Nokia X to capitalise on growing affordable smartphone segment

Affordable smartphone segment has been growing faster. Company addressed it through Asha and Lumia range: Viral Oza

Nokia has launched the X-family range of phones to capitalise on the growing affordable smart phone segment, a top company official said today.

"The affordable smartphone segment which was 16 million units in 2012 grew to 44 million units in 2014. This market has been growing faster. Nokia addressed it through Asha and Lumia range of phones," Nokia India Director (Marketing) Viral Oza told reporters here.

"To capitalise on that potential in the affordable smartphone segment, we are adding the X family," he said after unveiling the new X range of mobile phone that runs Android applications.

Noting that 500 new mobile applications are added every day, he said, sales of Lumia range of phones is growing year-on-year and India was the number one market for its Lumia 520 model phone.

The Nokia X range of phones offers a mix of Nokia and Microsoft services, he said, adding the Asha range of phones was a platform for first time users in smartphone category.

To a query, he said the affordable smartphone segment was in the price bracket of Rs 7,000-12,000.

Nokia X model is priced at Rs 8,599 and runs Android applications.