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.jpg) the first-generation Nokia X | |
| Manufacturers | Microsoft Mobile (2014) Nokia (2013-2014) |
|---|---|
| Type | Smartphone |
| Series | X |
| Availability by region | 2014 |
| Successor | Microsoft Lumia 435/532 (Microsoft) Nokia 2/3/5 series (HMD Global) |
| Form factor | Bar |
| Operating system | Nokia X platform (a fork ofAndroid 4.1) |
| Front camera | 0.3 |
| Data inputs | Touch screen |
| Development status | Discontinued |
TheNokia X family was a range of budgetsmartphones that was produced and marketed byMicrosoft Mobile, originally introduced in February 2014 byNokia. The smartphones run on theNokia X platform, aLinux-based operating system which was a fork ofAndroid. Nokia X is also known generally as theNokia Normandy. It is regarded as Nokia's first Android device during the company's Microsoft partnership and was in the process of selling its mobile phone business to Microsoft, which eventually happened two months later.[1]
The Nokia X devices heavily resemble theAsha phones, and also contain someLumia features. They have a single "back" button like the Asha 50x and 230. A "home" button was added to the X2 series when they were released in June 2014.[2] They are primarily targeted towards emerging markets, and never made its way to Western Europe or North America.
Nokia CEOStephen Elop called it theNokia X family during an announcement, possibly to distinguish it from the unrelatedXseries that ran from 2009 to 2011.
In July 2014, Microsoft Mobile announced the end of the X range after just five months (as well as Asha andSeries 40) in favor of solely producing and encouraging the use ofWindows Phone products.[3]
Despite choosing theWindows Phone operating system for its Lumia series of smartphones, Nokia had experimented with the Android platform in the past. Images of aNokia N9 running Android 2.3 were leaked in 2011. They were believed to be genuine, asSteven Elop mentioned Nokia had considered using Android at one time.[4]
On 13 September 2013, theNew York Times writer Nick Wingfield revealed that Nokia had been testing theGoogle Android operating system on its Lumia hardware. Another project, known as "Asha on Linux", used a forked version of Android without Google services.[5]
TheAsha series previously ran the Java-basedSeries 40 andAsha platforms. These were not as functional as a similarly priced low-end Android handset, a price range that Windows was not able to provide Windows Phones in.[6] Meltemi (operating system), a Linux-based operating system designed to replace Series 40, had been scrapped by the company.[7]
The Chinese technology siteCTechnology revealed that despite the announced merge of Nokia with Microsoft, development of the Asha on Linux project was continuing until November 2013 and 10,000 prototype units had been manufactured byFoxconn, containing aQualcomm Snapdragon 200 8225Q chip.[8]
A report by Tom Warren fromThe Verge on 11 December 2013 showed an Asha-like device, codenamed "Normandy". He said that "despite the finalisation of the acquisition, development of the device is continuing."[9] As of late January 2014 the deal stands as not finalized because of scrutiny from Chinese regulators.[10])AllThingsD suggested that Microsoft may not stop development of the device.[11]
A 14 December 2013 report byCTechnology claimed that the device development had been halted, along with an Android-based 7 inches (18 cm) Snapdragon 400 tablet. The two projects were to have been created by Nokia's CTO division, which Microsoft did not acquire, with Peter Skillman, the head of UX Design, at the helm of the UI design. The report said that wearable devices were the new focus of the CTO division.[12][13][14]
A further leak by @evleaks showed a press image with several colour options for the phone.[15]
According toNokiaPowerUser, the device was dual-SIM with a 4 inches (10 cm) display, the model number was RM-980, and it had a 640×360 resolution.[16] In a second report, they suggested the device may be a member of the Asha range, as the development team was headed by Egil Kvaleberg (fromSmarterphone), and the UI led by Peter Skillman (who worked on the Asha Platform's Swipe UI).[17]
A tweet by @evleaks on 31 December 2013 stated that "The reports of Normandy's death have been greatly exaggerated".[18]
A leak on theITHome technology website showed a blurred image of the phone, and the app drawer of its UI in operation, confirming it to be a dual-SIM device. However, no Nokia logos were found on the device.[19]
@evleaks later posted screenshots of the UI, showing the lock screen and Skype in action.[20]
The device later showed up on theAnTuTu benchmark software asNokia A110, withKitKat 4.4.1, a 5MP camera and an 854 x 480 display.[21]
