Is This The First New Android Smartphone From Nokia?

Nokia looks to be continuing to prove that rumours of its demise were greatly exaggerated, according to reports that say the company is set to launch a new Android smartphone.

Chinese site Techweb has published images (see below) of what it says is the Nokia C1, a 5in device running Android OS based on 5.0 Z Launcher and sporting what looks to be mid-range specifications.

The mystery device comes with an unspecified Intel processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, an 8-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front camera.

All-new?

Both Nokia and Microsoft had previously dabbled in Android devices during their partnership, having in June released the X2 smartphone, which ran a forked version of Google’s operating system with Microsoft applications heavily promoted.

The C1 would be Nokia’s first solo handset launch since its mobile division was acquired by Microsoft in April for £4.6bn, but may not see a release until the expiration of Nokia’s branding license agreement with Microsoft, which is thought to end in late 2016.

Instead, the Finnish company said it would be licensing out the Nokia brand to ensure it stays in the private eye, as Microsoft preferred to use the Lumia brand for its future releases – the first of which, the Lumia 535, was launched last month.

The first such branded product, the Nokia N1 tablet, a 7.9in device made by Chinese manufacturer Foxconn and running Android Lollipop saw the light of day last month.

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