Nokia has launched its first Android phone, with the heavily rumoured Nokia X officially unveiled at MWC 2014 alongside the Nokia X plus .
Although the company was tipped to launch a direct Android handset, Nokia has adopted a different approach, building the new Nokia X line around Google’s open source Android software, adding a range of its own applications and services.
“These are two beautifully designed, affordable Nokia handsets,” Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said in announcing the new product line.
He added: “
“The Nokia X is all about giving you access to the world of Android apps. The Nokia X takes users to Microsoft’s Cloud, not Google’s Cloud, this was very intentional.”
Nokia X Features
As previously teased, the Nokia X is an entry-level handset and far from an Android powerhouse that would be sure to bother the inbound Samsung Galaxy S5 or HTC One 2.
Although exact specs are still thin on the ground, Nokia has confirmed that both handsets will feature 4-inch touchscreen displays with basic 854 x 480 pixel resolutions.
Unlike most Android based handsets, the Nokia X range will not feature Google’s own applications and services, with the likes of Google Maps and the Google Play Store replaced with Nokia’s own offerings.
Much like the company’s Lumia and Asha lines, the Nokia X family will be available in a range of colours, with green, red and yellow colour schemes to be made available alongside more traditional hues. The Nokia X Plus will, unlike its sibling, feature SD card expansion.
Nokia X owners will also benefit from a month’s free Skype premium access, giving users free calls to mobiles and landlines through the Skype platform.
Nokia X Release Date and Price
Although Nokia has confirmed release plans for the Nokia X and Nokia X Plus, the company has yet to confirm whether or not the Android-based handsets will be rolled out to the UK. At present the company has revealed the handsets will be rolled out to “emerging markets” first.
While the Nokia X will be available with immediate effect for 79 euros, the more advanced Nokia X Plus will land in early Q2 with a 99 euro price tag.
Read more: Best mobile phones 2014
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.