switch-hitter | # 41 | 2012-06-08, 08:40 | Report

I recently bought an Android ICS tablet from Yinlips, GPS was an optional extra and the additional charge for including it was only USD 9 and that obviously includes their margin.

If NOKIA have compromised an otherwise excellent budget device for such a small sum of money then that sounds like a cost saving too far to me.

Given NOKIA's apparent determination to self-destruct though I guess it's not beyond them to do something that daft.

Bernard | # 42 | 2012-06-08, 08:53 | Report

Actually that is a lot of money for phones in the price range of 60-120 euros. Also it doesn't give the total cost. On the hardware side Nokia would also need to make sure the battery is big enough for reasonable gps usage, and it also needs software. Navigation software isn't trivial and isn't cheap.

switch-hitter | # 43 | 2012-06-08, 09:42 | Report

It's not a lot of money whichever end of the telescope you're looking down.

The 311 has the same battery as the 500 which does have GPS so I can't see that's a genuine issue here either.

As for the software don't NOKIA own that already?

Bernard | # 44 | 2012-06-08, 10:10 | Report

The 311 does have better talk and standby times with the same battery.
Also the fact that nokia owns the software doesn't make it cheap.
The 311 is a lot lower cost device than the 500. Nokia 500 starting price was in the 170-180 euro range. Asha is 130 euro range. Big difference.

switch-hitter | # 45 | 2012-06-08, 11:00 | Report

So we're agreed the battery isn't an issue?


If you've already invested in it and it's not cheap then you really need to find a way to profit from it don't you?

And don't bother with the cannibalising sales of other more expensive devices in their own range argument, that's only valid if their other devices are actually selling.

NOKIA desperately need a big hit right now.


So the 311 goes up very slightly by about EUR 7 but it's MUCH more desirable - sounds like a plan to me.

thedead1440 | # 46 | 2012-06-08, 11:16 | Report

7Euros is a big amount for the target market where Asha will sell (emerging markets). For example, India, Pakistan etc where Asha (hope in Hindi, the national language of India) is going to sell 7euros is more than 500 indian rupees, a comparatively large amount.

Edit: with a 500rs gap you're enroaching into cheap androids which have more advantages. the reason nokia still moves in these markets is due to its past reputation, build quality, amazing battery life and reliability/durability of the phone.
also in countries like India and Pakistan those who will buy these phones intend it for their children or rough and tough use. if they need directions, the numerous people you can find at all places are much better help than taking 5mins to type, search and get the GPS signal. Don't forget in these markets you have frequent diversions, constructions etc. whereby the navigation feature is rendered inefficient.

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Last edited by thedead1440; 2012-06-08 at 11:25.

switch-hitter | # 47 | 2012-06-08, 11:45 | Report

Look at the availability page for the 311, NOKIA are planning on selling it right across Europe (although not the UK it seems) where EUR 7 is peanuts but where GPS on a budget device will be a big selling point.

311 Availability

Do NOKIA want to stuff it to budget Androids or not?

thedead1440 | # 48 | 2012-06-08, 11:58 | Report

i agree with you however look at the bigger picture, majority of sales will come from emerging markets, Europe while a wide market won't have huge sales. Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Thailand will surely provide with more than whole of Europe combined. Like i mentioned earlier the branding of the device to Asha shows the true intention of the series. It would most probably sell as prepaid devices in Europe for people to use and discard but in emerging markets it will become people's primary device that they expect to last for quite some time.

on the other hand, they could have made a 312 with GPS...

don_falcone | # 49 | 2012-06-08, 12:12 | Report

...which would bring them where they were during the last years: a myriad of relatively similar devices where choice is not easy.

thedead1440 | # 50 | 2012-06-08, 12:19 | Report

then if you've to choose one for markets where price is king, 311 without gps is the way to go.
the whole thing of hitting androids in Europe is quite suspect. i mean how do you expect Nokia to do so? this is the main reason they are falling behind...Android in Europe is cheap, established and now build qualities are increasing. Furthermore, small price differences in Europe, like the above-mentioned 7Euros don't make much of a difference whereas they decide the fate of a model in emerging markets.
Nokia has to hope and pray that WP in developed markets hits off with WP8 and Asha etc. do well in emerging markets otherwise its quite bleak.