Nokia X To Target Developing Markets With March 15 Launch In India

The Nokia X and Nokia X+ smartphones are not launching in the US but they will be launching in developing markets like India starting March 15. The main selling point of these devices is that they are cheap Android devices with low-end specs and a Windows Phone style interface sold at bottom of the barrel prices. The Nokia X has a 4-inch display, dual-core 1GHz processor and a 3-megapixel camera. It is very much an entry level device. 

In a developing market like India such a device could prove highly popular since its price without a contract is $140 in India, so about 8500 rupees. In Europe the price is even lower at 89 euros, equivalent to $125. The Nokia X+ with slightly better specs is more expensive at 99 euros or $139 or 8400 rupees. The Nokia XL with a 5-inch display is similarily expected to be slightly more expensive at 109 euros or 9200 rupees. 

Clearly Nokia is targeting the same market that Motorola is with the Moto G which is $175 and has been selling like hot cakes in India. The Moto G was quickly sold out at online retailers after launching in India. Based off the price it seems that Nokia is anticipating the same reception for the Nokia X, Nokia X+ and Nokia XL as they roll out in Asia-Pacific, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The only downside to the Nokia Android phones is that Google apps and services cannot be used without rooting. So that means no Gmail, no Google Play Store, no Google Maps and other services,. Insteaed substitute Nokia services must be used. Regardless we anticipate that these smartphones will do well once they launch.