Nokia 9 Leaked Renders Show Bezel-Less Design?

Yes, leaked renders of the Nokia 9 (originally rumored as the Nokia 9 PureView) from early 2019 showed a nearly bezel-less design with a very slim chin and almost no side bezels, along with a notchless display and a pinhole front camera. These renders, based on CAD files and early press images, depicted a phone that was a clear departure from the chunky bezels of its predecessor, the Nokia 8 Sirocco. However, the actual device that launched in February 2019 had slightly thicker bezels than the renders suggested, though it still qualified as a near-bezel-less flagship for its time.

Background: The Nokia 9 PureView and Its Design Evolution

Nokia’s smartphone revival under HMD Global began in 2017 with a lineup that emphasized build quality and stock Android, but the designs were conservative, featuring noticeable bezels above and below the display. The Nokia 8 Sirocco (2018) introduced a curved edge-to-edge display, yet it still had a prominent chin and forehead. By late 2018, the industry had moved toward notches, punch-hole cameras, and slimmer bezels. Leaks for the Nokia 9, which surfaced in December 2018 and January 2019, showed a phone with a 5.99-inch OLED display that wrapped around the edges, with a very thin bottom bezel and no notch—the front camera was placed in a small hole in the top-left corner. The renders also showed a rear panel with a distinctive pentagon-shaped camera module housing five lenses, which became the phone’s signature feature.

What the Leaked Renders Actually Showed

The leaked renders, which came from reliable leakers like OnLeaks and 91mobiles, depicted a device with:

• A nearly edge-to-edge display with curved sides and minimal top and bottom bezels.
• A punch-hole front camera cutout in the top-left corner, a design trend that was just emerging.
• No physical fingerprint sensor on the back or front—implying an in-display fingerprint sensor.
• A rear camera array with five lenses arranged in a hexagon, accompanied by an LED flash and a depth sensor.
• A polished stainless steel frame and a glass back, consistent with Nokia’s premium build.

These renders were based on CAD files, which are typically accurate for dimensions but can exaggerate bezel thinness. The final product, announced at Mobile World Congress in February 2019, had slightly thicker bezels—especially the bottom chin—but still looked very modern, with a 79% screen-to-body ratio, which was competitive for that year.

How the Design Compared to Other 2019 Flagships

In early 2019, the bezel-less race was led by phones like the Samsung Galaxy S10 (with a punch-hole camera and curved display) and the OnePlus 6T (with a waterdrop notch). The Nokia 9’s renders put it in the same league, but the final device had a slightly larger chin than the Galaxy S10. The Nokia 9 also lacked a headphone jack, which was a trade-off for the thin design. Its display was a 2K pOLED panel with HDR10 support, and the lack of a notch was a differentiator. However, the phone’s main selling point was not the screen but the five-camera system, which was the first of its kind. The bezel-less design was a nice-to-have, but the camera was the headline.

Common Misconceptions About the Leaks

A common misconception is that the leaked renders were “official� press images. In reality, they were fan-made or based on CAD files leaked from case manufacturers, so they were not 100% accurate. Another misconception is that the Nokia 9 was the first phone with a punch-hole camera—that title goes to the Samsung Galaxy A8s (December 2018). The Nokia 9’s punch-hole was just one of many. Also, some people expected the phone to have a truly “zero-bezel� design, but that is physically impossible for a phone with a front camera and earpiece. The renders were aspirational, not literal.

How to Evaluate Leaked Renders

When you see leaked renders, keep these factors in mind:

• Source: CAD-based renders are usually dimensionally accurate but may not show final materials or finish.
• Bezel thickness: Renders often make bezels look thinner than they are because they don’t account for the display’s black border or the phone’s frame.
• Camera modules: The size and placement of cameras are often accurate, but the number of lenses can change.
• Ports and buttons: These are usually correct, but sometimes the headphone jack is omitted in early renders.
• Release date: Leaks can be based on prototypes that never make it to production.

For the Nokia 9, the renders were close to the final product, but the bezels were slightly thicker and the camera module was tweaked. Always treat leaks as rumors until the official announcement.

Common Problems with the Nokia 9’s Design

Owners of the Nokia 9 PureView reported a few design-related issues:

• In-display fingerprint sensor was slow: The optical sensor was not as fast as capacitive sensors, and it sometimes failed on the first try.
• Glass back was slippery: The phone slid off surfaces easily, requiring a case.
• No wireless charging in some regions: Actually, the Nokia 9 did have wireless charging, but the glass back made it prone to smudges.
• Battery life was mediocre: The 3,320 mAh battery was small for a flagship, and the five-camera system drained it quickly.
• Software updates were slow: The phone launched with Android 9 but received Android 10 late, and Android 11 never came officially.

Despite these issues, the design was praised for its build quality and the unique camera module.

Alternatives to the Nokia 9 for a Bezel-Less Experience

If you are looking for a phone with a truly bezel-less design today, the Nokia 9 is outdated. Modern alternatives include:

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Has a nearly flat display with minimal bezels and a punch-hole camera.
• Google Pixel 8 Pro: Offers a clean Android experience with slim bezels.
• Xiaomi 14 Pro: Features a quad-curved display with very thin bezels.
• OnePlus 12: Has a punch-hole camera and minimal bezels at a lower price.

These phones also have better cameras, faster processors, and longer software support than the Nokia 9. If you specifically want a phone with a notchless display and a punch-hole camera, any of these are good choices.

Cost and Value of the Nokia 9 Today

The Nokia 9 PureView launched at $699 in the US, but its price dropped quickly. As of 2025, you can find used units for under $150. However, buying a used Nokia 9 is not recommended for most people because:

• The camera software is buggy and slow.
• The phone is no longer supported with security updates.
• The battery may have degraded.
• Spare parts are scarce.

If you are on a budget, a newer mid-range phone like the Samsung Galaxy A54 or Pixel 7a offers a better experience for a similar price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Nokia 9 have a notch?

No, the Nokia 9 PureView did not have a notch. Instead, it used a punch-hole cutout for the front camera, which is a small circular hole in the top-left corner of the display.

Was the Nokia 9 truly bezel-less?

No, no phone is truly bezel-less. The Nokia 9 had very slim side bezels and a slightly thicker bottom chin, but it still had a visible frame around the display. The leaked renders made the bezels look thinner than they were.

How many cameras did the Nokia 9 have?

The Nokia 9 had five rear cameras: two RGB sensors (12 MP each) and three monochrome sensors (12 MP each), plus a depth sensor and a flash. They worked together to capture more light and detail, but the processing was slow.

Is the Nokia 9 worth buying in 2025?

No, the Nokia 9 is not worth buying in 2025 because it lacks software updates, has mediocre battery life, and its camera performance is outdated. There are many better budget and mid-range phones available.

Did the Nokia 9 have a headphone jack?

No, the Nokia 9 did not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. It relied on USB-C audio and wireless Bluetooth headphones.

What was the screen size of the Nokia 9?

The Nokia 9 had a 5.99-inch pOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels (QHD+). It supported HDR10 and had an aspect ratio of 18:9.

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