Nokia is launching the Nokia 8.3 5G for $899 via pre-order at JB Hi-Fi today, Thursday September 24 in the 8GB/128GB config with the bonus pre-order gift of the new Nokia Power Earbuds Lite, that normally retail for $99.

Actual in-store availability is the Thursday, October 15 from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and Amazon, with Amazon's pre-orders starting from Thursday October 1, but with no mentioned of any free earbuds, so if you're keen, you'll need to go to JB to pre-order.

But what makes the Nokia 8.3 5G special?

Well, besides hyperbolically billing this phone as "the only gadget you'll ever need", it's the first 5G phone from Nokia, and while Nokia is late to the 5G party compared with some of its competitors (although still ahead of Apple), Nokia states this new model is "a truly global 5G smartphone" with "the highest number of 5G New Radio bands yet".

To further illuminate this, Nokia says its 8.3 5G model is "primed for both standalone and non-standalone 5G network deployment combinations that operators around the globe are rolling out. This ensures more people can enjoy the fast, reliable connectivity of 5G for streaming and gaming wherever they are".

Of course, in a world where international travel is either much more difficult than before, is actively dangerous given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and madness, and is virtually impossible for everyday Australians right now, an internationally more compatible 5G phone is much less of a draw in 2020 than it would have been in 2019, especially with 4G and 3G widely available anyway, but it's still no bad thing at all and does future proof this model nicely enough for the next couple of years at least.

Besides 5G compatibility, there's Nokia biggest display yet at 6.81-inches edge-to-edge, with "PureDisplay technology powered by the Pixelworks visual processor", while "the Snapdragon 765G Modular Platform delivers breakthrough AI-enhanced entertainment capabilities".

Nokia also says this new model "comes equipped with the 5th generation Qualcomm® AI Engine to help deliver intuitive AI experiences. This technology provides immersive HDR quality and remarkable colour reproduction for all your streaming media, photos, videos or games, even when the content is only available in standard dynamic range (SDR). This is done by dynamically upscaling the colour depth and detail by a factor of 64, transforming all your entertainment into unforgettable, cinematic experiences."

More details below - here's Nokia's 8.3 5G promo video:

We also have the allure of ever better video, photo and audio recording, with a PureView quad-camera to enable 64 megapixel photos, 4K filming of 21:9 cinematic videos enhanced by ZEISS cinematic film effects.

The 64 megapixel sensor is joined by the now de-rigeur 12 megepixel ultrawide camera with "2.8μm super pixel powered wide-angle sensor", a 2 megapixel macro camera and a 2 megapixel depth sensor, with a 24 megapixel selfie camera on the front. Whether you can still do "bothies", I don't know, but I'm guessing so.

Then there's the ZEISS Cinema capture and editor app, which is being positioned as a kind of super iMovie.

Nokia says this is its first smartphone to "premiere ZEISS Cinema capture and editor app", and as mentioned above, the ability to capture videos in 4K Cinematic format (21:9) in enhanced by the ability to "easily add stand-out movie-like effects, including anamorphic and blue flares".

We're told that "users are also able to record in H-LOG format and add professional colour grading to change the style of videos – while retaining the quality and details of the footage."

Night mode isn't just for photos, with Nokia boasting that users can "create even more memories with Night video mode - the 2.8μm super pixel powered wide-angle sensor, helps reveal brighter visuals with less noise.

"The device is also complete with immersive 360° OZO audio recording for true-to-life spatial accuracy. In addition, video HDR mode allows you to capture more details when working with deep shadows and bright lighting. Plus, record fast-moving action, whether you’re filming your weekly run, playing with the kids or taking in the scenery with intelligent action-cam stabilisation, which ensures your video is smooth and steady."

As for still photography, Nokia boasts its PureView quad camera with ZEISS Optics lets you "shoot stunning close-ups, phenomenal landscapes, vibrant portraits and everything in- between with the macro lens, ultra-wide lens and dedicated depth sensor. The 64MP camera delivers extraordinary detail and sensitivity through pixel binning technology."

There's also a fingerprint sensor built into the power button "for a smoother and more seamless way to access your phone".

While this model comes with Android 10, it is "Android 11 ready and comes with a secure and up-to- date guarantee, which includes two years of OS upgrades and three years of monthly security updates".

All Nokia phone activation and performance data "are stored in Hamina, Finland and protected by European security measures and legislation, including EU data privacy regulations, such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)."

As for design, Nokia says it offers "pristine Nordic design with the best of Android" which was "inspired by its Finnish roots", which includes "a colour straight from the arctic sky. Coming in Polar Night, the Nokia 8.3 5G’s rear cover is created with a metallisation technology with a signature light refraction pattern that lets colours blend to resemble the Northern Lights."

So, what about that battery life? Details below, but first, Nokia's 18-minute video overnight celebrating the launch of the Nokia 8.3 5G, the 007 connection, two other Nokia models, the Nokia EarBuds Lite and a new Nokia bluetooth speaker - the article continues with more videos below, please read on!

