Nokia Plans “Mid-range” Touchscreen Handsets

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
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About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (240)

Okay, so we all know a little bit about the Nokia Tube. Their first touchscreen device, going up against Apple’s iPhone, or are they? In a statement from Nokia’s head honcho of devices, Kai Oistamo, they will be launching a series of touchscreen handsets in the second half of the year.

However these will be aimed at the ‘volume’ market, as opposed to the luxury sector which is currently sewn up by the pricey iPhone 3G (for now). Oistamo feels that this mid-range market could account for around half of the touchphone industry.

What does this mean? That Nokia are playing the numbers, flooding the market with plenty of quality cheap handsets and subsequently cleaning up. It’s all well and good selling a few million, but when Nokia move in excess of 120 million handsets a quarter, then the mass market approach is far more sensible, and profitable.

It worked as the ubiquity of the N95 8GB drove down prices, and they are looking to do so again with the unbelievably well-specced, aggressively priced 6220 Classic. Everyone has an iPhone, but what if everyone has a Nokia Tube?