Nokia Blasts Out Four New Phones

At Nokia‘s Capital Days event in Amsterdam today, the world’s largest mobile phone maker announced four new handset models—and unlike many recent Nokia announcements which target the high end of the mobile ecosystem, these new units aim squarely at the mid-range and (in one case) the entry levels of the cellular phone market. “These new products underscore our commitment to offer a range of mobile phones that give consumers a choice in selecting the right balance of technology and design to meet their lifestyle and budget,” said Kai Oistamo, Nokia’s Executive VP and General Manager in a statement. The question is when (and if) these models will be picked up by North American wireless operators?

The Nokia 6290 Smartphone aims to combine features of the third edition of Nokia’s S60 phone with 3G networking capabilities: the phone will cater to travelers and professionals with multiple alarms, Quick Cover access keys which provide instant access to useful features, and an interactive world travel application. Nokia expects the 6290 to retail for €325 before subsidies and taxes. The 6290 will offer a 2.2-inch QVGA display, a 2 megapixel camera with 4× digital zoom, email functionality with support for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF attachments, an integrated MP3 player with stereo surround sound, and support for two-way video calling.

The Nokia 6300 is a mid-range candybar phone will offer a slim 13.1mm profile, a stainless steel frame—Nokia seems to think it can charge €300 for the 6300. The phone will feature a 2 megapixel camera (with 8× digital zoom), 2-inch QVGA screen, 135 MB of user memory, built-in MP3 player and FM radio, and speakerphone. The Nokia 6068 Cameraphone, however, offers quad-band GSM and UMA connectivity in a clamshell design with a large keypad and a €200 price tag. Also on board: camcorder and video player functionality (although the camera only offers VGA resolution with a pretty-much-useless 4× digital zoom), 6 MB of user memory, and a microSD slot for storing music and other media.

At the entry level, the Nokia 2626 will offer colorful, style-conscious choices for everyday consumers in emerging markets, and includes a built-in FM radio tuner. Nokia expects to charge €75 for the 2626.

All four phone models should hit international markets in the first quarter of 2007; no word on whether they’ll make it to North America. But, Nokia? What’s with all these model numbers? Didn’t you recently promise to start naming your phones so they’d be easier to tell apart?

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