Nokia announced three low-cost smartphones running the Google operating system Android at this year's Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona.
Nokia primarily powers its smartphones with the Windows Phone operating system. Platform limitations of the Windows Phone OS have blocked the Finnish phone maker from creating less expensive, entry-level devices - until now.
The Nokia X Line
This Monday, Nokia introduced the Nokia X Line, which is composed of the Nokia X, Nokia X+ and Nokia XL. These devices will be available for 89, 99 and 109 euros - or $122, $135 and $150, respectively. Prices do not include carrier subsidies.
It is a 4-inch screen, 3-megapixel camera and 512MB RAM for Nokia X. Nokia X+ has a 4-inch screen, 3-megapixel camera, 768 MB RAM plus a 4-gigabyte microSD card. Meanwhile, the Nokia XL comes with a 5-inch screen, 768 MB RAM, 5-megapixel camera and a 4GB microSD card. Qualcomm Snapdragon 1 Gigahertz dual-core processor powers each of the three, which will be available in a range of colors.
Android Phones
The Nokia X line devices are all powered by Google's Android, but they are designed to retain the Windows Phone feel. The user interface of these smartphones copies that of Windows Phone (it also copies many apps that are exclusive to Microsoft and Nokia), such as cloud storage Microsoft OneDrive, Skype and Nokia MixRadio. Users can download Android apps via the Nokia Shop.
Nokia X Line will be immediately available in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Nokia X+ and XL will be on sale in the same markets next quarter. There was no mention, however, as for its availability in the United States.