"The Only Gadget You'll Need" - Nokia's official launch video:

Battery life:

Well, as Nokia states of most of its models, the Nokia 8.3 5G has an "up to" 2-day battery life, with the battery rated at 4500mAh. The fine print says the "2-day battery testing was conducted using a real life usage test by HMD Global. The test included active usage of a device for 5 hours per day with a new battery. Usage included e.g. gaming, video streaming, calling, sending sms, browsing and using apps (such as social media, news, navigation and music). The test was conducted with normal device settings in a lit indoor environment. The device was left on standby overnight."

So, with any luck, the promise of this kind of battery life is true, because there really is no good time for your battery to die, whether you're a secret agent or not!

What's the 007 connection?

Of course, that leads us into Nokia's 007 connection, which is a clever tie in and a move away from the Sony tie-ins of the past, with both Pierce Brosnan's Bond sporting his Sony Ericsson device that could remote control his car, and Daniel Craig's use of Sony smartphones in his Bond movies.

Nokia's superlative marketing spiel says the Nokia 8.3 5G is "showcasing HMD Global’s commitment to security, speed and innovation by meeting the demands of the world’s toughest customers – 00 agents – the Nokia 8.3 5G is the smartphone of choice by the newest 00 agent in the upcoming James Bond movie No Time To Die, premiering 12 November 2020."

British actress, Lashana Lynch, who plays 00 agent Nomi, in the 25th James Bond movie No Time to Die, has been photographed entirely on the Nokia 8.3 5G by ‘phone-ographer’ Ben Maclean. Lashana, dressed as Nomi, was captured in the Bond-inspired shoot - featuring an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera and a Triumph Thruxton RS motorbike from the upcoming movie - with special effects and a 30-foot rig that suspended Maclean in the air to snap the ultimate shot. The epic 00 shoot marks the official release of the Nokia 8.3 5G smartphone as the ‘only gadget you’ll ever need’, featuring four cameras to enable 64MP photos, 4K filming and ZEISS cinematic film effects.

The behind the scenes video and photos with Ben Maclean and Lashana Lynch is here:

You can see 00 agent Nomi in a 90 second Nokia promo video here:

So, what else does Nokia have to say?

Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer and Vice President of North America, HMD Global said: “Together with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.,® we were able to create a truly global 5G smartphone with the Nokia 8.3 5G.

"Being the first manufacturer to implement the Qualcomm® 765G 5G Modular Platform in a smartphone, we were able to condense more than 40 different radio frequency components into one single integrated module that gives the Nokia 8.3 5G industry-leading 5G performance. By supporting the highest number of 5G New Radio bands, the Nokia 8.3 5G is a truly future-proof global 5G smartphone.

"We’re also very excited to enable Australians to capture and share 5G-worthy experiences. Whether it’s action-cam mode videos or creative shots with ZEISS Cinema effects, the powerful PureView quad camera with ZEISS Optics has features for everyone. Our innovative PureDisplay technology powered by the Pixelworks visual processor will ensure you get excellent dynamic range and amazing colour reproduction whether you’re streaming media or playing a game.”

Here's the video of Nokia's 2020 phones announcement from March 24, 2020 - the Nokia 8.3 5G specs are directly below the video:

Nokia 8.3 5G specs:

Design

• Colors: Polar Night
• Size: 171.90 x 78.56 x 8.99 mm
• Weight: 227 g

Performance

• Operating system: Android 10
• RAM: 6 GB, 8 GB LPDDR 4x
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G Modular Platform

Connectivity

• Cable: type USB Type-C
• SIM cards: Dual SIM and Single SIM models available
• SIM card type: Nano SIM
• Sensors: Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer (G-sensor), E-compass, Gyroscope, Power button fingerprint sensor
• Keys: The Google Assistant Button

Cameras

• Rear cameras: PureView quad camera imaging system with ZEISS Optics. 64 MP sensor, 12 MP sensor with ultra-wide lens, 2 MP depth sensor and 2 MP sensor with macro lens
• Dual high CRI Rear flash
• Front-facing camera: 24 MP
• Other ZEISS Optics

Battery

• Battery: type 4500 mAh
• Charging: 9V/2A

Storage

• Internal storage: 64/128 GB5
• MicroSD card slot: Support for up to 512 GB

Display

• Size and type: 6.81” FHD+ PureDisplay
• Display ratio: 20:9

Audio

• 3.5 mm headphone jack
• FM radio receiver (headset required)
• OZO audio

Network and connectivity

• Network speed: LTE Category 18, 5G NSA/SA and DSS supported
• 5G NR: n1, n2, n3, n5,n7, n8, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n78
• GSM: 850, 900 35 dBm
• GSM: 1800, 1900 32 dBm
• WCDMA: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 25 dBm
• LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8,12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
• WiFi 802.11: a/b/g/n/ac
• NFC
• Bluetooth 5.0
• GPS/AGPS+GLONASS+Beidou

In the box

• Nokia 8.3 5G device
• Quick start guide
• Charger
• Headset
• Type-C USB cable
• SIM tray tool