Microsoft has launched a new affordable Nokia phone dubbed ‘Nokia 130’ with a price tag of just €19 (about £15, $25, or AU$28), to cater low-end market needs.
The new phone is one of the first devices announced by the Redmond post its acquisition of the Finnish company Nokia’s phone-manufacturing line.
The Nokia 130 features a 1.8-inch QQVGA (160×128 pixels) screen, an alphanumeric hardware keypad, dual-band GSM support on a Mini SIM card, and a 1020mAh removable battery that is claimed to last up to 36 days on standby. Connectivity options include 2G network support, Bluetooth 3.0 (with Nokia’s Slam technology) and Micro-USB for connection and charging.
Although the Nokia 130 doesn’t support internet, it does offer everyday “essentials” such as a flashlight, FM radio, Music Player, Calculator, Alarm Clock and USB charging. There’s also playback support for video stored on microSD cards up to 32GB, and Bluetooth and USB for sharing content between devices. The phonebook can save up to 500 contacts.
Jo Harlow, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for phones, in a statement, said the Nokia 130 is the best option for people seeking their first device.
Microsoft is expected to ship Nokia 130 and its Dual SIM variant sometime in the third quarter of the year in red, black, or white colour option. The Nokia 130 will likely be launched in China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam also. However, there’s no word about a UK release yet.
