Nokia releases cooler phones for developing markets

Support for music, megapixel cameras and FM radio with recording are some of the features available in four phones Nokia has released especially for emerging markets. The cheapest models cost €50 (US$78), before subsidies.

"With all these products we are pushing the entry point further than it has ever been before, with more advanced and stylish phones," said Heikki Koivo, director of Nokia's entry product group.

"Buyers in emerging markets -- for example Africa, China, India and Latin America -- are no longer buying just their first phone. We've come to a point where the number of replacement buyers is the same as first-time buyers, and they want more the just voice and text," said Koivo.

The Nokia 5000 is the most expensive phone, priced at €90. It is equipped with a 1.3-megapixel camera, QVGA display and FM radio with recording functionality. The device also plays MP3 ringtones.

The 5000 supports Bluetooth and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) connectivity and will start shipping during the second quarter.

The 2680 Slide is Nokia's first slide phone for entry markets. It also has a FM radio with recording capability and a camera. The phone, expected to ship in the third quarter, is priced at €75.

For users who "want to stand out in a crowd" Nokia offers the 7070 Prism.

The 1680 Classic offers a basic VGA camera, for still pictures and video recording. Nokia calls it "a first phone, a first camera."

Both models cost €50, and are due to ship during the third and second quarter, respectively.

All prices are before any subsidies and taxes.

The phones are a strong addition to Nokia's portfolio, according to Geoff Blaber, director of devices at CCS Insight.

"That Nokia can release high spec phones at this price point is really indicative of its scale," he said.

Blaber also expects the phones to be offered as pre-paid phones in Western Europe.

Nokia, working with Webmail International, also launched a locally hosted mobile e-mail product for South Africa. The offering, configured for the Nokia phones launched Wednesday, will be available in the second quarter of 2008.

The phones and e-mail service were launched at an event in Johannesburg. The choice of venue is no coincidence, the momentum in the emerging world has started to move from India and China to Africa.