MWC 2018: Nokia Press Event Live Blog (3pm UTC, 10am ET)
by Anton Shilov on February 25, 2018 9:50 AM EST- Posted in
- MWC 2018
- Nokia
- Smartphones
09:59AM EST - We are live from the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, where HMD Global plans to announce new Nokia smartphones.
10:02AM EST - According to TrendForce, HMD sold about 11.5 million Nokia-branded phones last year, more than brands like Sony. Jumping from 0 to 11.5M is an achievement
10:03AM EST - Right now the head of Nokia is rewcapping 2017 for the brand
10:04AM EST - The brand introduced 11 phone models and started operations in 80 countries
10:05AM EST - Consumers love Nokia phones... again, according to HMD.
10:06AM EST - 70 million Nokia handsets shipped in 2017 - both smartphones and feature phones.
10:06AM EST - This year the company plans to expand its portfolio and go to new markets.
10:07AM EST - HMD recaps its innovations from 2017 and promises to bring something new this year.
10:09AM EST - For those feel nostalfic, Nokia will offer re-imagined 8110 later this year.
10:10AM EST - Obviously, the new Nokia 8110 4G will suport LTE. Along with Google Assistant, Google Maps, Facebook, Twitter and... Snake, of course.
10:11AM EST - The Nokia 8110 4G will ship in black and yellow and will be available in may for less than 100 EUR.
10:13AM EST - In addition to inexpensive Classics, Nokia plans to introduce the Nokia 1 smartphone for price-conscious buyers in developing countries.
10:14AM EST - The Nokia 1 is based on the Android Oreo Go Edition, so, should work smoothly.
10:15AM EST - It will be avalable in early April for $85 on select markets.
10:16AM EST - Nokia is proud that it could push the Android Oreo to high-end products already in 2017. The Nokia 3 and 2 will get it in the coming weeks.
10:17AM EST - In addition, Nokia plans to release Android One phones.
10:18AM EST - HMD is now announcing its new 2018 Nokia 6 featuring Adnroid One.
10:19AM EST - It will come in aluminum unibody, feature Zeiss optics and will be powered by the Snapdragon 630 SoC.
10:20AM EST - Nokia 6 will also support wireless charging.
10:21AM EST - The new Nokia 6 will ship in early April for 279 EUR.
10:21AM EST - Now, the new high-end device...
10:23AM EST - The new Nokia 7 Plus features 18:9 6" screen and comes in aluminum unibody.
10:24AM EST - The new Nokia 7 Plus comes with a redesigned camera and comes with the Snapdragon 660 SoC.
10:25AM EST - Built-in software will include an AI-based imaging suite.
10:26AM EST - Head of Zeiss marketing on stage.
10:26AM EST - Recapping what Zeiss and Nokia have achieved over the years - from the N-series phones to PureView.
10:27AM EST - He did not announce anything new, but told us to stay tuned.
10:28AM EST - The Nokia 7 Plus will ship in April for 399 EUR.
10:29AM EST - Finally! A Nokia phone with an eye-catching design. Introducing the Nokia 8 Sirocco.
10:31AM EST - The Nokia 8 Sirocco is made of steel and glass. Comes with the same cameras as the 7 Plus.
10:31AM EST - The Nokia 8 Sirocco will be available in April at 749 EURs.
10:33AM EST - Recapping what they announced today, from cheap Nokia 1 to the design masterpiece Nokia 8 Sirocco.
10:34AM EST - HMD invited Google's VP and Play business to the stage. Google likes to work with HMD, he says.
10:35AM EST - In a bid to continue increasing sales of smartphones, Google believes that handset makers need to introduce cheaper models for emerging markets.
10:36AM EST - Android One is obviously another important initiative that enables Google to bring innovations to various devices quickly.
10:39AM EST - The Google exec seems to be excited about the new Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 8 Sirocco and says that they will get better over time due to innovations of the OS.
10:41AM EST - So, that's it, Nokia today refreshed its higher-end phones, introduced a new Classics and a new entry-level Nokia 1 for emerging markets.
10:42AM EST - Thank you for staying with us!
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Hurr Durr - Sunday, February 25, 2018 - link
This new Nokia has even less reason to exist than old one. Back then muh camera was a differentiator at least.BedfordTim - Sunday, February 25, 2018 - link
I love the idea of the 8110 4G.Hurr Durr - Sunday, February 25, 2018 - link
Cone on, it`s your basic barely usable gimmick Nokia phone, and I say this as Lumia 730 user for whta, three years now.hemedans - Sunday, February 25, 2018 - link
pureview camera took 5 year to develop, dont expect them to do it in just one year. even sd 845 cant handle some of pureview technologies, they need custom chip. last year we did get ozo audio, today they anounced pro camera (like lumia camera software), slowly they will import all those camera technologies to These android phones.mooninite - Sunday, February 25, 2018 - link
It would be great to know if they are considering any USA presence again or if they will be Europe / Asia only... Very disappointing the Nokia 8 128gb did not land in the USA. I was ready to buy a dozen of them...pandemonium - Tuesday, February 27, 2018 - link
The 64GB unlocked international version is on Amazon in the U.S., at least. I was tempted by it, but the camera isn't quite leader of the pack and I refuse to own a Nokia that doesn't have that edge over its competition.darkswordsman17 - Sunday, February 25, 2018 - link
WTF @ the 8 if its just the 7 Plus with glass and steel body for a few hundred more.Which they actually might be beating Apple on design, as there's rumors that the next iPhones will be like the X, but with some models having a stainless steel edge/frame. Which I like, as the stainless steel sides of the V10 are sturdy and gives a nice feel. I'd much rather have something other than glass for the back though. Nokia's good polycarbonate would be preferred, maybe with some texturized finish.
Definitely disappointed to not see their multi-lens phone that was rumored (guessing that might be what the Zeiss guy was saying to "stay tuned" for).
BurntMyBacon - Tuesday, February 27, 2018 - link
Apparently the 8 has a Snapdragon 835 instead of the Snapdragon 660 in the 7 Plus. Whether or not this upgrade justifies the price is up to you. I agree with you on the good texturized polycarbonate back.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_One
nikon133 - Monday, February 26, 2018 - link
If Nokia 7+ had wireless charging (even if it forces plastic/glass back instead of metal unibody) it would be perfect phone for me.Regardless. For someone who likes "pure" Android experience but does not like design of Pixel phones, 7 and 8 are solid choice, imho. As long as Nokia fulfills promise of staying up-to-date with Android updates.
CityBlue - Tuesday, February 27, 2018 - link
> 10:20AM EST - Nokia 6 will also support wireless charging.I haven't been able to find any confirmation on the Nokia site or elsewhere that the Nokia 6 (2018) includes wireless charging, which is a shame as it would be my next phone if it did support wireless charging.