Nokia hasn’t forgotten about the low-end: Announces Lumia 610, new Asha devices

Nokia has impressively repositioned itself as a high-end Windows Phone maker, but the company hasn’t forgotten about the lower-end of the market either.

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Nokia officially announced its cheapest Windows Device yet, the Lumia 610, as well as three new Asha S40 devices today at the Mobile World Congress, the Asha 202, 203, and 302. Additionally, the company has announced a major update to its Nokia Life service, which gives consumers in emerging markets access to useful mobile tools.

The Lumia 610 looks like a smaller version of the Lumia 710, and Nokia describes it as the perfect introduction for Windows Phone for younger audiences. The Asha 202 and 203 are touch-screen enabled, with the 202 offering the ever-popular (in Europe and Asia, at least) dual-SIM configuration. The Asha 202 and 203 are touch-screen enabled, with the 202 offering the ever-popular (in Europe and Asia, at least) dual-SIM configuration, while the 302 sports a QWERTY hardware keyboard.

With Nokia Life, which is now available in India, China, Indonesia, and Nigeria, users will be able to do things like easily learn English, or get information on basic health services from doctors. Nokia says it plans to extend Nokia Life beyond four markets soon.

Nokia says the Asha 202 and 203 will retail for 60 euros, while the 302, which is already available, will sell for 95 euros. A Nokia rep tells me the Lumia 610 will retail for around 190 euros without contract when it launches in a few months. At this point a U.S. release is uncertain, but I’m sure some prepaid carrier would love to pick it up.

Photos/Devindra Hardawar

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