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MICROSOFT HAS REVEALED its first branded smartphone that drops the Nokia name, months after it bought its handset division.
The Lumia 535 is a 5-inch low-end smartphone with a 5MP front and rear camera, as it markets itself to the selfie market.
The device will come in both a 3G single SIM and a 3G smart Dual SIM, and will include Windows Phone 8.1 and the Lumia Denim update, which brings improvements to the camera software and editing features.
According to Microsoft, the device will be released this month in select markets (i.e. emerging markets), and is expected to cost around €110.
The smartphone has a 1.2Ghz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and contains 8GB of storage. It also has a microSD slot which can support cards of up to 128GB.
Although the most noticeable thing about it is when you turn the phone over, where it shows the Microsoft brand in black writing.
This is the first device that Microsoft has announced without the Nokia branding. Earlier this year, it acquired Nokia’s handset division for €5.4 billion. Nokia continues to exist as a networks, mapping and technology licensing company.
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Economies of scale. Huge market in low to medium end handsets. Its a market dominated by companies such as Samsung and even to an extent Nokia. Not everyone needs the most expensive handset. I use a Lumia, cost me 99 euro and allows me to do all the vital things like take selfies, email and post witty comments to the Journal from the toilet in work.
8mb of storage, now that really is low end!!
To my shame, that’s a typo and should read 8GB. Apologies for the error (although the low-end comment still applies in this case).
I agree Quinton, his comment was of low end standard.
Christ. Microsoft release a crappy low end device after their takeover of Nokia. They should have halted all these projects until they had something ‘WOW’. A true flagship device. Something that would grab attention and actually sell
Why?
They’ll move much more of these than high end ones and as a result there will be more people using their OS and as result more apps will be developed, thus making their high end ones more appealing when they get launched.
Real money is to be made in emerging markets where not everyone has a smartphone or can afford an expensive one. Microsoft has its sights set on this market
Yes I agree with you Brian, but Nokia/Microsoft have been doing this for the past few years with the likes of the 510, 620 and 710. I just wish that Microsoft could have gone bigger for the worlds first Non-Nokia Windows Phone. I’ve been a user of WP since 2010, but in recent times i’ve become frustrated at Nokia/Microsofts marketing strategy.
Give it a few years… all old Nokia phones will be worth money (alot more if its still in original packaging)
I love my Nokia Lumia 365 it cost me E170 to buy. First ever touch phone. When my phone updated itself to windows 8 it hasn’t been the best. Don’t care what a phone look’s like, once I can get on the internet that’s all I need.
Won’t make the slightest difference, awful operating system and it’s no wonder few networks will carry this device.
I’m an android user and love it but used windows phone and ios for a year and the windows phone os is extremely stable, no random crashing and force closing like android and a breeze to use …the only thing that works against it is its lack of apps due to the fact it arrived too late on to the market and android and iOS was already miles ahead in the app department
I agree with JackKnife. I’ve had absolutely no problems regarding the WP8 OS in the two years I’ve had a windows phone. The only issue is a lack of apps, although it has decent versions (official or third party) out for all the main ones you would want.
What exactly is awful about it, Joey?
Also, another thing to note – Few networks carry WP8 devices? I just had a quick look and see that Vodafone, 02, Meteor and Three (who I’m with) all carry at least two windows devices currently.
The OS is fluid and rarely crashes in comparison to Android. Its Nokias marketing strategy that failed here in Ireland. Thats why you don’t see networks carrying Nokia phones. In store staff know little or nothing about WP, and its rare that you see display devices or posters.
Is the end for €20 Nokia “Button” phones?
Feeling a little nostalgia for my old Nokia 6310i. Ah, what a battery life you had!
If only they had just ran android!!!
I still wouldn’t buy a windows phone
It says 8GB?
Windows phones are very good and getting each year even better, I’m glad there is something else between android and apple.
have your say