Video: Nokia 8 Sirocco, Completely misunderstood?
|Let’s talk about the Nokia 8 Sirocco! This device was released back in April 2018, as Nokia Mobile’s first proper flagship. At the time, it received pretty mixed reviews, with many complaining about using a 1-year-old processor, the Snapdragon 835, versus the SD845 which was prevalent in the flagship segments then. Other complaints included the average camera, lack of OIS, and a notable color shift due to the curved display. All very valid complaints, but I think this device was completely misunderstood. You can watch the video below on my thoughts:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cahf8dgrMcY&w=560&h=315]
Initially, the Nokia 8 Sirocco was rumored to be the first Nokia 9 device, but apparently was delayed and so their management had a change of heart and decided to resurrect an iconic nameplate, the Sirocco moniker. For us old-timers, we remember the Nokia 8800 series of devices, but in case you don’t, they were flagship devices created from Nokia to showcase the very best hardware, design, and materials possible, and boy did they deliver on these aspects. They were beautiful devices, the most memorable among them being the Sirocco and the Carbon Arte editions. Extraordinary craftsmanship and design.
Seeing the Nokia 8 Sirocco, you can completely understand how it fits with the Sirocco moniker, and even with its shortcomings, the device was still my favorite modern Nokia flagship since 2016. Its design was just that good, but it was majorly let down by how the device was presented because while the name was fitting, the way the device was presented to the media almost completely lacked any emphasis on the craftsmanship and design, its two strongest points. So the end result is the device got compared to more expensive flagships that checklists every spec under the sun, as opposed to being understood more of a design exercise aimed at fashion-conscious or design first minded people. That is certainly a niche, but at least the message and marketing would have been clear, and the device might have sold a lot better.
p.s I haven’t used the 8 Sirocco as my main device since Android 10 came out. I heard Android 10 introduced a lot of issues, but from casually using it I only noticed an issue with Bluetooth earphones. If you are a user what issues are you facing?
Anyways, what have you had any experience with the Nokia 8 Sirocco? What did you think about it? Let’s discuss down in the comments!