By Matthew Henry
SYDNEY: Nokia this morning previewed five new Classic series mobile phones set to launch to the Australian market in the next few weeks, comprising three flip phones and two traditional monoblock form factor handsets.
The Classic series makes up the mid-range offering in Nokia’s portfolio with prices for the new models ranging from RRP $200 to RRP $500 – a price segment that Nokia says accounts for up to 60 per cent of purchases in the mobile phone category.
“The mid-tier category of Nokia phones provides a full range of features and functionality. These mobiles are sleek, stylish, feature-packed and affordable,” said Nokia general manager, Shaun Colligan.
The hero model in the new range will be the Nokia 6131 flip phone, which features Bluetooth wireless connecivity, 16.7 million colour 2.2-inch display, push-button flip function and music playback with mp3, wma, mp4 and m4a support.
Colligan believes consumers have a strong appetite for newer, technologically advanced devices. In this new range, advanced features like Bluetooth, music playback, high resolution screens and 3G are starting to flow down to Nokia’s mid-tier offering.
“We are now seeing 3G handsets arrive in the mid range price bracket. With the uptake of services like 3G, which continues to gain mass-attraction in the market with over 45.7 million subscribers globally at the end of 2005, we are confident that our products, such as the Nokia 6233, will be extremely popular,” he said.
Four of the five models in the new range will have Bluetooth and all models have a built-in digital camera.