Nokia reveals Lumia 720, Lumia 520, 105, 301 at MWC
updated 06:53 am EST, Mon February 25, 2013
Phone for emerging markets to cost 15 euros at launch
Nokia used its press conference at Mobile World Congress to show off four new handsets. Both the Lumia 720 and Lumia 520 smartphones continue the company line of Windows Phone devices, while the Nokia 105 and Nokia 301 are budget-aimed devices with limited functionality, but offer a good value to potential customers in emerging markets.
The Lumia 720 uses a 1GHz Snapdragon S4 processor with 512MB of RAM to run Windows Phone 8 on the device. Using a 4.3-inch 800x480-resolution IPS display protected with Gorilla Glass, the Lumia 720 offers what Nokia calls a super sensitive touchscreen, able to be operated by fingernails or while wearing gloves. Internally it has 8GB of storage, as well as access to 7GB of cloud storage, while the 6.7-megapixel primary camera sensor uses Carl Zeiss lenses.
Using the same camera lenses as found on the Lumia 920, the Lumia 520 is claimed to be Nokia's most affordable Windows Phone 8 smartphone. Internally, it is similar to the Lumia 720, with the same processor, RAM, and storage, though the screen is a slightly-smaller 4 inches, and the rear camera has a 5-megapixel sensor.
The Nokia 105 and 301 are the company's attempts at penetrating emerging markets. Though the Nokia 105 is the lower-specification of the two, it offers an FM radio, a speaking clock, pillowed keys, a flashlight, a dust and splash-proof case, and a battery life claimed to last as long as 35 days, and will have a price of around 15 euros ($20) on release. The more-expensive Nokia 301, at 65 euros ($85), will offer a simplified handset with some smartphone-like features. Access to 3.5G data connections is provided, as well as video streaming and some camera features that first appeared in the Lumia line.
Both the Nokia 301 and 105 will be rolling out in emerging markets initially before appearing in other regions, in Q2 2013 and Q1 2013 respectively. Of the Lumias, the Lumia 720 will cost around 250 euros ($330) and will initially roll out in Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore in Q1 before hitting other markets in Q2. The Lumia 520 has a similar release timescale, but with a price of 140 euros ($185)
