Nokia unveils first Android phone

Nokia has unveiled a budget phone which is the company's first phone to use Google's Android operating system rather than Windows software.

Nokia has unveiled its first phone to run on Google's Android operating system rather than Microsoft's competing Windows Phone software.

The Nokia X, unveiled on the first morning of the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, is a low-cost handset targeted at emerging markets.

Nokia will bin many of the Google services that come with Android and instead emphasise Microsoft apps including Bing search, Skype, and OneDrive file storage.

Because it uses Android, it will be able to run most Android apps.

However, app developers may have to tweak some of their software because the phone doesn't have key Google services.

Stephen Elop, executive vice president of Nokia's Devices and Services, said the company wanted to "connect the next billion people".

Once the No. 1 maker of mobile phones, Nokia has been struggling to keep up with the iPhone and devices running Android.

And even as competition intensifies for high-end smartphones such as the Xperia Z series, Nokia has been hit by competition from cheaper mobile phones made by Chinese and other Asian companies.

The Nokia X will sell for 89 euros ($A137.12) immediately in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

Nokia is understood to be considering whether to bring the phone to Australia.

The company also introduced two cheaper phones - the Nokia 220 and the Asha 230, which will cost 29 euros ($A44.68) and 45 euros ($A69.33) respectively.

* Paddy Wood travelled to Barcelona as a guest of Samsung.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world