Nokia 9 PureView gets face unlock, new camera features in first update

It’s tough to say which smartphone was the true star of Mobile World Congress 2019, but most would agree the Nokia 9 PureView is a major contender. The long-awaited flagship from HMD Global is a photographer’s dream with its penta-lens camera setup on the rear.

The Nokia 9 PureView is getting its first software update today, and it brings in a bevy of new features. According to Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer at HMD, the update will bring new ways to tune image quality.

According to XDA Developers, which has already seen the update, the new software upgrade also brings face unlock. This is one of the first times face unlock has been made available on a Nokia device. You set it up much like you would a fingerprint — although it can’t be used like a fingerprint for secure functions, such as mobile payments.

The software update also brings the February 2019 Android security patch. Strangely, the changelog says it brings the March 2019 patch, but XDA confirms it is actually February’s. Considering the March patch only landed yesterday, it would be pretty notable if HMD was already pushing it out.

The Nokia 9 PureView officially landed in stores on March 3 for $699. However, it is available at Best Buy for $150 off the list price. Click the button below to grab yours!