Nokia Oxygen Ultra 5G: A Flagship Contender with Impressive Camera Power

Nokia has made a bold return to the premium smartphone segment with the launch of the Oxygen Ultra 5G, a device that promises to deliver flagship performance, exceptional photography capabilities, and the durability Nokia is known for. Priced between Rs. 45,000 and Rs. 59,990, this device aims to compete directly with established premium smartphones in the Indian market.

## Design and Build Quality: Durability Meets Elegance

The Nokia Oxygen Ultra 5G showcases a premium design philosophy that prioritizes both aesthetics and durability. The device features a robust construction with a glass back panel and aluminum frame, measuring 166.0mm × 77.0mm × 8.2mm and weighing 210 grams. While this makes it slightly bulky compared to some competitors, the substantial feel reinforces its premium positioning.

The IP68 certification ensures protection against water and dust, making it suitable for users with active lifestyles. The inclusion of Gorilla Glass 7 provides additional screen protection, addressing one of the primary concerns of smartphone users. Nokia offers the device in three sophisticated color options: Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, and Onyx Black, catering to different style preferences.

## Display: Immersive Visual Experience

The 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display is undoubtedly one of the Oxygen Ultra 5G's standout features. With a resolution of 1440×3200 pixels delivering approximately 516 ppi, the screen offers exceptional clarity and detail. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions, particularly beneficial for gaming and multimedia consumption.

The HDR10+ support enhances content viewing with improved color accuracy and contrast ratios, while the peak brightness of 1200 nits ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The in-display fingerprint sensor adds to the seamless user experience, providing quick and secure device access.

## Performance: Flagship-Grade Processing Power

At the heart of the Oxygen Ultra 5G lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, built on a 4nm process and featuring an octa-core configuration with speeds reaching up to 3.2 GHz. This chipset is well-established in the flagship segment and delivers excellent performance across various use cases, from intensive gaming to professional productivity tasks.

The device comes equipped with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient app switching. Storage options include 256GB and 512GB variants with UFS 4.0 technology, providing fast data access speeds. The inclusion of microSD support allows expansion up to 1TB, addressing long-term storage needs.

Running Android 14 with a near-stock interface, the device promises a clean user experience without excessive bloatware. Nokia's commitment to providing three years of OS updates and four years of security updates adds significant value for users concerned about long-term device support.

The advanced vapor cooling system helps maintain optimal performance during extended gaming sessions or intensive tasks, preventing thermal throttling that could impact user experience.

## Camera System: Photography Excellence

The camera setup represents the Oxygen Ultra 5G's most compelling feature, headlined by a remarkable 200MP primary sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a wide-angle lens. This high-resolution sensor excels in both daylight and low-light conditions, capturing detailed images with accurate color reproduction. The ability to record 8K video further enhances its appeal to content creators.

The versatile quad-camera array includes:

- **200MP Primary Sensor**: Delivers exceptional detail and supports advanced computational photography

- **12MP Ultra-wide Lens**: Perfect for landscape photography and group shots

- **8MP Telephoto Lens**: Offers 3x optical zoom for detailed portrait photography

- **2MP Depth Sensor**: Enhances bokeh effects in portrait mode

The 32MP front-facing camera ensures high-quality selfies and supports 4K video recording, making it suitable for video calls and social media content creation.

The partnership with Zeiss optics adds credibility to the camera system, while features like night mode and AI enhancements optimize image quality across various shooting conditions. This makes the device particularly attractive to photography enthusiasts who want professional-grade results from their smartphone.

## Battery and Charging: Endurance Focused

The 6900mAh battery capacity is genuinely impressive, positioning the Oxygen Ultra 5G among the longest-lasting smartphones in its category. Nokia claims 2-3 days of mixed usage with 16-20 hours of screen-on time, which should satisfy even heavy users.

However, the 45W fast charging speed feels conservative compared to competitors offering 65W, 80W, or even 100W charging solutions. The 80-minute charging time from 0-100% is reasonable but not class-leading. The absence of wireless charging might disappoint some users who have come to expect this feature in the premium segment.

## Connectivity and Additional Features

The device offers comprehensive connectivity options including 5G support across multiple bands (n1/n3/n40/n78), ensuring compatibility with Indian network infrastructure. Additional connectivity features include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, GPS, and USB-C 3.0.

The dual SIM slot with microSD expansion provides flexibility for users who need multiple numbers or extensive storage. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is increasingly rare in flagship devices and will be appreciated by audiophiles. Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support enhance the multimedia experience.

## Pricing and Market Position

The pricing strategy places the Oxygen Ultra 5G in direct competition with established flagship devices. The base 12GB/256GB variant at Rs. 45,000 offers competitive value, while the top-end 12GB/512GB model at Rs. 59,990 faces stiffer competition. On-road prices in Delhi range from Rs. 52,500 to Rs. 70,000, including additional charges.

The estimated annual maintenance cost of Rs. 3,500-5,000 is reasonable for a flagship device, and the two-year warranty (extendable to three) provides additional peace of mind.

## Strengths and Limitations

**Key Advantages:**

- Exceptional camera system with 200MP primary sensor

- Outstanding battery life with 6900mAh capacity

- Rugged build quality with IP68 certification

- Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates

- Comprehensive connectivity options

**Areas for Improvement:**

- Charging speed could be faster for the price segment

- Bulky design may not appeal to all users

- Top variant pricing is aggressive for Nokia's current market position

- Absence of wireless charging

## Final Verdict

The Nokia Oxygen Ultra 5G represents a serious attempt by Nokia to reclaim its position in the premium smartphone market. The device successfully combines the brand's traditional strengths in build quality and reliability with modern flagship features like an advanced camera system and powerful processor.

The standout 200MP camera system, exceptional battery life, and robust build quality make it particularly appealing to users who prioritize photography capabilities and long-lasting performance over ultra-fast charging or compact design.

For consumers seeking a reliable flagship device with excellent camera capabilities and outstanding battery endurance, the Nokia Oxygen Ultra 5G presents a compelling proposition. While it may not lead in every specification category, it offers a well-balanced package that should satisfy most flagship smartphone requirements.

The success of this device will largely depend on Nokia's ability to establish service networks, provide consistent software updates, and compete effectively with established brands in marketing and retail presence. For Nokia enthusiasts and users seeking an alternative to mainstream flagship options, the Oxygen Ultra 5G deserves serious consideration.