Nokia unveils 5 new low-end phones

HELSINKI, FINLAND: Nokia unveiled five new low-end phone models on Wednesday, aiming to improve its offering in the emerging markets.

The world's top cellphone maker is a dominant player in many key emerging markets with market shares of 60-70 percent, but it is under strong pressure as rivals such as ZTE are try to improve their position in the low-end of the market.

Nokia's new models are priced from 20 euros ($29.26) to 54 euros, excluding operator subsidies and local taxes.

"The long battery life, with up to 22 days of standby time, is vital for people in areas where access to electricity is limited," Nokia said in a statement.

Most expensive new models, the Nokia 2220 slide and the Nokia 2690, priced at 45 euros and 54 euros, also support e-mail on the device through Nokia's Ovi Mail.

Nokia said it will open its Life Tools service -- which offers agricultural, education and information services to cellphones -- in Indonesia from early December 2009. It has offered the service so far in India.