Nokia Launches 1110 and 1600 Low-end Mobile Phones

The world’s top mobile phone maker Nokia has launched two new low-end handsets, the 1110 and 1600 models, aimed at first-time users in growth markets like Africa, China and India.

Nokia estimates a retail price of EUR65 for the 1110 model, the cheaper of the two new phones. The 1110 handset, which has an inverted black-and-white screen, replaces the current best-selling 1100.

The other model being launched is the 1600, has a color screen and an estimated retail price of EUR85.

Both phones, expected to be in shops during the third quarter of this year, include basic functions as well as a speaking clock and will feature a new graphic interface that Nokia says will enable illiterate people to use them.

Nokia expects the African subscriber base to reach 100 million by the end of this year and to double to 200 million by 2009.

"The number of new mobile users in fast growing markets continues to rise dramatically and nowhere is the rate of growth more evident than in Africa," Juha Pinomaa, a vice president of Nokia’s mobile phones unit, said in the statement.

"We remain committed to cutting the cost of phones in the future," said Pinomaa.