MS to intro new Nokia cheap phone for Rs 1,500

CALIFORNIA, US: Amid speculations on Micosoft's intentions on continuing with Nokia's non-smartphone business, Microsoft has announced a new entry-level mobile phone, which will reach the market as Nokia 130.

The company billed the €19* device ( as "the most affordable mobile phone with video and music player". In both cases, the ability to add content via the microSD expansion slot was highlighted, no doubt due to the lack of high-speed data support (it is dual-band GSM only, with no WiFi).

The new announcement comes on the backdrop of Microsoft's recent confirmation that it will not offer any more devices in the Nokia X series, which were powered by an Android variant integrated with Microsoft's products and services.

Citing figures from Strategy Analytics, Microsoft said that 300 million devices from the "below $35" category are sold every year.

Obviously, the Nokia 130 specification reflects the fact that it has been built to a price: it has a 1.8-inch colour screen, FM radio and Bluetooth, but no camera. A dual-SIM version is also promised.

But the modest specification also brings benefits: it supports up to 46 hours of continuous music playback on a single charge, or delivering up to 36 days standby in single-SIM form.

Nokia 130 will be available in "select" markets, including China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

*Euro 19 = 1,549.81 INR (1 EUR = 81.5692 INR)