Nokia has released two new mid-range handset updates that look remarkably similar. Following and updating models in the Nokia 6 and Nokia 7 series, the two devices bring these families much closer together than on previous releases.

So what's the difference between them?

What's the same?

We'll start here, clearing up what's the same on both these handsets.

Design and build

• 159.88 x 75.11 x 8.25mm, 180g

Although there's a difference in the finish of the phones, they both measure 159.88 x 75.11 x 8.25mm and weigh 180g. They both have the same sort of construction, with a aluminium core treated with a polymer composite for strength and Gorilla Glass front and back.

At first glance, both phones look the same, although the Nokia 7.2 has a deeper finish on the rear panel, with more shimmery colours for a more premium look.

Display

• 6.3-inch PureDisplay, Full HD+
• HDR support

The display on these models is the same too. Both have a 6.3-inch PureDisplay with a Full HD+ resolution. Both have a waterdrop notch for the front camera.

With these panels being the same, they both offer the same resolution, the same 500 nit brightness and will also support HDR. Thanks to a Pixelworks visual processor, they will both also convert SDR video to HDR in real time.

So visually, the display is the same.

Both run Android One

That's right - both these phones also come with Android One, a pure take on Android without any bloat or duplication. There's no difference in the software experience.

Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 differences

So that leaves a few areas where things are a little different. They break down as follows.

Core hardware specs

• Snapdragon 660 vs 636
• RAM and storage differences

The big difference in the core hardware is that the Nokia 7.2 comes with a later generation of Snapdragon 600. It has Snapdragon 660, whereas the Nokia 6.2 has Snapdragon 636. There's not a world of differences between these two hardware setups, but the 660 is a later version. 

There are also differences in the RAM and storage available. The Nokia 7.2 comes in 4 or 6GB whereas the Nokia 6.2 starts down at 3GB. In terms of storage, both will have various capacities and both support microSD. 

Otherwise the hardware is very much the same - fingerprint scanner on the rear, 3.5mm headphone socket, 3500mAh battery on both devices. 

The camera

• Zeiss camera with 48MP main sensor
• Nokia camera with 16MP main sensor

Of course the biggest difference is in the camera. The only thing that looks different on the Nokia 7.2 is that it says Zeiss across the camera unit on the rear, but that reveals that it has different glass and offers some Zeiss branded features in the camera app. 

The big hardware difference is that the Nokia 7.2 has a 48-megapixel sensor with f/1.78 aperture, which can shoot in full resolution, but will usually use pixel combining with 12-megapixel results. 

The Nokia 6.2 by contrast has a 16-megapixel sensor with f/1.8 aperture.

Both cameras are joined by a 5-megapixel depth sensor and an 8-megapixel ultra wide-angle camera which are basically the same in spec and offering.

Within the app itself, the portrait functions of the Nokia 7.2 have Zeiss branding offering effects aiming to replicate the sort of effects that you might get from a Zeiss lens. The Nokia 6.2 also offers portrait effects, but they are different.

We've not had the chance to fully test the cameras, but that new 48-megapixel sensor claims to be better a low light shooting - so that should mean that overall the Nokia 7.2 will offer superior performance. 

Price and availability 

Although the local prices are still to be confirmed, the Nokia 6.2 will start from €199 while the Nokia 7.2 will start from €299 - so there's a pretty big difference in price right there. 

Both will be available from October 2019.