Initially before completing the Microsoft-Nokia acquisition, Nokia introduced the Nokia X family of Android devices which were primarily for low budget market and were brought with the customized version of Android OS named Nokia X Platform.
Now when the acquisition has been completed, Microsoft Devices (formerly Nokia) introduces another Android smartphone but with an upgraded set of hardware which especially includes 1GB of RAM which was previously very low at maximum of 512 or 768MB of RAM in Nokia X and Nokia X+/XL. Another addition in the Nokia X2 is the ClearBlack display to better perform outdoors. Better processor and front-facing camera.
Nokia X2 can be said as successor to the original Nokia X and Nokia X+. It brings a little large screen of 4.3 inches with ClearBlack IPS display. Resolution stays the same at 480×800 pixels which downs the pixels density at 217 PPI.
Important upgrades are the 1.2GHz dual-core Cortex-A7 processor on Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chipset and 1GB of RAM. Well that is quite an impressive step-up. Another change which is good indeed can be seen in the images of the Nokia X2, that is the additional “home” button next to the “back” button under the screen.
With its 4.3″ display, Nokia X2 of course occupies more space physically than its predecessor measuring 121.7 x 68.3 and is more thicker as 11.1mm which weighs more as 150 grams than Nokia X weighing 129 grams. But that also includes the battery with more capacity in Nokia X2 which is 1800mAh.
Primary camera in Nokia X2 is upgraded with 5MP sensor which was only a 3.15MP on the predecessor. One more appealing addition is the the front-facing camera that was only available in Nokia XL is now present in Nokia X2 but only with VGA resolution of 640×480 pixels.
Nokia X Platform 2.0
Not only at the hardware side, Nokia X2 brings updated software that is Nokia X Platform 2.0. It’s based on Android AOSP API Level 18, that’s Android Jelly Bean 4.3. It also brings changes to the user interface of Nokia X2 which more prominently includes the 4 tiles per row (they were only 3 previously).
Here is something to be noted. Old Nokia Android devices including Nokia X, X+ and XL which runs on Nokia X Platform 1.x won’t be facilitated with the upgraded Nokia X Platform 2.0.
Because of the necessary hardware upgrades, the Nokia X software platform 2.0 won’t be available on Nokia X, Nokia X+ or Nokia XL. However, more updates will be coming to further improve the experience of those devices in the coming months.
There is another screen in addition to the Home screen (the tiles based app launcher) and Fastlane (the recent activities or multitasking view). The new Apps List screen is just like the one on Lumia/Windows Phone OS which provides the list of all the apps installed on the phone.
The new Apps list screen also changes the way the original “Home” screen used to do previously. As the the Apps list will now contain all the installed apps, the Home screen will serve for you to contain those apps shortcuts which are important to you. You will decide which app tiles will be pinned to the home screen. The interface should be just like on the Lumia where you pick the app from the Apps list screen and pin it to the home screen.
Pricing and Availability
Nokia X2 will be priced at 99 EUR or 135 USD (without taxes or subsidies) and available immediately in select countries globally. It comes 6 colours including glossy green, orange, black, yellow, white, matt dark grey.
Existence of local pages of Nokia X2 on Nokia Pakistan’s website shows that the smartphone may be available soon in the Pakistani market. The price of Nokia X2 may be around Rs. 14,000 PKR in Pakistan when available.
Features & Specifications
Processor:
- Dual-core 1.2GHz : Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 200
Memory:
- Internal Memory: 4GB.
- Expandable with MicroSD up to 32GB
- RAM: 1GB
- Free cloud storage: 7GB
Display:
- 4.3″ display, WVGA resolution of (800 x 480) pixels, ClearBlack LCD. Pixel density: of 217.0 ppi
- Scratch resistant glass, Nokia Glance screen, Double-tap to wake
Dimensions:
- 121.7 x 68.3 x 11.1 mm
- Weight: 150 g
Software:
- Nokia X Platform 2.0 (Android Jelly Bean 4.3)
Networks:
- 2G, GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 – SIM 1 & SIM 2
- 3G, HSDPA 900 / 2100
Connectivity:
- Micro SIM. Dual SIM (Dual Standby SIM )
- Micro-USB, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi
Battery & Power:
- Battery capacity: 1800.0 mAh
- Removable battery: Yes
- Maximum 2G talk time: 10.0 h
- Maximum 3G talk time: 13.0 h
- Maximum standby time with dual SIM: 23.0 days
- Maximum music playback time: 86 h
- Maximum video playback time: 6.0 h
- Maximum cellular network browsing time: 4 h
- Maximum Wi-Fi network browsing time: 11.5 h
Revising the Comparison
Nokia X2 bundles with increased 1GB of RAM and better CPU. Improved primary camera and includes additional front-facing camera. Software side is enhanced with a new Apps list screen as well as more tiles on the home screen.
That’s it. Well they are enough to get you upgraded with Nokia X2 if you own a predecessor. We hope this upgraded set of hardware will make the Nokia’s Android smartphone much competitive to the other Android smartphones available in this price range as well as it should decrease enough flaws such as sluggishness of the interface on the phone with the upgraded RAM and better CPU. Plus the front-facing camera for video calling make it worthier.
We hope to get our hands on it specially for the Nokia X Platform 2.0 to see if there are new features which we found missing in the initial release.
