Nokia showcases new affordable cellphones

SINGAPORE: Handset major Nokia, which unveiled its N9 smartphone on Tuesday, also added to its device portfolio with the launch of three new affordable mobile phones — the Nokia C2-02, Nokia C2-03 and Nokia C2-06.

While unveiling the new models, Mary McDowell, the head of Nokia's Mobile Phones business unit, said these phones all offer a web, maps and messaging experience second to none in the market.

“And with the choice of a touch screen or a keypad, we really have made everything available and easy to use in an affordable phone that comes in both dual or single SIM options.”

The Nokia C2-03, the third dual SIM phone Nokia has brought to market in the past month, comes with Nokia's unique Dual SIM capabilities, claimed the handset major. These include features that allow the user to personalize up to five SIM cards with a dedicated look and feel, and an Easy Swap option that lets users change SIM cards in seconds without having to turn off the phone or remove the battery.

The Nokia C2-02 is a single SIM version with a similar feature set, as well as push messaging options and a broad range of IM providers included, and the Nokia C2-06 comes in a range of fresh colors with a clean, smooth finish, the company added.

Surf your local map

Nokia said the phones all ship with new Nokia Maps for Series 40, where local maps and places of interest are pre-installed on the phone. This means users can view maps and plan routes when the phone is in offline mode, thus saving on the costs of downloading maps over the mobile network.

Internet for all

The C2 phones also offer Internet browsing facility and these handsets use data compression technology of the Nokia Browser, which keeps the costs of surfing low and speeds up page downloads - benefiting both consumers and operators, said Nokia.

“We want the web to be easy to access, fast and affordable for all,” continued McDowell. “The technology behind the Nokia Browser means that consumers, especially those new to the mobile Internet, can get the information they need quickly, as the Nokia Browser serves up relevant local content - making the whole experience more personal and enjoyable.”

Nokia said the three phones also pack a stereo FM radio, media player and memory support that can be expanded to a whopping 32 GB, letting users store thousands of photos, videos and music files.

The estimated retail price of the Nokia C2-02 and C2-03 is approximately EUR 75 (USD 105) and for the Nokia C2-06 it is EUR 80 (USD 112). All of the devices are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2011.

New strategy

During the launch, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop demonstrated how the company is making significant progress on the new strategy it laid out earlier this year. From smartphones to mobile phones, from services to user interface design, and from improved device experiences to developer tools, Nokia outlined actions for growth and taking leadership across the board.

“Earlier this year, we outlined a comprehensive strategy to change our course,” said Stephen Elop. “Innovation is at the heart of our strategy, and today we took important steps to demonstrate a new pace of innovation at Nokia. It's the beginning of a new era for Nokia,” he added.

Recently Nokia had unveiled its affordable Nokia C2-00 Dual SIM Internet and Nokia X1-01 Dual SIM Music phones for the Indian market, which are made at Nokia's Chennai factory.