Products & Services

Nokia 1202: cheapest phone ever

By Mike on 04 November 2008

NEW DELHI, India - Today Nokia unveiled a stable of new handsets tailored to emerging markets, but it’s the 1202 that really stood out for me. It almost goes without saying that affordability is a key aspect for everyone in any country, but it’s a factor that’s amplified in poorer and more remote areas of India and Africa, so it was hugely encouraging to see the Nokia 1202 was announced bearing a price tag of just 25 Euros, making it the cheapest handset the company has ever launched.

Sure, this is a handset that is stripped back to the bare bones (and would be right at home in The 1100 Club, nonetheless what’s remarkable is the features that have been included and the performance that it manages for such a low price. Which immediately begs the question of how low we can go. 15 Euros? 5 Euros?

Its unassuming shell stomachs some hidden talents that would make many other ‘budget’ phones blush. Designed for use in rural communities, the team responsible for the design has included a large dust resistant keypad and built a flashlight into the device. But what really stands out is the battery life - it has a standby time of up to 26 days and talk time of up to 9 hours, which is extremely valuable to people living in areas where they have to travel a long way (an often into towns) to get their devices charged.

Equally as significant is that this is a phone designed to be shared, by up to five individuals or families - the 1202 has multiple phone books and time and pre-paid tracker, meaning that each user can separate and manage their individual usage. Suddenly it becomes a device costing 5 Euros per person, if bought as a group.

Is that how we should see it? What do you think?

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  20 Comments For This Post

  1. Gomcoite Says:

    Thank you Nokia.

    Im sure a lot of people who are poor will enjoy this new phone.

    Bless you!

    [Reply]

  2. pink mobiles Says:

    cool, its nice that nokia still looks up into small peoples, almost anyone can afford it, cheap but very useful.. keep it up… GOODLUCK.

    [Reply]

  3. Mazoni Says:

    It would be a nice phone for just about anyone who doesnt need anything fancy options. too bad Nokia decided that this phone wont reach the european markets.. according to Nokia “it would interfere with the sales of more expensive phones…” no kidding.. but for limiting the sale region on that account? cmon… i would be more than willing to get myself one of those. mainly cause i dont need anything more than sms and the typical call services. AND i cant afford the more expensive phones.. My advice to Nokia.. re-think ur marketing strategy….

    [Reply]

  4. Pratibha Says:

    Hello its really very nice mobile…….any one can buy it…there are so many options are there in this set…..good luck..

    [Reply]

    Anonymous Reply:

    @Pratibha, nice comments

    [Reply]

  5. Anas sajid Says:

    its a very beautiful handset

    [Reply]

  6. Георги Says:

    Кога ще влезе в България? (When this phone is in Bulgaria?)

    [Reply]

  7. edwin Says:

    what are the price my be in Tanzania?

    [Reply]

  8. Ruud Says:

    LG gives a color phone in same price plus a mobile tracker.

    Poor people are not the only users, people who just want to keep inexpensive phone are also make up user base.

    [Reply]

  9. Rizwan Says:

    It is no doubt a very good phone by Nokia, smart look + reasonable functionality.

    I must say that it is one of the best phones in this price range.

    [Reply]

  10. Razzi Says:

    How to change the default keyguard code in 1202? Can’t find any way to change :-(

    [Reply]

  11. nosa Idehen Says:

    the phone is not good….

    [Reply]

  12. Shalika Says:

    O God nice phone…
    So smart look it has !
    I bought that one yesterday..
    No options..Just simple
    I accidentally found that when searching 4 Motorola F3…
    Cheap but best ever from nokia !
    Thanks !!!

    [Reply]

  13. arif rauf Says:

    wao very god lookingmobile phone

    [Reply]

  14. Shweta Says:

    Hey there people .. can u please tell me ..wether da phone’s havin some kinda stopwatch, countdown timer & message counter…

    Post replies sooon
    thanks …..

    [Reply]

  15. Jordanne GH Says:

    Iv seen phones on the market on websites for 20 pounds, but i guess thats very much for poor people.

    Um,
    But my mam intends to get exspensive phones, since she likes 8-10 megapixel ones, its because she just texts/calls and take photos

    [Reply]

  16. nancy Says:

    I badly wanted to buy this new phone but when i reached there i was told that it’s out of stock.what can i do?

    [Reply]

  17. JOHN Says:

    THE PEOPLES PHONE

    [Reply]

  18. JOHN Says:

    THE PEOPLES PAPER AND PHONE SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ENJOY THE WORLD BEAUTIFUL PHONES

    [Reply]

  19. yohanes Says:

    Buy Mokia 1202 $?TQ

    [Reply]

  20. Anonymous Says:

    I SAW A PONE 4 5 QUID SO THATS THE CHEAPEST

    [Reply]

1 Trackbacks For This Post

  1. Mobiele Telefoons » Nokia makes phone … Says:

    [...] makes phone that last up to 26days! http://bit.ly/g0sft Tags: fresh, [...]

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