Two new photos of the Engineering prototype were leaked in January 2014.[22] One shows a different app launcher than previous photos, suggesting a placeholder.[23]
On 13 January 2014, a press photo showing the tile-like UI of the home screen was leaked,[24] and was accompanied by a screenshot of the Asha platform'sFastlane-style notification centre the next day.[25]According to Eldar Murtazin, Microsoft was not keen on the idea, saying there were "too many politics" around the project. He claimed it would have to be released in February, before the acquisition of Nokia was completed, if at all.[26] Another source suggested Microsoft would use the device as atrojan horse to increase Windows Phone adoption.[26]
The phone (with the model code RM-980) was certified by the Indonesian authorities on 21 January 2014, suggesting a close launch date.[27]
On 23 January 2014, Nokia sent out invitations to its press event at Mobile World Congress on 24 February 2014, where the device would be unveiled, if it wasn't cancelled.[28]
@evleaks later tweeted that the name of the phone is Nokia X.[29]
A few days later, the specifications were leaked by @evleaks. The device had a dual core Snapdragon processor, 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB internal storage memory, a 1500 MAh battery, Nokia Store and third-party app stores, confirming its placement into the low-end market segment.[30]
On 30 January 2014, the French websitenowhereelse.fr released more photos of the device, showing its form factor and rear view for the first time.[31]
According toGoAndroid, an anonymous Senior Nokia Executive Officer in India revealed that the device would debut in India in March 2014 under the Asha line.[32]
NokiaPowerUser later revealed that the phone gained certification in Thailand and Malaysia.[33][34]
The Wall Street Journal's sources confirmed that Nokia was going to reveal the device at the MWC in Barcelona at the end of February 2014.[35]
Reports fromArtesyn Technologies andtech.qq said Nokia X is the first of several Android devices from Nokia, including high-end models. These additional devices, one namedNokia XX, would be released during May or June 2014, and were claimed to be out of beta and would possibly receive FCC certification.[36][37]
Nokia's social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook had their colour changed to green, which was suggested byWPCentral to be a veiled reference to the Android operating system.[38][39]
@evleaks confirmed that the phone was to be called Nokia X.[40] Rumours of devices being sent to developers in India were published atGSMArena.[41]
As the release date grew nearer, teaser videos on Nokia's YouTube and Vine accounts under the hashtag#GreenDuck were released, as well as teaser images, such as a treasure map with an X marking the spot on theSina Weibo microblog in China. More images of the interface also surfaced, showing the finalised product for the first time.[42][43]
On 18 February 2014, the Hungarian technology websitetech2.hu claimed the device was under mass production at Nokia'sKomárom plant in Hungary.[44]
At a pre-MWC event on 23 February 2014, Microsoft VP for the Windows Phone platformJoe Belfiore was asked about how the company would feel in the event that Nokia released an Android phone. His response was as follows:
We have a great relationship with Nokia. They've built great products. We haven't complete our acquisition. They may do some things we're excited about. Other things we are LESS excited. But whatever they do we are very supportive of the partnership.
Joe Belfiore, Corporate VP for Windows Phone, Microsoft[45]
The phone was unveiled by the Nokia CEO at Mobile World Congress on 24 February 2014. Two variants, the Nokia X and the Nokia X+ were released, with the Nokia X+ having 768 MB RAM as opposed to the 512 MB RAM reported by leaks, as well as a microSD card included in the box. The phone also contained the Lumia-inspired UI design, in addition to the Nokia suite of mobile applications as previously leaked.[46]
A third phone, the Nokia XL, was released, with a larger screen, front-facing camera, rear flash and greater battery life.[47] The XL featured 768 MB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play chipset with a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU.[48]
On 24 June 2014, Microsoft launched the Nokia X2, which featured 1 GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chipset with a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU.[49] It was launched with an official price of €99 (US$135; £80).[2] It also had single and dual-SIM options.[50]
The Nokia XL 4G was released in China in July 2014. It featured a 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU over the 1.0 GHz dual-core CPU in the original Nokia XL, LTE support of LTE bands, 1 GB of RAM over the original 768 MB and a lower weight.
