Nokia C1 and C2 target developing world, travelers

Nokia swung its attention to the most basic level of the phone world today by launching a pair of very low-cost phones with dual SIM card slots. The C1-00 is the first phone with the feature and is designed for those in the developing world, or simply who travel often, to switch between different carriers without getting a second phone. Although the starter phone has no camera and touts a color screen, FM radio and flashlight as main features, it has an extremely long six-week standby time.

The C1-00 ships first of the new phones launched today and will cost just 30 euros ($37) even without a carrier discount.

Two close variants of the C1, the C1-01 and C1-02, both have single SIM slots but gain a microSDHC slot and thus enough space for real media storage. They also bring GPRS-based web access, and the C1-01 has a VGA camera for basic photography. The -01 and -02 models ship in the fall at respective prices of 35 and 39 euros ($43 and $48).

The other dual-SIM phone, the C2-00, is built for those who need a constant connection; it can keep both SIMs alive to take a call from either; one of these can be hot-swapped for those who may have even more SIMs, such as from prepaid carriers. A microSDHC slot is also present on the device, which is the most expensive of the group but still inexpensive at 45 euros ($55).

Uniting all of these is the new Bicycle Charger Kit. The device mounts on handlebars and uses the bike pedals to power a dynamo and charge many typical Nokia phones. The approach gives owners with little to no home power a way to keep a phone alive, or even those in more affluent areas who want to use their own natural energy to avoid consuming power from the grid. Nokia puts the kit at 15 euros ($18) and will have it ready by the end of the year.

C1-00



C1-01



C1-02



C2-00

By Electronista Staff