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Nokia launches smarter device after 'dumb phone' release

Johannesburg - Nokia has announced the release of its first smartphone through the HMD Group – the new home of Nokia phones. 

The Nokia 6 will be released in China only at a price of R3 377, but gives the rest of the world an idea of what devices can be expected from the iconic phone maker under its new parent company. 

The Nokia 6 will feature a 5.5 inch display with full HD resolution and 2.5D Gorilla Glass for protection.

The display will be laminated together with a polarizer layer enabling sunlight readability, similar to the technology seen in older Nokia smartphones. 

It will feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage capacity, running the latest version of Android Nougat.

READ: Nokia launches 'dumb phone' with no internet or touchscreen

The device will also feature a primary 16 megapixel camera with phase detection and auto focus with an 8 megapixel selfie camera.

The company said it takes 55 minutes to machine a single Nokia 6 from a solid block of 6000 series aluminium. 

It then receives two separate anodising processes, taking over ten hours to complete, with each phone being polished no less than five times. 

HMD Global chief product officer Juho Sarvikas said: “We have set ourselves a mission to deliver the best possible smartphone experience, with a beautiful premium design touch to everyone, at every price point.

“By building on true Nokia phone hallmarks of leading design and materials, an obsessive focus on the latest technology and solving real-life issues, we believe we have a unique proposition for consumers. The Nokia 6 marks the first step on our journey, with more to come in 2017,” Sarvikas added.

'Dumb phone' comeback

Recently Nokia made its comeback under the HMD Group in the form of an unexpected ‘dumb phone’ with no touchscreen, no video recorder, no selfie camera or internet access.

READ: Nokia’s revival relies on dumb phones and love

HMD announced the release of the Nokia 150 and Nokia 150 Dual SIM, which are expected to carry a price tag of about $26 (R355), with a familiar Symbian interface reminiscent of the Nokia devices of the 00s.

The cheap device features a 2.4 inch screen with a built in FM radio, MP3 player and games.

The display has a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels in the new device with a 1020 mAh battery. 

While only the third of the size of a standard smartphone battery, with lower specifications on the device battery endurance is boasted at 744 hours on standby. 

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