Microsoft Devices Group has unveiled the Nokia X2, the newest addition to the expanding Nokia X family of affordable smartphones designed to introduce the “next billion” people to the mobile Internet and cloud services.
The Nokia X2 represents the rapid evolution of the Nokia X family, delivering an enhanced experience across apps, hardware and the user interface. The Nokia X2 offers stunning design, a more visually striking Fastlane, more Microsoft services, and upgraded specifications including a 4,3-inch ClearBlack display and 5MP rear camera with autofocus and flash.
At a suggested retail price of just 99 euros,1 the Nokia X2 is a compelling choice for a new generation of smartphone buyers.
Like the Nokia X, the new Nokia X2 provides access to a world of Android apps and popular Microsoft services, while allowing people to switch between their favourite apps with the Fastlane feature. The Nokia X2 delivers an even more intuitive, smoother user experience powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor featuring a dual core 1.2GHz CPU and 1Gb of RAM.
The Nokia X2 debuts the next-generation Nokia X Software Platform 2.0 and major enhancements to the user interface. People can choose between three types of screens to facilitate navigation: the colourful “home” with resizable tiles; Fastlane to access recent apps and future calendar items; and a new Lumia-inspired apps list, from which people can pin items to the home screen.
A pull-down notifications tab also allows people to glance at connectivity options as well as actionable items, such as software updates available for download. A new home key and visual multitasking complete the experience.
As a gateway to Microsoft services, the Nokia X family is driving strong uptake of services such as Skype and OneDrive, while complementing the Lumia family of smartphones. The Nokia X2 will debut with Outlook.com, Skype and OneDrive pre-loaded, with more available from the Nokia Store, including the Bing Search app.
New-to-the-line-up services including OneNote and Yammer are also available to download free from the Nokia Store. OneNote allows people to create notes and save them to the cloud through OneDrive, while Yammer makes collaborating with people online as easy as posting to a social network.
The option to automatically back up the camera roll to OneDrive takes full advantage of 15Gb of free cloud storage now available through the service, for safeguarding photos, videos, documents and more.
The Nokia X2 will also introduce new third-party titles such as LINE Ranger, Brewster and Findery. Instagram, WeChat, Skype, Benji Bananas Adventures and many more are already available on the redesigned, easy-to-navigate Nokia Store — the place for finding the highest-quality Android apps for the Nokia X family.
The Nokia X2 features a seamless monobody and showcases a new approach to the design of the exchangeable back covers that fuses a brightly collared core with a translucent outer layer. The overall result is a durable device that appears lit from within.
The Nokia X2 will be available at launch in glossy orange, black and green, with glossy yellow, white and matte dark grey coming later to the line-up.
“The Nokia X family is going from strength to strength, with the Nokia X smartphone achieving top-selling status in Pakistan, Russia, Kenya and Nigeria, while earning the third-best-selling smartphone spot in India,” says Timo Toikkanen, head of Mobile Phones, Microsoft Devices Group.
“The Nokia X2 elevates the Nokia X experience with a stellar new design, ease of use and new Microsoft experiences. We’re proud to continue to bring smartphone innovation to lower and lower price points.”
The Nokia X2 will be available initially as a dual-SIM device and will begin rolling out globally in July 2014 for €99.00.
