Nokia's newest release - the Lumia 620 - looks like it may be the phone that gives Windows Phone the kickstart it badly needs to get a decent foothold in the smartphone market.
It runs the latest WP8 and it's selling SIM-free for about £200 in the UK, although if you don't mind it locked to O2, it's got a £150 price tag. And it's fast appearing in other regions at similar prices.
It's Nokia's entry-level WP8 phone but packs specs that make you wonder why the flagship Lumia 920 costs hundreds of pounds more.
Microsoft's problem is that current smartphone users are very loyal to their operating system...and for 90% that's either Android or Apple.
Getting them to change to WP - even though reviewers have given it the thumbs up - is difficult.
So, it's users who are new to smartphones that Microsoft must chase. And in that segment of the market, price is all important.
This is where the partnership with Nokia can really pay off.
Nokia can afford to produce good quality devices at the lower end of the smartphone scale. And, if the price is right, people will buy.
This week O2 in the UK cut the price of the Lumia 620 to £120 for one day and the network's stock sold out before the day was over.
We bet most of the buyers are new to WP. If they like it, they'll stay and in the future upgrade to more sophisticated and expensive WP devices.
It's rumoured Nokia is planning an even cheaper Lumia 520 and a mid-range 720.
These - along with the 620 - could well become the real flagships for Windows Phone.
Comments