Nokia launches its first dual SIM phone in India, Nokia C1, for Rs. 1,999

Nokia has released its first dual SIM phone, and is launching it first into the Indian market. While Nokia introduced the Nokia C2-00 as well, the Nokia C1-00 will hit the streets first, and already has a price: 1,999. While this is bit higher than we expected earlier (Rs. 1,700), this low-priced dual SIM phone is definitely a milestone for the company. Find the detailed specifications of the two phones on the next page…

The Nokia C1-00 is a very basic Series 30 phone that offers only voice and SMS capabilities, along with FM radio, and a flashlight. It will come bundled with a stereo headset, apart from a charger. Some of the phone’s unique features for its price include a speaking/alarm clock in local Indian languages, call tracker, and multiple phone books (one per SIM).

The Nokia C2-00 however, is a Series 40 dual SIM that attempts to cater to those who want a little more from their phone, offering GPRS facilities, MP3 player, microSD expandability up to 32GB, FM radio with recording, 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth, MMS, and a VGA camera, in addition to the voice, SMS, and dual SIM facilities of the Nokia C1-00. Most notably, the phone will also come with Nokia Ovi Life Tools, as mentioned earlier.

Present at the India-exclusive launch was Mary Lloyd, Executive Vice President of Nokia’s Mobile Phone division, who spoke at length of the importance of India and other emerging markets for Nokia, and how they accounted for a significant percentage of the 360 million Nokia phones sold in 2009. In fact, according to Lloyd, these markets have become such major players in the global scene, that is hard to “ignore” them anymore, so much so, that Nokia wishes to call these emerging markets “blossoming markets” instead.

Lloyd went on to speak about how Nokia has a place in every price segment in India, and its massive presence in the country is unique, especially with its “hyper-local” approach to sales and Nokia Care, as well as dedicated research and testing centres within the country itself. Her division concentrates on sub-$125 phones, and at that segment, what becomes more important than making the phone inexpensive is ensuring that it contains the “relevant innovation” or relevant features for its demographic. She believes that with the Nokia C1-00 and Nokia C2-100, they have once again managed this juggling act.

Read on to see the detailed specifications of the two phones…

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Abhinav Lal

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