Nokia aiming for more innovation and greater range of Windows Phones in 2022

Sitting down with Chris Weber, Executive Vice President, Nokia Global Sales and Marketing at Nokia, is always a fun challenge here at Windows Telephone Fundamental as we want to ask way more questions than nosotros can go answers too.

Still, nosotros try and it's clear that Nokia for 2022 take specific goals and messages for their Lumia line..

Wider range of devices in 2022

The bulletin that Nokia is emphasizing hither at CES 2022 is that we'll meet an increment in variation of Windows Phones, especially for the three US carriers AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

Dart was noticeably absent from that list and to exist sure Sprint is forging a deals with HTC and Samsung for its upcoming Windows Telephone 8 lineup this summer. That's not to say Nokia may not brand a bargain too but so far, it looks like Sprint is a no-go.

Reducing marketing jargon to consumer speak, we tin see that Nokia is looking to get both high-end and mid-range devices on all carriers and not just AT&T. Indeed we take heard rumblings in the past that Verizon is destined to get its own "Pureview" Windows Phone in 213 and T-Mobile may get a variant of the Lumia 920. Could we see such devices announced side by side month in Barcelona? We think in that location's a expert chance though we wouldn't call it a slam-dunk just yet.

Not surprising but Nokia has stated such a strategy going dorsum exactly 12 months agone, when Chris Weber emphasized the same points:

"The nigh important thing nosotros tin can practice in the U.S. market is bring sectional devices and opportunities to each of the carriers," he said. "Doing that exclusivity and giving them something unique allows us to go great carrier back up."

Speaking of US carriers, nosotros did ask Weber nearly the reaction to the Lumia 920 beingness an AT&T sectional (six months) and how that strategy differs from their European one. They did confirm that in the US, carrier exclusivity is very important to the operators and by entering into such deals it gives Nokia stronger retail presence in addition to lower price points due to college subsidies.

It's the deal with the devil and while we may not like it, it's a arroyo that seems necessary for Nokia to survive. This differs from Europe where such agreements are less of import and merely this morning, we saw United kingdom carrier Three denote the Lumia 920.

Of course for consumers this is both good news and bad news as it means a wider range of devices but as well less consistency for single brand marketing. Though messages may get muddled we retrieve so long as each carrier every bit something loftier-end comparable to the Lumia 920, most customers won't actually mind.

The other focus for Nokia: Innovation and imaging

If you read our interview with Nokia's camera guru, Juha Alakarhu, you'll remember that imaging is going to be a big part of Nokia'south strategy going forward and peculiarly in 2022.

Weber informed us that emphasizing that message for Nokia is a top priority of theirs. When nosotros asked near how they could convey their ideas more succinctly/what they would do differently, they noted that Nokia wants to option "fewer things and go big with them" and not overwhelm the customer with facts, specifications and jargon.

Nosotros've seen this a flake with the "PureView" branding and we think in 2022, Nokia will be fifty-fifty more concise with their strategy going forward. For the record, nosotros did ask Weber where the Lumia 920 commercials showing off that device'due south exceptional camera are and while we didn't become a firm response, we're eager that Nokia takes the reins on that 1.

Needless to say that Nokia concentrating on things similar augmented reality, their mapping services and imaging volition go on in 2022 and they volition double down their efforts. The strategy appears to exist working every bit the Lumia 920 has done quite well for the manufacturer and initial reaction from customers (via surveys) is that such features are "resonating".

What nearly Instagram?

Yes, we did enquire the most loaded question for Microsoft and Nokia this year and that is regarding the status of Instagram coming to the Lumia line of smartphones (and the platform in general).

The merely bit nosotros could get Weber to say on the matter is "Lots of efforts for Instragram", which is something we've known for some time. It's non because Microsoft or Nokia are not actively trying to get the popular photo service onto Windows Phone but in that location are obviously some speed bumps preventing it from happening sooner rather than afterwards.

The proficient news from this and previous conversations with Microsoft is it sounds like both companies are engaged to brand this happen.

The take away for 2022

Cameras and more Lumias. That'south our interpretation of what Nokia'southward plans are for the coming year. Nosotros've seen the 808 Pureview announced last year in Barcelona and its purpose was to emphasize high resolution images via its 41MP imaging sensor. The Lumia 920 took aim at low-lite photography via newer components and optical-paradigm-stabilization (OIS) aka "PureView II".

Could we run into a merging of the 808's sensor and Lumia 920? Or mayhap Nokia will go along to explore mobile imaging by coming up with a third mode to go on the PureView line? All of those are possibilities and nosotros're getting potent vibes from the company that they have a lot more than tricks up their sleeves.

Likewise, we call up for those in the US who desire a 920-like device merely who are not on AT&T, y'all're wish may come true as Nokia is again engaged on delivering unique devices to US carriers equally "exclusives". While everyone may want a Lumia 920, we're betting that if a lighter, thinner version came out with updated specs and it was exclusive to your carrier, you wouldn't say "no" either.

Hopefully nosotros'll larn more side by side month in Barcelona where we expect Microsoft and Nokia to reveal some more data.

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