Is Nokia Working on a Flagship Android Smartphone?
When Microsoft purchased Nokia for a jaw-dropping $7.2 billion last year, analysts assumed the acquisition would be used to drive up sales of Windows smartphones. It’s no secret that Android currently dominates the smartphone market, with Apple’s iOS following closely behind. Even with this recent acquisition, Microsoft has struggled to gain ground on these two market leaders, leading some people believe that Nokia is preparing to release an Android-based flagship smartphone?
According to an article published by the Chinese news website MyDrivers.com, Nokia is currently working on a new flagship smartphone that will run the Android operating system. The project is being led by the same team that developed the company’s N9 smartphone, which ran its signature MeeGo OS.
We’ve seen several Nokia smartphones released in the past 12 months, including the Lumia 635 and Lumia 925. However, all of these devices ran Windows 8.1, which of course only makes sense give the fact that Microsoft now owns this mobile powerhouse company. But Nokia isn’t a newcomer to the Android operating system. Before Microsoft acquired it, Nokia had developed the Android-based Nokia X, XL, and XL +, all of which received praise among users and critics alike. Will it revert back to its roots by launching yet another Android smartphone?
Part of the estimated $7.2 billion deal, including a clause which grants Microsoft a 10-year license on the Nokia brand name. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Nokia must only manufacture Windows-based smartphones. AndroidHeadlines.com reports that the mobile division of Nokia is free to release new headsets through non-Microsoft channels. Granted, Microsoft would probably frown at the idea of its recently acquired mobile division launching smartphones with competing operating systems, but it nonetheless has the authority to do so.
Neither Nokia nor Microsoft has confirmed the existence of a new Nokia Android smartphone, but numerous credible sources are saying the project is already underway. If Nokia proceeds forward with this project, how will it impact the smartphone market? Android is already pulling away from the pack, accounting for 84.7% of worldwide smartphone shipments in the second quarter of 2014 (source). A Nokia-branded smartphone running the Android OS could be the final nail in the coffin for Windows. On the other hand, if Nokia decides to use the Windows OS, it could further boost Microsoft’s presence in this highly competitive market.
Do you think Nokia will release an Android flagship smartphone? Let us know in the comments section below!
Comments are currently closed.