“…the new Nokia 3 V puts the emphasis (so far as authentication and device unlocking goes) on facial recognition.”

Finland-based HMD Global has released its latest Nokia smartphone: the Nokia 3V, which features biometric authentication.

Building on the Nokia 2 V launched near the start of this year, the new Nokia 3 V puts the emphasis (so far as authentication and device unlocking goes) on facial recognition. It also features a fingerprint sensor, located on the back of the device — something of a technological step backwards from the Nokia 9 PureView released earlier this year, which had featured an in-display fingerprint sensor together with facial recognition.

This doesn’t necessarily signal that in-display sensor technology has fallen out of favor, so far as Nokia is concerned. Unlike the premium-priced Nokia 9 PureView, the Nokia 3 V will be offered through Verizon starting at $168, placing it firmly in the budget range for smartphones. In-display fingerprint scanning is still generally considered a premium feature, and given its cost in terms of components and manufacturing, it makes sense that the Nokia 3 V would not feature it.

That’s not to say that the Nokia 3 V doesn’t have some good specs. In announcing the device, HMD Global highlighted its 6.26″ HD+ display and its long-lasting Adaptive Battery, which uses AI to dynamically route power to certain apps or processes. It also prominently features user interaction based on the Google Assistant, a move designed to capitalize on the growing trend of voice interaction among smartphone users.

The Nokia 3 V will be available starting August 23rd through select Verizon stores and the Verizon website.