Nokia announced three new devices at the Mobile World Congress: Nokia X, Nokia X+ and Nokia XL. These low-cost smartphones run on a customized version of Android. The Finnish company is targeting the “next billion” smartphone users in emerging markets. None of the core Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) services such as Play Store, Google Maps, Google Search, etc. will be available on these devices. Instead, Nokia has built its own app store. These smartphones will mainly feature Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) services like Skype, Outlook, Bing and others.
Free services on Nokia X-series devices
The Nokia X will start shipping immediately. But the Nokia X+ and XL will be available only in the second quarter. The Espoo, Finland-based company hasn’t said anything about its plans to release the devices in the U.S. and UK markets. All three handsets will offer these services for free:
- HERE maps with integrated turn-by-turn navigation and “true offline maps.”
- 10GB free cloud storage from OneDrive
- Nokia MixRadio for downloadable playlists and ad-free music streaming
- Skype with one month of free access to unlimited international calls to landline in 60 countries
- Apps and games like Facebook, Twitter, Vine, Fruit Ninja, and Tetris
Nokia X
Priced at €89, the Nokia X is the most basic device in the X-family. It will have a 4-inch IPS LCD display with 800 x 480 resolution, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage space expandable up to 32GB, and 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon chipset. The handset has a 3MP main camera, and it weighs 128gm. Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) has promised 10.5 hours of talk time and 22 days of standby time on 3G.
Nokia X+
Nokia X+ costs €99, and it has two major advantages over Nokia X: 768MB of RAM and a 4GB microSD card pre-installed. So, this handset has 8GB storage space out-of-the-box. All other features including dimensions, weight, camera, screen size, resolution, standby time and talk time are same as the Nokia X.
Nokia XL
As the name suggests, the XL has a bigger display at 5 inches, but the resolution remains the same at 800 x 480. Nokia XL has 768MB RAM, 8GB storage (with 4GB of pre-installed microSD) expandable up to 32GB. This handset boasts of a better 5MP rear camera with LED flash and autofocus, and 2MP front-camera. The XL is priced at 109 euros. It weighs 190gm. The XL promises up to 13 hours of talk time and 26 days of standby time on 3G.
