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Microsoft tempts SA with cheap Lumia 435

Cape Town - Microsoft has launched its cheapest Lumia smartphone in SA as the company looks to drive adoption of its Windows Phone operating system in developing markets.

On Wednesday, Microsoft launched the Lumia 435 powered by a 1.2GHz dual core processor and a display size of 10cm (4 inches).

"It is clear by the unprecedented adoption of smartphones across South Africa that people want a phone that is capable of performing more than just basic tasks, at an affordable price," said Shaun Durandt, general manager of Microsoft Mobile Devices, South Africa.

Microsoft acquired the mobile division from Nokia for $7.2bn as part of a strategy to drive an alternative ecosystem to Google's Android and Apple iOS operating systems.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been instrumental in pivoting the company to mobile.

Dual SIM

Under his leadership, Microsoft has made its Office available for free to Android and iOS platforms as well making the Windows Phone operating system free to handset manufacturers  

While Nokia phones commanded a 44% market share in SA in 2014, that number included feature phones and Microsoft has focused on mobile to drive its traditional software services.

The Lumia 435 comes with Microsoft Office installed as well as 30GB of free OneDrive online storage.

The dual SIM version of the device will not be heading to SA, but the single SIM device has Here Maps and Here Drive which allow navigation without the need for an internet connection.

The main camera is only rated at 2 megapixels which puts it relatively on par with smartphones in the R1 000 price range. The secondary camera is VGA.

Microsoft says the Lumia 435 will initially be available from Ackermans and Vodacom on prepaid for R1 149.


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