Microsoft launches second Android-powered smartphone, the Nokia X2

[Shawn Knight]

Microsoft’s first Android-powered phone, the Nokia X, failed to impress. Or as our own Tim Schiesser put it, it’s the worst smartphone he’s ever reviewed. It’s no surprise, then, that Microsoft was quick to push out its successor, the X2. And while we are still looking at a budget offering, there are some notable improvements in terms of features and specifications alone.

The revised handset features a slightly larger 4.3-inch display with ClearBlack technology and scratch-resistant glass but you’re still stuck with a lowly resolution of just 800 x 640. Under the hood is a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S200 chip clocked at 1.2GHz alongside 1GB of RAM and 4GB of flash storage (expandable via microSD card slot).

The X2 also features dual-SIM support, Bluetooth 4.0 and an FM Stereo tuner. Other amenities like LTE, however, aren’t included.

Around back we find a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with flash and auto-focus as well as a 0.3-megapixel shooter on the front for selfies. The latter certainly isn’t impressive but as the saying goes, any camera is better than no camera at all.

The phone is based version 2.0 of the Jelly Bean Android Open Source Project, or in other words, a very outdated OS. It doesn’t make much sense considering Android 4.4 KitKat is optimized for lower-powered hardware, but I digress. It also means you won’t get Google software integration.

The Nokia X2 sells for €99 ($135) and is available immediately (in select countries) in a range of colors including black, yellow, white, green, orange and gray.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/57209-microsoft-launches-second-android-powered-smartphone-the-nokia-x2.html

 

[Kibaruk]

Screw Nokia, I'm out!

*flies away*

 

[TheBigFatClown]

"The phone is based version 2.0 of the Jelly Bean Android Open Source Project, or in other words, a very outdated OS. It doesn’t make much sense considering Android 4.4 KitKat is optimized for lower-powered hardware"

It also doesn't make sense in light of the fact that Microsoft purposely gimped Windows so they could use it on on all their devices, specifically, their very own tablets and cellphones. I think Microsoft has lost just about all their marbles at this point. It's like they are simply throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.

 

[VitalyT]

800 x 640? Great, because we've missed seeing those pixels staring back at us like stars in the sky!

 

[gamoniac]

...It doesn’t make much sense considering Android 4.4 KitKat is optimized for lower-powered hardware, but I digress. It also means you won’t get Google software integration.

Any Android fork won't get Google software integration (to be exact -- Google Mobile Services) regardless of the version, because they are not blessed by Google (e.g. Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble's Nook). Anyway, Jelly Beans 4.2 is not THAT much older than KitKat 4.4. Any improvement is good in my book.

 

[m4a4]

800 x 640? Great, because we've missed seeing those pixels staring back at us like stars in the sky!

If it was a $500 phone, I'd understand, but this is a low end phone.... -_-

 

[VitalyT]

800 x 640? Great, because we've missed seeing those pixels staring back at us like stars in the sky!

If it was a $500 phone, I'd understand, but this is a low end phone.... -_-

Can't be lower than free - can it? And I already can pick up a better phone for free from my provider

 

[Kibaruk]

If it was a $500 phone, I'd understand, but this is a low end phone.... -_-

For $30 more you get the Moto G which BEATS the nokia in EVERY field posible.

 

[Kibaruk]

Can't be lower than free - can it? And I already can pick up a better phone for free from my provider

Well we are talking in UNLOCKED prices, not plan prices, which free is a big fat lie, they are NOT FREE since you have to sell your soul to a company with a contract that ties you with them for at least a year.

 

[m4a4]

If it was a $500 phone, I'd understand, but this is a low end phone.... -_-

For $30 more you get the Moto G which BEATS the nokia in EVERY field posible.

I never said it was a good low end phone just not to expect much...

 

[Kibaruk]

I never said it was a good low end phone just not to expect much...

Edit: Nevermind...

The thing is, for a small amount I can get a big gain, I expect something in the same price range to have the same characteristics.

 

[Guest]

Can't be lower than free - can it? And I already can pick up a better phone for free from my provider

Not only is it about unlocked, contract-free prices like another commenter just pointed out, it's also not about YOU to begin with. This phone is intended for developing and asian markets, where good lower-end devices and contract-free prices are imperative. If you can get a free phone on contract (and I'm assuming you don't live in Asia, South America or Africa as well), this phone is not made for you to begin with. Not every single phone that every single OEM makes has to be an expensive flagship.

 

[Kibaruk]

Hey I'm from south america! Chile to be more specific and in our market the Galaxy S3 is the free phone on contracts

We can move to whatever company we like keeping our numbers

And where net neutrality is enforced by law!

 

[Guest]

Microsoft will probably just use it for marketing. They will say they sold 99% more Nokia's with Windows on than Android. They just will forget to mention they only sold a total of 100 phones, because only the lamest of the Microsoft fan boy's would be one.

 

[misor]

Well we are talking in UNLOCKED prices, not plan prices, which free is a big fat lie, they are NOT FREE since you have to sell your soul to a company with a contract that ties you with them for at least a year.

as an el cheapo (smart)phone user, I approve of kibaruk's post.

 

[Sheikh Miraz]

Nokia X2 dual launches only in 4 colours. Green, Orange, White, Black. How can you show and say it also provides yellow colour?