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Nokia launches Android phone models

Mobile phone company Nokia unveiled three new mid-range mobile phones running Google’s Android operating system at Barcelona’s major mobile technology event Monday.

Stephen Elop puhuu.
Stephen Elop puhui lehdistötilaisuudessa Barcelonan Mobile World Congress -messuilla maanantaina. Image: Lluis Gene / AFP

The move to the Android platform comes just before Nokia finalises a deal to sell its mobile phone business to phone partner Microsoft.

The three new models -- which resemble its Windows Phone-based Lumia developed with Microsoft – have been dubbed the Nokia X, X+ and XL and were launched Monday at the Mobile World Congress in Spain.

Outgoing chief executive Stephen Elop presented the new handsets, stressing that they will become part of the Microsoft product family.

The X models appear to be targeting a gap in the company’s product range, with prices around 100 euros.

Alongside the new Android-based phones, Nokia also presented two other inexpensive handsets, the Asha 230 and Nokia 220.

Last September Nokia announced a deal to sell its struggling mobile phone unit to its development partner Microsoft for around five billion euros. The proposed deal was rubber stamped by shareholders at an Exntarordinary General Meeting in November.

The sale is expected to be finalised by the end of the first quarter this year.