Nokia launches dual-SIM Android smartphone X2; comes with a home button, 5MP shooter & more

After launching its first smartphones running on Google Inc's Android operating system at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2014 earlier this year, Finnish-handset manufacturer Nokia has now unveiled a successor to the same. Christened Nokia X2, the device sports a 4.3 inch display and runs on a forked version of the Android OS that will come with both Nokia and Microsoft apps and services as well.

The company has also added a 'home' button in the device, which enables users to directly reach the home screen (irrespective of the app they are currently in) with just a tap. In comparison, the earlier models only had a back button that had to be long pressed or tapped multiple times to get the users back to the home screen.

The other devices in the series include Nokia X, X+, and XL that are available for Rs 6,799, Rs 7,599 and Rs 10,750 respectively. Microsoft had acquired Nokia's mobile handset business for $7.2 billion in September 2013.

Here is a quick look at the specifications of the device.

Nokia X2 sports a 4.3 inch ClearBlack LCD WVGA capacitive touchscreen display (800×480 pixel resolution) with 217ppi pixel density. It is powered by a 1.2GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor and has 1GB of RAM. The internal memory of the device is 4GB that can be expanded up to 32GB with a microSD card. The company is also offering 7GB of free cloud storage with the smartphone.

The smartphone has a 5 megapixel auto-focus rear camera with LED Flash that can also record high definition videos (720p) at 30 frames per second, and a front facing VGA camera for video calling. On the connectivity front, the device has Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, 3G as well as a microSD card slot and a microUSB port.

The dimensions of the device are 121.7mm x 68.3mm x 11.1mm and its weight is 150 gm. Nokia has provided a 1,800 mAh battery in the device, which it claims will provide up to 13 hours of talk time and 23 days of standby time. The smartphone comes with dual-SIM capability (with dual standby), GPS (with A-GPS support) and has stereo FM radio with RDS. It will be available in white, black, orange and green colours.

It runs on the Nokia X software platform (a forked version of the Android OS) with a fresh, tile-based user interface inspired by its Lumia family and comes with Fastlane, a screen which lets people switch between their favourite apps more smoothly. People can also access curated, quality-tested apps from Nokia Store and other third-party app stores. The device also come with HERE Maps, with true offline maps and integrated turn-by-turn navigation; and Nokia MixRadio for free music streaming and downloadable playlists.

The smartphone is also pre-loaded with a variety of third-party apps and games and offers popular Microsoft services, including free cloud storage using OneDrive, and one month of Skype's Unlimited World Subscription.

Here is a hands on video of the smartphone.

Nokia X2 Vs Nokia X

In comparison, its predecessor Nokia X sports a slightly smaller 4 inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display (800×480 pixel resolution) with 233ppi pixel density and run on a 1GHz dual core 8225 Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It has 568MB of RAM and its 4GB internal storage can be expanded up to 32GB with a microSD card.

The smartphone has a 3 megapixel fixed focus camera that can also record videos but no front facing camera. On the connectivity front, the device has Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi, dual-SIM capability, as well as a microSD card slot and a microUSB port. The dimensions of the device are 115.5mm x 63mm x 10.4mm and its weight is 128.7 gm. Nokia has provided a 1,500 mAh battery in the device which it claims will provide up to 13.3 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time.

Pricing & competition

While an exact pricing and date of availability for India is not available as of now, the smartphone has been launched in select countries for $134, which roughly translates into Rs 8,050.

In terms of competition, it will face off against the likes of Moto E (Rs 6,999), Micromax Unite 2 (Rs 6,999) and its first Windows Phone 8.1 OS offerings Canvas Win W121 (Rs 9,500) and Canvas Win W092 (Rs 6,500), as well as a number of low-end smartphones from home grown handset manufacturers like XOLO and Karbonn, among others.