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?
Related posts:
- Nokia 2730 classic launches - cheapest 3G phone
- Nokia phone sharing begins in Kenya
- Indian farmers to reap tailored mobile benefits
Tags | 1202, africa, conversations, Emerging markets, india, Nokia





























November 5th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Thank you Nokia.
Im sure a lot of people who are poor will enjoy this new phone.
Bless you!
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November 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
cool, its nice that nokia still looks up into small peoples, almost anyone can afford it, cheap but very useful.. keep it up… GOODLUCK.
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November 8th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
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….
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November 11th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Hello its really very nice mobile…….any one can buy it…there are so many options are there in this set…..good luck..
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
@Pratibha, nice comments
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February 12th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
its a very beautiful handset
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February 17th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Кога ще влезе в България? (When this phone is in Bulgaria?)
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February 18th, 2009 at 7:32 am
what are the price my be in Tanzania?
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March 18th, 2009 at 5:09 am
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.
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March 18th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
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.
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March 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 am
How to change the default keyguard code in 1202? Can’t find any way to change
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April 12th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
the phone is not good….
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April 28th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
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 !!!
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May 4th, 2009 at 7:06 am
wao very god lookingmobile phone
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May 18th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Hey there people .. can u please tell me ..wether da phone’s havin some kinda stopwatch, countdown timer & message counter…
Post replies sooon
thanks …..
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May 18th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
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
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May 19th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
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?
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June 13th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
THE PEOPLES PHONE
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June 13th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
THE PEOPLES PAPER AND PHONE SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ENJOY THE WORLD BEAUTIFUL PHONES
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June 22nd, 2009 at 3:56 am
Buy Mokia 1202 $?TQ
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July 1st, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I SAW A PONE 4 5 QUID SO THATS THE CHEAPEST
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