Nokia announces new low-end phones for AT & T and Cricket

HMD Nokia is now expanding the range of its smartphones in the United States with the launch of Nokia 3.1 A for AT & T and Nokia 3.1 C for Cricket. The Nokia 3.1 A is the company's first phone for the AT & T network since the relaunch of the brand by HMD in 2016, while the 3.1 C joins the largest 3.1 Plus since the beginning of the year on the network of Cricket.

Intended for beginners of the market, the phones are essentially identical in terms of specifications and features. They have widescreens of 5.45 inches and 720 pixels; 8 megapixel rear cameras with LED flash and 1080p video capture; 5 megapixel front cameras; According to Nokia, the 2,990 mAh batteries are good for two days of battery life; Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 processors with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage with support for microSD card expansion. Interestingly, the two Nokia 3.1 devices have USB C-type charging ports, unlike the recent Nokia 4.2, which despite its high-end and high cost, uses Micro USB technology. They also have 3.5mm headphone jacks.

Just like the rest of the Nokia range, the software that exploits them is the big differentiator of the 3.1A and 3.1C. Both launch with Android 9.0 Pie, and although they are not technically part of the Android One program. Because of the customization of their operators, the main user interface of the software is identical to that of other Nokia models and very similar to that of Google. offers on its Pixel line. Nokia will not engage in the same two years of platform updates and security patches that Android One devices receive for these models, but devices will receive system updates. exploitation and safety at a "normal pace and as often as possible". the 18 months of their launch.

Today's announcement brings Nokia's US range to nine models, ranging from basic devices such as 3.1 phones to high-end models like the Nokia 9 PureView. The company has largely avoided the high-end segment of the high-end products market, where the bulk of device sales (and profits) are concentrated in the United States.

Image: Nokia

Talk to The edgeFlorian Seiche, CEO of HMD Global, said the current goals of the company are to broaden its relationship with US carriers and get a "strong entry into the prepaid / value segment."

Maurizio Angelone, Vice President, Americas, of HMD Global, acknowledges that it is difficult to break into the US market. "We started our US market debut with unlocked devices via Amazon and Best Buy more than a year ago and this year we started working with some operators in the US to see how Nokia could reach a larger scale here. "

Until now, this involved building on the low end scale. Before version 3.1, the Nokia 2V was marketed on Verizon and the Nokia 3.1 Plus on Cricket. Both of these models are also low-end compared to 3.1 and address prepaid customers. The version released today doubles the number of Nokia phones sold by operators in the United States, although this figure remains modest.

Angelone pointed out that other models in the Nokia range, such as the Nokia 7.1 premium value, attracted the interest of US customers and that the Nokia 9 PureView was a test of water at a slightly higher price. Angelone said the company would have the opportunity, over the next twelve months, with the launch of 5G, to build better relationships with operators and to offer more options to the company. 39, American buyer of phones.

But for the moment, Nokia phones sold by US operators will be prepaid or basic. The Nokia 3.1 A will arrive at AT & T stores and retailers such as Walmart from June 10, while the Nokia 3.1 C will arrive in Cricket on June 14. Phone prices will be announced when they arrive in the stores, but you can expect both models to cost between $ 79.99 Nokia 2V and $ 159.99 Nokia 3.1.