In an interview withForbes, formerHMD Global CEO Arto Nummela stated that analysis showed that the Nokia X series became surprisingly popular with users of high end Samsung and Apple smartphone devices, despite the fact that it was a mid to low end device family.[51]
In May 2018, HMD Global launched a new Android phoneNokia X6, which despite its name has nothing to do with theNokia Xseries or X family.
The source of information is from the developer.nokia.com and the website of Microsoft mobile China.[47]
| Nokia X | Nokia X+ | Nokia XL | Nokia X2[52] | Nokia XL 4G[53] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 4 in (10 cm) IPS LCD, 800 × 480 px | 4 in (10 cm) IPS LCD, 800 × 480 px | 5 in (13 cm) IPS LCD, 800 × 480 px | 4.3 in (11 cm) IPS LCD, 800 × 480 px | 5 in (13 cm) IPS LCD, 800 × 480 px |
| RAM | 512 MB | 768 MB | 768 MB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Internal storage and included microSD card | 4 GB internal Up to 32 GB MicroSD card support | 4 GB internal Up to 32 GB MicroSD card support, 4 GB card included | 4 GB internal Up to 32 GB MicroSD card support, 4 GB card included | 4 GB internal Up to 32 GB MicroSD card support, 4 GB card included | 4 GB internal Up to 32 GB MicroSD card support, 4 GB card included |
| Rear camera | 3.15 MP fixed focus | 3.15 MP fixed focus | 5 MP,autofocus and LED flash | 5 MP,autofocus and LED flash | 5 MP,autofocus and LED flash |
| Front camera | - | - | 2 MP | 2.0 MP | 2.0 MP |
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8225 1 GHz dual-core | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8225 1 GHz dual-core | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8225 1 GHz dual-core | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 MSM8210 1.2 GHz dual-core | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 1.2 GHz quad-core |
| Networks | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 WCDMA 900 / 2100 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 WCDMA 900 / 2100 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 WCDMA 900 / 2100 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 WCDMA 900 / 2100 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 WCDMA 850 / 900 / 2100 TD-SCDMA band 39/F (1880-1920 MHz) TD-LTE bands - 38 (2570-2620 MHz),39 (1880-1920 MHz),40 (2300-2400 MHz)[54] |
| Dimensions | 115.5 x 63 x 10.4 mm | 115.5 x 63 x 10.4 mm | 141.3 x 77.7 x 10.8 mm | 121.7 x 68.3 x 11.1 mm | 141.3 x 77.7 x 10.8 mm |
| Weight | 128.66 g | 128.66 g | 190 g | 150 g | 190 g |
| Battery life (on standby) | 2G = Up to 28.5 days 3G = Up to 22 days | 2G = Up to 28.5 days 3G = Up to 22 days | 2G = Up to 41 days 3G = Up to 26 days | 2 SIM cards = Up to 23 days | Up to 37 days |
| Battery life (talk time) | 2G = Up to 13.3 hours 3G = Up to 10.5 hours | 2G = Up to 13.3 hours 3G = Up to 10.5 hours | 2G = Up to 16 hours 3G = Up to 13 hours | 2G = Up to 10 hours 3G = Up to 13 hours | 2G = Up to 15 hours 3G = Up to 11 hours 4G = ? |
| Operating system | Nokia X 1.x software platform (AOSP 4.1.2) | Nokia X 1.x software platform (AOSP 4.1.2) | Nokia X 1.x software platform (AOSP 4.1.2) | Nokia X 2.x software platform (AOSP 4.3) | Nokia X 1.x software platform (AOSP 4.3) |
Media related toNokia X family at Wikimedia CommonsNokia-branded mobile devices | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 series | |||
| 2000 series | |||
| 3000 series | |||
| 5000 series | |||
| 6000 series |
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| 7000 series | |||
| 8000 series | |||
| 9000 series (Communicator) | |||
| 3-digit series (feature phone) | |||
| Asha series |
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| Cseries | |||
| Eseries | |||
| Nseries |
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| Xseries | |||
| 3-digit series (Symbian phone) | |||
| Lumia |
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| Internet tablet | |||
| N-Gage | |||
| X family | |||
| Android smartphones2 | |||
| Originals2 | |||
| C series2 | |||
| G series2 | |||
| T series2 | |||
| X series2 | |||
| Other | |||
