Microsoft Mobile has just unveiled the Nokia X2, which comes exactly four months after the unveiling of the first Android-powered Nokia X. Even though the Nokia X2 is an entry level device, it offers itself as a decent upgrade over the original and is now better prepared to compete against other entry level Android smartphones.
The Nokia X2 runs a forked version of Android, but the platform is now based on the newer Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The Nokia X platform, as it is known has now been updated to version 2.0 and comes with a tiled interface similar to Windows Phone. It also features the same Fastlane user interface, which comes straight from the Asha devices. The Fastlane provides users with a timeline of your activities, which provides you with a list of your recently-accessed apps, upcoming events, tasks, and more.
We hope that Microsoft will further optimize the user interface on the Nokia X platform to look more like Windows Phone. Having a different style tile layout and a Fastlane feature not available on Windows Phone, doesn't actually help the illusion of Oneness among Microsoft's devices. Here's hoping that that the Nokia X platform version 3.0 has something similar to what we described in this article.
However the Nokia X2 (just like its predecessor) will not ship with Google's apps or services, like GMail, YouTube or Google Play. Fortunately users can still manually sideload and install most Android APK files. The Nokia X2 will also come with its own Nokia Store along with apps and services from Nokia and Microsoft, including Skype, Outlook.com, OneDrive (with 15GB of available cloud storage), OneNote, HERE Maps and others. While the Nokia Store may not be as populated as the Google Play Store, or even the Amazon App Store, you will find that the more popular Android apps, such as Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Line, WeChat, and others are already available.
When it comes to web browsing, Microsoft has selected Opera as the default web browser on the Nokia X2. Not only is Opera the default browser in the new Android device that's coming straight from Microsoft, it's also available for the previous representatives of the Nokia X family – the Nokia X, the Nokia X+, and the Nokia XL. Opera Mobile comes with several interesting features that will be surely well-received by the users of the device. Apart from Opera Turbo (also known as Off-Road mode), which paves the way for hefty data savings, the browser also comes with the Speed Dial, which allows the creation of convenient bookmarks and the Discover feature which treats users to the "cream of the crop in fresh content".
In terms of hardware, the Nokia X2 features a 4.3 inch ClearBlack LCD display with a 480 x 800 pixel resolution. While the display is larger than its predecessor, it has a lower (217 ppi) pixel density and is less sharper as it has retained the same resolution. You also get 4GB of internal storage which can be expanded through microSD, a 5 megapixel rear camera with flash and a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200. The Nokia X comes with double the RAM of the Nokia X, which means you now get 1GB of RAM, which should makes apps and games run alot smoother.
When it comes to web browsing, Microsoft has selected Opera as the default web browser on the Nokia X2. Not only is Opera the default browser in the new Android device that's coming straight from Microsoft, it's also available for the previous representatives of the Nokia X family – the Nokia X, the Nokia X+, and the Nokia XL. Opera Mobile comes with several interesting features that will be surely well-received by the users of the device. Apart from Opera Turbo (also known as Off-Road mode), which paves the way for hefty data savings, the browser also comes with the Speed Dial, which allows the creation of convenient bookmarks and the Discover feature which treats users to the "cream of the crop in fresh content".In terms of hardware, the Nokia X2 features a 4.3 inch ClearBlack LCD display with a 480 x 800 pixel resolution. While the display is larger than its predecessor, it has a lower (217 ppi) pixel density and is less sharper as it has retained the same resolution. You also get 4GB of internal storage which can be expanded through microSD, a 5 megapixel rear camera with flash and a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200. The Nokia X comes with double the RAM of the Nokia X, which means you now get 1GB of RAM, which should makes apps and games run alot smoother.
The Nokia X2 also totes a duo of capacitive buttons on its front - a back and a home button for easy multitasking. That's another improvement in comparison with the Nokia X, which only packed a back button. The device also sports a shiny "brand-new cool translucent outer layer" which should add a layer of protection and give it a sheen.
Microsoft says that the Nokia X2 will be immediately available in select markets and will retail for around $134 (EUR 99) before taxes and subsidies. It will be available in glossy green, orange, and black. Additional color options, such as glossy yellow, white, and matt dark grey will follow soon.
The Nokia X2 seems like a worthy rival to the entry-level Motorola Moto E, as both devices are almost on par in terms of on-board hardware and price. Would you consider picking up the affordable Nokia X2 as your next smartphone ? Leave us a comment below and let us know if you are happy with the upgraded model.
source - Nokia | Microsoft
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