First dual-SIM Lumia from Microsoft

The Lumia 630 handset is priced at Rs.11,500

Microsoft Devices on Monday announced the launch of its first dual-SIM Lumia phone, the Lumia 630, for Rs.11,500 in the Indian market. The device is also the first one from the company’s stable post-completion of acquisition of Nokia by Microsoft.

The device, which comes with quad-core processor and a 4.5 inch LCD screen, will be available for sale starting May 14. The Lumia 630 will also come in a single SIM variant that will be priced at Rs.10,500.

“Lumia is our principal smartphone strategy. The devices will come with Nokia’s promise of quality packed with Microsoft’s services like OneDrive, Office 365 and others. Lumia 630 opens a new avenue for affordable smartphones for us. It builds on the success of Lumia 520 and 525 and will consolidate our position in the fast growing affordable smartphone segment further,” P. Balaji, Managing Director of Nokia India, a subsidiary of Microsoft Mobiles Oy said.

Powered by the latest Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, the Lumia 630 features a 5 megapixel auto-focus camera. It has built-in low power sensors for health apps such as pedometers. The 630 dual SIM will compete with models such as Moto G, HTC Desire and Samsung Duos, which are all priced under Rs.12,000.

Talking about the demand for dual SIM devices, Mr. Balaji said that it was estimated that about 80 per cent of the smartphones sold under Rs.12,000 in India were dual SIM. Asked if more affordable devices would be brought out under the Lumia range, he said the firm would “continue to test newer price points.” At present, the cheapest model in the Lumia range is the 520, which retails for about Rs.8,400.

Accessories

Meanwhile, the company also launched two new accessories — treasure tag and bluetooth speakers. The treasure tag costs Rs.2,099 and allows users to track things like keys and bags. The device, which is of the size of a matchbox, alerts smartphone users when they go beyond 10 metres of the tagged item. It will be available by the end of this month. The mini bluetooth speaker is priced at Rs.5,499 and will be available by mid-June.