Nokia Low-Cost Smartphones Target Emerging Markets

by Nathan Eddy

Optimized for multimedia enthusiasts, the Nokia XL features a 5-inch, capacitive color touch screen with a 5-megapixel Autofocus camera with LED flash and a front-facing 2MP camera for video calling. Rolling out in Asia-Pacific, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa early in the second quarter of this year, the XL is priced at 109 euro ($150).

The XL offers up to 16 hours of talk time and 41 days of standby time on a 2G network and up to 13 hours of talk time and 26 days of standby time on a 3G network. It includes 4GB of embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) storage and comes in in bright green, orange, cyan, yellow, black and white.

The entire Nokia X family (XL shown here) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core processor and supports Dual SIM, letting users switch SIM cards to get better rates. All devices are also preloaded with a variety of third-party apps and games. With the purchase of any Nokia X smartphone in select markets, people will get one month of Skype’s Unlimited World Subscription for a limited time, ideal for making international calls to landlines in more than 60 countries and to mobile phones in eight countries.

This handset features a 4-inch capacitive color touch screen, exclusive Nokia services like Here Maps and MixRadio, and up to 32GB MicroSD card support for expandable storage. Popular Microsoft services such as Skype, as well as satellite GPS and Dual SIM functionality, add to the value. The handset will be available in Asia-Pacific, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa in the second quarter for 99 euro ($136).

Running the company’s X software platform, the X+ model also features a 3MP fixed-focus camera and comes preloaded with 18 applications, including Facebook, and is compatible with Android apps. The Nokia X family is also an affordable introduction to popular Microsoft services, including free cloud storage using OneDrive. And for music and media fans, a stereo headset is included. Users have a choice of six colors.

The first device available, the X comes with a 4-inch in-plane switching (IPS) capacitive display and 3MP camera. The handset will go on sale immediately, starting at 89 euro ($122) and rolling out in Asia-Pacific, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Sporting 512MB of RAM and 4GB eMMC, the X also offers up to 32GB MicroSD card support.

The X family features the company’s renowned handset quality and design, and underscores Nokia’s faith in the billions of potential customers who are ready for a smartphone but require a handset at a more affordable price. Nokia’s decision to include free connectivity apps like WhatsApp suggests it understands what entry-level users want—not fancy photo editing apps, but an easy and affordable way to keep in touch with family, friends and the world around them.

Nokia also introduced its lowest-priced data-enabled phone, the colorful 220, which makes mobile Internet accessible to more people around the world. Boasting a 2.4-inch color screen and a dust- and splash-proof keypad, the 220 is an ideal choice for those experiencing mobility and the Internet for the first time, with Facebook and Twitter preloaded. Retail prices for the Nokia 220 start at 29 euro ($40).

Adding to the Asha range of devices, the 230 is the ideal introduction to full-touch mobile phones. The Asha 230 boasts all the benefits of the Asha software platform, including Fastlane and access to social apps like Line, WeChat and WhatsApp. Available in single and Dual SIM variants, it will start rolling out immediately across Asia-Pacific, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

One swipe up from the lockscreen activates the Asha 230’s camera, and one touch enables people to share images to their favorite social network. With a forthcoming software update, the Asha 230 will introduce 7GB of free cloud storage on Microsoft OneDrive and the option to automatically back up photos to the cloud. That’s a fair list of capabilities for a phone priced at just 45 euro ($61).