Empowering more people with entry-level phones
Today, we announced the new Nokia 105 – Microsoft’s most affordable phone at $20 USD that is durable, reliable, and helps more people unlock new opportunities. Pekka Haverinen, Product Marketing Director at Microsoft, explains why ultra-affordable, entry-level feature phones still make a difference in the world.
“There are still millions of people around the world who don’t yet own a mobile phone, and they both need and want to be able to connect to other people,” says Pekka.
“That is why it is so important that Microsoft continues to make efforts to feed that appetite for connectivity wherever possible and to remove the constraints that many people face.”
One constraint is, of course, price.
“For many, this is the first hurdle. With the right price tag, millions of more people can start their journey into the mobile world.” says Pekka.
“In addition to that, we also need to remove the other barriers that many people face, such as the inability to charge the phone every day. And, we need to make sure their phone lasts for many years, not just one or two.”
People around the world have learnt to expect durability and reliability from mobile phones, a trend Microsoft is continuing with the new Nokia 105.
“Our phones are as tough and long-lasting as they’ve always been – and of course look great at the same time!” promises Pekka.
Regular electricity supply can sometimes be considered a luxury in many parts of the world, both in cities and rural areas. If you can’t find a power outlet, you need your phone’s battery to last for days, even weeks. This is why Microsoft’s ultra-affordable phones offer superior standby and talk time.
The new Nokia 105, for example, has standby time of up to 35 days (that’s more than a month, just on a single charge!) and talk time of up-to 15 hours. The Dual SIM variant has a standby time of up-to 25 days.
Everyday essentials like a torchlight and free entertainment like FM radio and games are also built-in; they are a necessity when electricity supply is irregular and also top wanted features for downtime.
Dual SIM phones in areas where mobile ownership is scarce means that people can share phones, and a mobile can become a phone the household can use.
“We’ve also recognised the desire for Dual SIM mobile phones. People have so many reasons to want a dual SIM device, from having separate numbers for work and family to interstate travel and sharing phones. We’re happy to announce that the new Nokia 105 Dual SIM is our most affordable Dual SIM device to date,” says Pekka.
“For anybody starting on their mobile phone journey, the new Nokia 105 could just be the start,” says Pekka.
“In the same stores that the new Nokia 105 is available, Internet-connected devices, such as the Nokia 215, will introduce you to online services such as Bing search, MSN Weather, Facebook and Twitter.”
Then on from there the Lumia range of smartphones broaden that experience further with familiar services and features, but also new ones such as OneDrive, Office, OneNote and Skype,” concludes Pekka.
The new Nokia 105 and Nokia 105 Dual SIM will be available in cyan, black and white, and will start selling globally in select markets by the end of this month, priced at USD 20 before taxes and subsidies.