Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) has launched a new family of smartphones — Nokia X — at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The first three budget smartphones in this family are: X, X+ and XL. These devices run on the Nokia X OS platform, a tweaked version of Android. These devices are targeted at emerging markets, and include the Fastlane user interface found on Asha devices.
Nokia to launch more phones in X series
Nokia X offers 1GHz dual-core processor, 3MP fixed-focus main camera, 512MB RAM, and 4GB onboard storage. The word “family” suggests that these three are not the only devices running on the new platform. Despite Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s purchase of Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V)’s handset business, there will be more affordable smartphones in the X-series later this year. “X” indicates a crossover between Nokia design, Android apps and Microsoft services.
Nokia X users won’t be able to access Google Play Store. But they can run Android apps, which can be downloaded from Nokia store. The company has ditched many of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s services to replace them with Bing, Outlook, Skype, OneDrive and Here Maps. The company is offering 7GB of free cloud storage space on OneDrive, and one month of free international calls in select markets on Skype.
Nokia X to have many third-party apps pre-installed
All three phones in Nokia X family support dual-SIM functionality. The entry-level Nokia X costs 89 euros, and will be available in select markets immediately. We reported last week that the device entered mass production in Hungary a few week ago. Nokia X+ has more storage space and memory. It comes with a price tag of 99 euros, and will be released in Q2 2014. Nokia XL, which includes more features than the other two, will cost 109 euros.
Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) said that a number of third-party apps like Twitter, Vine, BBM, Viber, Plants vs Zombies 2 will come pre-installed on all three devices. Other leading apps such as Facebook, Line Camera, Spotify, Swiftkey, Skype, Line Bubble, Real Football 2014, Picstart, WeChat and many others will also be available. Nokia has reportedly shipped the devices to Indian developers to produce more apps for the new platform.
Nokia launches new Asha phones
In addition, Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) released two new handsets in the Asha series: the ultra-affordable Asha 220 and Asha 230. Both devices are aimed at developing countries. At just $40 before taxes, Asha 220 brings services like Nokia Xpress browser and apps like Facebook and Twitter. Meanwhile, Asha 230 provides access to apps like OneDrive and Nokia Mix Radio, and the option to take “voice-guided selfies”. Both new Asha phones will ship in the first week of March.
Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) shares slipped 0.13% to $7.45 in pre-market trading Monday.
