Early estimates indicate that Nokia likely sold 1.3 million Lumia handsets globally by the end of 2011. Sales figures aside, the data is great news for all involved as Nokia looks to rebuild investor confidence after an especially difficult year that saw the handset manufacturer lose $19 billion in value and their shares fall 52 percent.
Bloomberg arrived at the 1.3 million sales figure by combining estimates from 22 analysts with figures ranging from a low of 800,000 to a high of 2 million. Only one analyst predicted sales under 1 million.
Former Microsoft executive and current Nokia CEO Stephen Elop is betting the house on the company's new Lumia line of smartphones that run Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system. The duo announced the partnership in February 2011 as part of a deal that saw Nokia's Symbian OS become a franchise platform and Windows Phone OS become the primary platform moving forward.
Sales of Lumia smartphones could reach as high as 3.2 million units this quarter with heavy support from Asian markets. Estimates from Morgan Stanley indicate that 2012 total sales could eclipse 37 million units.
The Lumia line was on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month where the device picked up 13 awards. We were particularly impressed with the Lumia 900 that was introduced just one day before the show started as it featured the same sturdy feel as its predecessor (the 800) and was able to handle Windows Phone with ease.