Microsoft launches Nokia X2 for Rs 8,699

Nokia X2 is representative of the evolution of the Nokia X family, delivering an enhanced experience across user interface, hardware and apps, Microsoft said in a statement. 

Beefing up its budget smartphone portfolio, Microsoft Devices today launched Nokia X2, priced at Rs. 8,699, in India to compete more aggressively with the likes of Samsung as well as homegrown firms like Micromax.

The Nokia X2 was unveiled globally in June as a successor to its Android—centred Nokia X handsets. Nokia X2 is representative of the evolution of the Nokia X family, delivering an enhanced experience across user interface, hardware and apps, Microsoft said in a statement.

In February this year, Nokia had announced the ‘Nokia X’ family of affordable smartphones, running Google’s Android apps, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

It has four devices — Nokia X, Nokia X+, Nokia XL and Nokia X2 — under the Nokia X range. Microsoft also sells Asha and Lumia range of smartphones. 

With a 1.2GHz dual-core supporting Microsoft apps like Skype and Outlook, the handset will offer 15GB of free cloud storage on OneDrive. supporting Microsoft apps like Skype and Outlook, the handset will offer 15GB of free cloud storage on OneDrive.  

“The enhancements on the Nokia X2 lead to a richer, faster and easier experience designed to introduce the ‘next billion’ people to the mobile Internet and cloud services,” Nokia India Sales (a subsidiary of Microsoft Mobile Oy) Head Mobile Phones Sari Harju said.  

Microsoft Devices operates the handset business acquired from Nokia earlier this year for over $7.2 billion.   

The roadmap ahead for the Nokia X family is, however, not clear.    

Microsoft, in July, had said it plans to shift select products from the Android—powered range to Windows platform as it beefs up the affordable Lumia range.

 The sub-Rs 10,000 smartphone category is a fiercely competed segment with international as well as homegrown players such as Micromax, Karbonn and Lava vying for a larger chunk of the market. Microsoft estimates the affordable mobile devices market to be a “ $50-billion annual opportunity“.

According to analysts, India is the fastest growing smartphone market globally with over 44 million smartphones sold last year.

Microsoft continues to invest in services for the Nokia X family

As a gateway to Microsoft services, the Nokia X family is driving strong uptake of services such as Skype and OneDrive, while complementing the Lumia family of smartphones.

The Nokia X2 will debut with Outlook, Skype and OneDrive pre-loaded, with more available from the Nokia Store, including the Bing Search app.

New-to-the-lineup services including OneNote and Yammer are also available to download free[2] from the Nokia Store.

OneNote allows people to create notes and save them to the cloud through OneDrive, while Yammer makes collaborating with people online as easy as posting to a social network.

The option to automatically back up the camera roll to OneDrive takes full advantage of 15 GB of free cloud storage now available through the service, for safeguarding photos, videos, documents and more. 

 Stunning, distinctive design The Nokia X2 features a seamless monobody and showcases a new approach to the design of the exchangeable back covers that fuses a brightly colored core with a translucent outer layer.

The overall result is a durable device that appears lit from within.

The Nokia X2 will be available at launch in glossy orange, black and green, with glossy yellow, white and matte dark grey coming later to the lineup.

(With inputs from PTI)

Photograph: Courtesy, Nokia