, even 2GB should be enough.
A Passable but Weaker Camera
You’re going to see this problem with all of the Nokia cameras from this line, but the Nokia 5 at least handles pictures better than the Nokia 3, and is around the same level of the Nokia 6. If you haven’t gotten tired of the comparisons between the three phones already, you will soon, because they’re always going to be relevant. The Nokia 5 has a 1080p 13MP camera on the back, and an 8MP camera on the front. While the Nokia 5’s screen is only at 720p, your shots will still be packed with detail. You’ll see more than you would with the Nokia 3’s camera, but unfortunately the Nokia 5 still doesn’t have the best color and contrast detection and representation. Because of the camera’s faults, it’s best to run any photos you plan on readily sharing through an editor or some kind of touch up app to make sure each picture is at their best. It’s not completely necessary since your pictures will still turn out looking fine, but if you want them to look even better, take a look at a few of these apps to see which one will help you the most.
A UI That Doesn’t Work for Everyone
This isn’t a troubleshooting problem in the traditional sense, but it’s something I’ve seen mentioned a lot about these three Nokia phones, the Nokia 5 included. Much like Touchwiz on Samsung devices, the Nokia 5 has its own UI design that hasn’t lined up with every user’s needs. Thankfully with Android, when you don’t like the way something looks, it’s easy to change it. If the Nokia 5’s UI doesn’t strike you as something you want to look at on a day to day basis, then it’s easy enough to change with a custom launcher. All it takes is one download, and your UI has a different look and feel. With the right tools, it’s even possible to customize both simple and complex aspects of your UI to really make it shine with your own personal flair.
Just Below the Nokia 6 and Just Above the Nokia 3
The biggest problem the Nokia 5 has going for it is actually the Nokia 6 and the Nokia 3. While the Nokia 5 is a clear improvement over the Nokia 3, it’s still forced to play second fiddle to the Nokia 6. If you have a choice between the two, and their retail prices are so similar, why wouldn’t you go with the better model? The Nokia 5 is still a solid phone by every meaning of the word, but it’s difficult to choose it over the Nokia 6 if you have the option available. The Nokia 5 is still an objective upgrade over the Nokia 3, and has a few less problems to boot, but the Nokia 6 still looks like the best phone out of the bunch.
Conclusion
The Nokia 5 doesn’t have many problems to speak of, and it even improves on the battery life of the Nokia 3, even though it still isn’t removable. When the phone makes its way into more hands more problems will surely surface, but until then, the Nokia 5 seems like a worthwhile budget phone that’s unfortunately outclassed by its older brother. If you have any thoughts you want to share on the Nokia 5, 3, or even the 6, please don’t hesitate to share them down below! Featured Image Credit
