Products & Services
Nokia 1280: cheapest Nokia phone yet
By Mike on 04 November 2009
JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Nokia 1280 doesn’t look unusual, but it certainly is unique and quite special. This time last year we brought you news of the Nokia 1202 for India, a 25 Euro phone that sparked a heap of great comments when we first unveiled it at the tail end of 2008. Now, today sees the launch of a device that shaves 20 percent off that price tag, with the announcement of the first 20 Euro handset in the form of the Nokia 1280 – Nokia’s cheapest ever phone. One stride closer to the reality of a 5 Euro phone? The concept doesn’t seem so far fetched. Read on to find out more about the new 1280, and scribble down your thoughts in the comments section below.
The new Nokia 1280 is a device perched at the absolute opposite side of the playing field to the N900 in terms of high-end functionality and performance, but that certainly doesn’t mean it warrants any less attention or kudos. See, I have a serious soft spot for what this device stands for and what it means – it’s a fresh-faced pioneer in terms of showing how low the price of a handset can go without sacrificing basic quality, performance and functionality. That’s no mean feat of engineering, or ambition for that matter, don’t you think? We need handsets like the 1280, as they push our expectations and drive performance and value benchmarks in an entirely different fashion.
The 1280 has been built to meet the needs of folk in remote and rural areas. In environments such as this, phone sharing is extremely common and necessary, so the new Nokia 1280 features five separate phone books, designed specifically so five different people can comfortably use it (first seen on the Nokia 1202) – split that 20 Euros between five members of a community and it becomes a 4 Euro device of sorts. I think that’s pretty incredible when you think about it in those terms.
Highly dust resistant and scratch resistant with a robust keyboard, the 1280 has been designed with longevity in mind. The same can be said on the battery life front, with up to 22 days of standby time and 8.5 hours of talk time – invaluable in communities where gaining access to electricity can often mean traveling to the nearest town many miles away.
Other key features include a torch, again a significantly valuable tool in areas without electricity, speaking clock with alarm, hands-free calling and FM radio support. Style hasn’t been left out of the equation though, as the 1280 features changeable colour covers and loud MP3 grade ringtones.
It will launch in certain markets with Nokia Life Tools pre-loaded.
The Nokia 1280 is slated to launch in the first quarter of 2010 for 20 Euros.
Let us know your thoughts on the cheapest Nokia phone yet.
Related posts:
- Nokia 2730 classic launches – cheapest 3G phone
- Poll: what’s the most important feature in a low-cost phone for emerging markets?
- Nokia Life Tools lands in Indonesia
Tags | 1280, Indonesia, Nokia 1280
November 4th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
another milestone of 25 euros from nokia . i was surprised to see a 3.5 mm jack ! and integration with lifetools shows nokia’s commitment to development and connecting people, as usual.
Reply
November 5th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Oppss… Nokia did it again…
Just the other day, I saw at the news paper about the launch of the other brand, and when the reporter ask the high rank officer of that company about the cheap product that were sold with facebook capability, that person said, “people would feel ashame to use cheap product……”, and I thought that kind of company should never receive my support (money) even they sold good product.
With this Nokia 1280 product, I see this as a good sign that nokia didn’t fell ashame to build an affordable phone. This is a sign that nokia really care at connecting people. And deserve the money from the high end (N-series/E-series).
I really wish nokia continuing this kind of down to earth leadership.
Reply
November 6th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Ahhh, I was hoping that this time you would make it a “one month phone”
(of standby time). 1202 wasn’t that far off already…and I’d just love to see Nokia having such bragging rights 
Still, great class of devices. Also as a second phone, when hiking, etc. when I want to be sure I can rely on it (and it probably won’t let me down even if abused, quite sturdy overall; BTW, how about a phone from this basic series that is even more rugged than 3720? (more waterproof?) Or even with “SOS flashlight”, emergency SMS (coupled to simple GPS that only displays coordinates? Nah, GPS probably not cheap enough for this phone class ;/ ) with few creative ways of activation, that sort of things?)
But most importantly – thanks for trying to bring connectivity to as many people who want it as possible. Might make the world a bit better place…
Reply
November 16th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Good to see. My Nokia 1100 is still going strong, they seem to build the lower end phones to last as well, impressive in this day and age.
Reply
November 30th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Only one problem: I can’t get it in Canada because North America uses GSM 850/1900. Could you please make a version available for North American markets?
Reply
January 7th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
What is Exact Launch Date?
When it will be available in Pune (India).
I want to buy it. I was actually thinking about 1202.
But this has Larger SMS, Contact Capecity and Radio.
I am impressed with its looks also.
Reply
ram Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 7:13 am
hey rushi, me too waiting to know the launch date here in chennai… hope nokia will solve all the old software and hardware related issues in this phone.
Reply
January 19th, 2010 at 3:24 am
upcoming models in cheap cost when u did launch these cell phones . this year .
Reply
February 8th, 2010 at 11:40 am
I’m kinda late looking into this, but frankly, the design is excellent. Utilitarian and cool in a kind of retro toolish way like a good pencil, good coffee, good notebook, etc. That is of course in total contradiction with the fact that this device is mostly aimed for developing markets.
It seems SE is marketing a phone called Pureness with a tagline “Talk. Text. Time.” It’s ridiculously expensive and has almost zero features. Now, if I was Nokia, I would take this phone add some frequencies to make it more globally functional. Then match it with a nice plain leather case. Sell it for 39 eur in some concept stores as a nice clean office supply. That’s very boutique mindshare, you know.
Reply