Nokia X family
the first-generation Nokia X
ManufacturerMicrosoft Mobile (2014)
Nokia (2013-2014)
SeriesX
Availability by region2014
SuccessorMicrosoft Lumia 435/532 (Microsoft)
Nokia 2/3/5 series (Nokia)
TypeSmartphone
Form factorBar
Operating systemNokia X platform (a fork of Android 4.1)
Front camera0.3
Data inputsTouch screen
Development statusDiscontinued

The Nokia X family was a range of budget smartphones that was produced and marketed by Microsoft Mobile, originally introduced in February 2014 by Nokia. The smartphones run on the Nokia X platform, a Linux-based operating system which was a fork of Android. Nokia X is also known generally as the Nokia 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 the Asha phones, and also contain some Lumia 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 CEO Stephen Elop called it the Nokia X family during an announcement, possibly to distinguish it from the unrelated Xseries 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 and Series 40) in favor of solely producing and encouraging the use of Windows Phone products.[3]

Background

Despite choosing the Windows Phone operating system for its Lumia series of smartphones, Nokia had experimented with the Android platform in the past. Images of a Nokia N9 running Android 2.3 were leaked in 2011. They were believed to be genuine, as Steven Elop mentioned Nokia had considered using Android at one time.[4]

2013 events

On 13 September 2013, the New York Times writer Nick Wingfield revealed that Nokia had been testing the Google Android operating system on its Lumia hardware. Another project, known as "Asha on Linux", used a forked version of Android without Google services.[5]

The Asha series previously ran the Java-based Series 40 and Asha 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 site CTechnology 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 by Foxconn, containing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 8225Q chip.[8]

A report by Tom Warren from The 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 by CTechnology 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 to NokiaPowerUser, 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 (from Smarterphone), 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]

2014 events

A leak on the ITHome 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 the AnTuTu benchmark software as Nokia A110, with KitKat 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's Fastlane-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 a trojan 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 website nowhereelse.fr released more photos of the device, showing its form factor and rear view for the first time.[31]

According to GoAndroid, 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 from Artesyn Technologies and tech.qq said Nokia X is the first of several Android devices from Nokia, including high-end models. These additional devices, one named Nokia 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 by WPCentral 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 at GSMArena.[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 the Sina 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 website tech2.hu claimed the device was under mass production at Nokia's Komárom plant in Hungary.[44]

At a pre-MWC event on 23 February 2014, Microsoft VP for the Windows Phone platform Joe 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]

Unveiling

First generation

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]

Nokia XL, released at the end of Q2

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]

Nokia X2

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]

Nokia XL 4G

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.

Aftermath

In an interview with Forbes, former HMD 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 phone Nokia X6, which despite its name has nothing to do with the Nokia Xseries or X family.

Model comparison

The source of information is from the developer.nokia.com and the website of Microsoft mobile China.[47]

 Nokia XNokia X+Nokia XLNokia 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
RAM512 MB768 MB768 MB1 GB1 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 MP2.0 MP2.0 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
Weight128.66 g128.66 g190 g150 g190 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)

See also

  • Nokia N1 – Nokia's 2014 Android tablet
  • Fire OS – the Android Open Source Project derivative by Amazon.com
  • Nokia N9 – Nokia's previous product of Linux Project (MeeGo)
  • HMD Global – the company behind the current range of Nokia smartphones (2017–present)
  • Microsoft Surface Duo – Microsoft's next product of Android device

