Every time you are part of the 'best smartphone' debate, seldom you can end it without mentioning Nokia. It is a case study forever .. the market share that Nokia enjoyed, the market impact that the Finnish giant had and the fall of this Titanic on crashing the iceberg called 'Android'.
One of the reasons behind Nokia's fall was rumoured to be it's arrogance. Arrogance of not going the Google way (No Android). While one can not deny the fact that Windows OS has seen fair success in recent times but when it comes to smartphone and tablet operating system, undoubtedly android has taken this market by storm.
Nokia + Android could have been the best smartphone that the world could not see. It would have broken all sales record keeping Nokia afloat at numero uno.
Normandy is expected to be a budget smartphone and would most likely belong to 'Asha series' of phones. However, one can not rule the option of it being a 'Lumia' series smartphone too. Few months back, Stephen Elop, the former CEO of Nokia had backed company's choice of using Windows only over Android. What caused change in plans for ex-numero uno is up for debate!
Also, the release date of the smartphone will be very interesting given that Nokia is almost on the verge of completing its handset business buy out deal as per which Nokia can neither license the brand 'Nokia' nor it can use the brand for a specific period for manufacturing its own handsets.
Do you think Nokia + Android combo can help Nokia rule market again?
I agree with your view that a Nokia phone with an android platform would have been "The Smartphone" of the generation. Nokia could have really capitalized on its earlier image of dependable yet chic phones had it not been for its rigidity of not accepting the new market trend i.e. the android trend. There was no doubt that Nokia could have created the same magic as it did with the symbian phone which ruled the market for over a decade.
ReplyDeleteFinally it seems that some sense has prevailed with Nokia Normandy. However, I think its a little too late in the day for Nokia now. The buying factor for users of smartphones these days depend on two things. Firstly, the basic configuration of any phone i.e. configuration, display etc. Secondly, every smartphone buyer is concerned about the style statement a phone provides. That is why we see an upward trend towards apple's iphone despite its restricted functionality as compared to an android phone. Over the years with its staunch opposition for android phones, Nokia has failed to hit a cord with users who are brand conscious. That is why Nokia these days does not enjoy the same branding as that of an HTC/ Samsung/ Apple.
As of now I can only foresee this as a challenge that Nokia would have to overcome. If Nokia wants its market share back it will have to seriously consider undergoing an image makeover.
Well put together. Nokia's time may not retur again.
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