Nokia rumored to launch big-screen, Note 2-challenging, Windows Phone hardware later this year

By Andy Boxall April 18, 2013

Some naughty insiders have been spilling the beans about Nokia’s future hardware plans to the Financial Times, and if the report is accurate, we could see one of the first tablet/smartphone hybrid devices to run Windows Phone from the company later this year. The sources say it’s, “The most innovative” device in Nokia’s 2013 range, and will be a similar size to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, but feature a more advanced specification.

This comes just a few days after we heard about the next version of Windows Phone, currently known as GDR3, where support for 1080p screen resolutions and quad-core processors could be part of its OS enhancements. If Nokia wants to beat the Galaxy Note 2, it will need to add both these features to its challenger, and that’s before we know for sure what the inevitable Galaxy Note 3 will be packing.

There’s no indication when the Nokia phablet will go on sale, but assuming it needs the GDR3 Windows Phone update to compete, it probably won’t be until just before Christmas.

The FT report doesn’t end there though, as it continues with news on a few Nokia phones we’ve already heard a fair amount about already. First up is that we could see a Lumia phone with a 40-megapixel PureView camera in July. A PureView Windows Phone which rivals the original, Symbian-powered PureView 808 has been discussed for sometime, with a device known as the Nokia EOS most recently linked with the technology.

Next is further confirmation Nokia is at least considering making a lighter version of its Lumia 920 flagship phone. An aluminum-bodied 920, currently known by its Catwalk codename, is also a long-standing rumor, and there’s also a chance we could see it released as the Verizon-bound Lumia 928. Finally, a Lumia 820 replacement may join the revised Lumia 920 in the fall.

While we’ve heard enough about these rumors in the past to make them sound more than just idle speculation, they still refer to unofficial products which may or may not make it to store shelves. If the EOS PureView phone is coming in July though, it may not be long until we find out if at least that one is real.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Senior Mobile Writer

Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

Mobile

Nokia to take selfies seriously with next Windows Phone, codename Superman

nokia speed battery boost 3g network features lumia 925 top screen

According to the latest rumor, Nokia (well, Microsoft) will make taking selfies the focal point (sorry) of a future Lumia smartphone release. Codename Superman, the Windows Phone device is expected to have a 5-megapixel front camera -- well beyond what we’re used to seeing on Nokia’s hardware.
The news comes from an anonymous source speaking to The Verge, who adds that the phone will most likely be a mid-range handset with a 4.7-inch display. It’s not going to be out tomorrow though, and we may have to wait until later this year before it goes on sale. Nokia announced the new Lumia 930, Lumia 635, and Lumia 630 during the Microsoft Build conference earlier this month, so a wait for any new phones normal.
High megapixel selfie cams are nothing new. They’ve been around on phones sold in Asia for some time, but have only recently started to show up on mainstream hardware in the U.S. and Europe. The HTC One M8 already has a 5-megapixel camera above the screen, as does the Huawei Ascend P6 and Ascend G6, the Lenovo Vibe X, and even the Blu Life Pro. Nokia will need to add some pretty special features if it wants to still attract attention from a 5-megapixel camera in six months time.
Talk of the Superman phone was joined by an update on a rumor which had almost been forgotten. Remember the Nokia Goldfinger? We heard a little about it last year, and were intrigued by talk of a gesture control system where you wouldn’t need to touch the screen, just wave your hands about above it. Apparently, the phone is still in development, and has been held back due to support for the feature not being included in the first version of Windows Phone 8.1.

Mobile

Samsung returns to Windows Phone, launches the Ativ SE through Verizon

Samsung Ativ SE Verizon

Samsung was rumored to be making its return to Windows Phone this month, following an early leaked image, and a possible specification, revealing the phone will match the most recent, and high-end, Nokia Lumia phones.
Updated on 04-04-2014 by Andy: Samsung and Verizon have announced the Ativ SE. All the official information has been added in below.
The Ativ SE represents the first Samsung device to make use of the new Windows Phone GDR3 hardware enhancements, meaning the phone can compete with the best Nokia currently has to offer. The phone has a 5-inch AMOLED touchscreen on the front, with a 1080p resolution, and inside the device is the trusty Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor along with 2GB of RAM.
Owners will get to fill 16GB of internal storage space, plus add in a MicroSD card up to 64GB in size. For taking pictures, you’ll find a 13-megapixel camera on the rear, and a 2-megapixel lens above the screen on the front. The Ativ SE is a Verizon exclusive, and will connect to its 4G LTE network, plus it’s listed as a “Global Ready” device to be used abroad too.
Other features include Bluetooth 3.0, a 2,600mAh battery for around 20 hours talktime, plus the ability to control your TV using an infrared sensor and Samsung’s WatchON app. The device runs Windows Phone 8, but not Windows Phone 8.1, which was revealed during Microsoft’s Build 2014 conference earlier this week. However, like all existing Windows Phone 8 hardware, the new version will be made available as an update.
The design is identical to the leaked images of the phone, complete with Verizon branding on the front, a Windows logo on the home key, and a brushed metal effect rear cover. Overall, the Ativ SE is reminiscent of the Galaxy S4. Verizon will be charging $600 for an Ativ SE without a contract, or if you sign-up for two years, it’ll cost you $200. There is also a limited time offer where if you buy one, you’ll get another phone for free, provided a second two-year contract is signed.
Verizon has the Ativ SE ready to pre-order now, and states it’ll ship by April 12. It sits alongside the Nokia Lumia Icon in Verizon’s range, a phone we called the best Windows Phone ever made, and gave it a great score in our review. Will Samsung’s return to Microsoft’s OS be equally as impressive? We’re looking forward to testing this one out.
Article originally published on 04-02-2014

Mobile

Nokia Lumia 630 leaked, as rumors spread of an April launch event

Lumia 630 Leak

Nokia used Mobile World Congress to reveal the Android-powered Nokia X family of smartphones, leaving aside its signature Windows Phone hardware, presumably for another special event in the future. Two rumors have emerged this week, the first of which points to such a get-together occurring next month, and the second concerning one of the devices which may be announced.
The phone has been leaked through the @evleaks Twitter account, and is a traditional press-style glamor shot of a phone apparently named the Lumia 630. Pictured in five different colors, it’s shown running Windows Phone 8. The design is reminiscent of previous Lumia phones, but also shares the look of the Nokia X too.
While it’s the first time we’re getting such a detailed look at the Lumia 630, it has been leaked before. The phone, codename Moneypenny according to Engadget, appeared a few days ago on a Chinese site, where it was suggested the phone will have a 4.5-inch, 854 x 480 pixel screen, a Snapdragon 400 processor, and 1GB of RAM. The camera’s megapixels aren’t revealed, but the lack of flash says this is no PureView challenger.
None of the recently rumored Windows Phone devices were announced at Mobile World Congress. This is presumably due to Nokia having to wait for Microsoft to announce Windows Phone 8.1 - as all its new phones should run the new version - which it is expected to do during the Build conference on April 2.
Does that mean a late April event from Nokia? Perhaps. A tweet from the same account also hinted we may not have long to go before the Lumia 630 is officially revealed, speculating we may soon get invitations to an event to be held on April 19. The tweet was posed as a question, and has since been removed, which could mean it was based on false information. However, Nokia did reveal a few new Asha phones on April 24 last year, so it fits in with previous schedules.