References

  1. ↑ "This is Nokia X: Android and Windows Phone collide". theverge.com. 24 February 2014.
  2. 1 2 Kelion, Leo (2014-06-24). "Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  3. ↑ "Microsoft is killing off Nokia's feature phones in favor of Windows Phone". The Verge. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Savov, Vlad (2011-06-14). "Nokia's Android flirtations revealed". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  5. ↑ Wingfield, Nick (2013-09-13). "Behind Microsoft Deal, the Specter of a Nokia Android Phone". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  6. ↑ Blandford, Rafe (2013-12-11). "Asha Normandy — an Android powered phone from Nokia?". All About Symbian. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  7. ↑ Reisinger, Don (2012-06-26). "Nokia quietly kills Linux-based Meltemi, report says". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  8. ↑ Bielinis, Stasys (2013-09-19). "Nokia still working on Android phone, won't cancel until November. Foxconn already made 10K prototypes". Unwired View. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  9. ↑ Warren, Tom (2013-12-10). "This is Nokia's Android phone". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  10. ↑ Burrows, Peter; Bass, Dina (2014-01-30). "Google's Moto Sale Casts Doubts on Microsoft's Nokia Plan". Bloomberg News. New York City: Bloomberg. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  11. ↑ Fried, Ina (2013-12-11). "Why Nokia Is Building an Android Phone and Why Microsoft Might Not Kill It". All Things Digital. Dow Jones. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  12. ↑ Bielinis, Stasys (2013-12-16). "Nokia abandons Peter Skillman led Android adaptation plans, refocuses on wearables, smart glasses for 2015". Unwired View. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  13. ↑ Swanner, Nate (2013-12-16). "Nokia Android phone, along with other projects, might be shelved". Android Community. R3 Media. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  14. ↑ "诺基亚已放弃 Android 手机/平板计划，未来将力推穿戴式设备" [Nokia has abandoned Android phone/tablet plans, and in future will be pushing wearable devices]. C科技 (in Chinese). 2013-12-14. Archived from the original on 2014-03-26. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  15. ↑ Wagner, Alex (2013-12-23). "New Nokia Normandy leak shows the Android device in several colors". PhoneDog. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  16. ↑ Kamal (2013-12-11). "Dual-Sim RM-980 may be Nokia Normandy with 4-inch display". Nokia Power User. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  17. ↑ Kamal (2013-12-24). "More details about Nokia's "Project N". Why Android, the team & the missed oppurtunity [sic]". Nokia Power User. Archived from the original on 2013-12-27. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  18. ↑ @evleaks (2013-12-31). "Twitter / evleaks: The reports of Normandy's death have been greatly exaggerated". Twitter. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  19. ↑ "Nokia's first Android phone purportedly shown again in leaked pic". Boy Genius Report. PMC. 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  20. ↑ Wagner, Alex (2014-01-08). "Latest Nokia Normandy leak includes screenshots of custom Android software". PhoneDog. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  21. ↑ Kamal (2014-01-08). "Nokia Normandy shows up on AnTuTu. 5 MP Cam, 854 x 480 display, running Android KitKat 4.4.1". Nokia Power User. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  22. ↑ "Engineering prototype of Nokia Normandy leaks in a live photo". GSMArena.com. 2014-01-12. Retrieved 2014-01-12.
  23. ↑ Callaham, John (2014-01-13). "Image of Nokia's Android phone prototype Normandy leaked [Update with Android skin UI]". Neowin. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  24. ↑ Pratap, Ketan (2014-01-14). "Nokia 'Normandy' budget Android phone purportedly leaked in multiple images". NDTV Gadgets. NDTV Convergence. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  25. ↑ Goodwin, Richard (2014-03-12). "Nokia X Now On Sale In India For INR 8,600". Know Your Mobile. Dennis Publishing. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  26. 1 2 "Nokia Normandy Android Phone Ready, If Politics Don't Get in the Way, Sources Say". TechnoBuffalo. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  27. ↑ "Nokia Normandy (RM-980) gets certified in Indonesia – Launch Date Close?". Nokiapoweruser.com. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
  28. ↑ "Nokia Normandy Android phone may see MWC reveal, if Microsoft doesn't stop it". techradar.com. 23 January 2014.
  29. ↑ "Android-based Nokia Normandy smartphone gets a name: Call it the 'Nokia X' - On MSFT". winbeta.org. 24 January 2014.
  30. ↑ "Nokia X specs leak, confirm low-end Android". neowin.net. 12 August 2023.
  31. ↑ "NOKIA X : Photos et caractéristiques finales du NOKIA sous Android ?". www.nowhereelse.fr. 29 January 2014.
  32. ↑ "Nokia X (Normandy) Coming In March Under Asha Series In India". GoAndroid. February 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
  33. ↑ "Nokia Normandy passes certification in Malaysia now. | NPU". Nokiapoweruser.com. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
  34. ↑ "Nokia Normandy aka Nokia X gets certified in Thailand. | NPU". Nokiapoweruser.com. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
  35. ↑ Grundberg, Sven; Ovide, Shira (10 February 2014). "Error Page - Wsj.com". Wall Street Journal – via online.wsj.com.
  36. ↑ "Nokia X the first of many Android smartphones planned for 2014: Report | NDTV Gadgets". Gadgets.ndtv.com. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
  37. ↑ "High-end Nokia Android smartphone may launch sooner than you think". BGR. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
  38. ↑ "Nokia goes green, teases upcoming Mobile World Congress Android reveal". wpcentral.com. 13 February 2014.
  39. ↑ "Nokia's turning green, Android is green — this is not a coincidence". androidcentral.com. 13 February 2014.
  40. ↑ "Another marketing render from the Android-based Nokia X leaked". neowin.net. 12 August 2023.
  41. ↑ "Nokia sends out Nokia X Normandy to developers in India". gsmarena.com.
  42. ↑ "Nokia X A110 photo gives us first peek at new UI". gsmarena.com.
  43. ↑ "Nokia teases 'Nokia X' with "Green Duck" video now. Says, 5 days to Go!! - NPU". nokiapoweruser.com.
  44. ↑ "Főoldal - Tech2.hu". Tech2.hu.
  45. ↑ "Live Blog - Microsoft Media and Analyst day". wpcentral.com. 23 February 2014.
  46. ↑ Robertson, Adi (2014-02-24). "This is Nokia X: Android and Windows Phone collide". The Verge. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  47. 1 2 "Xtraordinarily xcellent: the Nokia X family — Nokia Conversations : the official Nokia blog". Conversations.nokia.com. 2014-02-24. Archived from the original on 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  48. ↑ Charles, Johnson. "Nokia XL Smartphone price and Full Specifications". Archived from the original on July 28, 2014.
  49. ↑ McCann, John (2014-06-24). "Nokia X2 launches with bigger screen, more power and home key". TechRadar. Future. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  50. ↑ Charles, Johnson. "Nokia X2 Dual price and Full Specifications".
  51. ↑ Spence, Ewan. "Finland's Impossible Dream Is Happening: Meeting The Startup Behind Nokia's Smartphone Return". forbes.com.
  52. ↑ "Nokia X2 Specifications, Features And Price". bestmobs.com. Archived from the original on 2014-06-25. Retrieved 2014-06-24.
  53. ↑ "Nokia's last hurrah is a 4G version of the Nokia XL". androidcentral.com. 29 July 2014. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  54. ↑ "诺基亚 Xl 4G 升级版 详细参数 - 微软 - 中国". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2015-03-15. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
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