Nokia debuts new ‘military grade’ smartphone equipped with 5G
The maker of Nokia-branded phones debuted its latest line of three new devices on Tuesday, including a “military grade” smartphone that’s equipped with 5G capabilities.
HMD Global, which was created by former Nokia executives in
2016 and bought Nokia’s ailing mobile phone unit back from Microsoft in a $350
million deal, said Tuesday that the new Nokia XR20 will be the most durable
phone its ever created.
“Built to survive anything life can throw at you, the Nokia
XR20 can withstand much more than you’ll ever demand of it,” the Espoo,
Finland-based firm said in a statement.
The tough XR20 phone comes with a 6.67-inch Gorilla Glass
Victus display and can resist damage from scratches and drops from as high up
as about 6 feet, according to the company.
“With an ultra-solid case and the toughest display glass we
could find, it’s scratch-resistant, drop-resistant, temperature-resistant,
water-resistant and kid-and-pet-resistant,” the company’s promotional material
says.
The advertising for the XR20 taps into the popularity of the
Nokia brand, which has become known for the strength and durability of its
phones from years ago.
The reputed invincibility of older Nokia phones often been
the target of viral memes that circulate on the internet.
In a marketing video for the new phone, HMD shows a woman
spilling coffee on the device and then rinsing it in the sink.
A girl then accidentally drops the phone, picks it up and
drops it again on a stony path — only to show the screen largely unscathed.
Florian Seiche, HMD’s CEO, said the company is leaning into
people’s desire for phones that last longer.
“We are tapping into consumer pain points around durability
and longevity,” he said in a statement. “At HMD, we are empowering people to
avoid early device replacement and encouraging a more sustainable consumption
through our longevity promises.”
On top of its toughness, the XR20 comes with ultra-fast 5G
internet capabilities and has a 48-megapixel and 13-megapixel dual-lens main
camera. It’s available in black and blue.
The device starts at $549.99 in the US and will begin
shipping on August 24.
The company also on Tuesday unveiled a revived version of
its 6310 phone, which was introduced in 2001, and the Nokia C30, which comes
with the “largest screen and battery yet.”
HMD also released four different ranges of Nokia earphones
on Tuesday.
The launch of the new devices marks HMD’s latest effort to
strengthen its position in the smartphone market.
HMD, which is backed by tech heavyweights Google, Qualcomm
and Nokia, has been selling modern takes on retro Nokia appliances and
smartphones at prices that vary from low to mid range.
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