Spark brings Nokia cellphones back to NZ
- 03 October, 2017 10:16
Nokia branded mobile phones have re-appeared in New Zealand via Spark. The company and its retail channel partners will be the exclusive retailers of the Android based Nokia 8, Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6, starting this week.
The move was announced by Finnish company HMD Global, which now manufactures Nokia branded phones.
Nokia sold its mobile phone business to Microsoft in 2014, which subsequently dropped the Nokia branding from smartphones but retained it for feature phones. Then in late 2016 Microsoft sold its mobile phone business to HMD. The company announced its first Nokia branded Android phone, the Nokia 6 in January 2017.
HMD Global’s country manager for New Zealand, Mark Trundle, said the introduction of the phones would enable consumers to purchase a premium smartphone at an affordable price. “Nokia boasts an extensive history and sterling reputation as a brand that delivers quality, superior craftsmanship and relentless focus on the consumer experience. We have designed the new smartphones with these promises in mind.”
According to HMD its flagship model, the Nokia 8, brings three world-firsts to Android smartphones, including a debut collaboration with Zeiss optics and “the most advanced aluminium unibody design to date.
It also introduces a claimed world-first that enables dual-sight video to be livestreamed natively and in real-time to social feeds such as Facebook and YouTube.
“Dual-Sight simultaneously harnesses both the front and rear cameras in a split screen visual for both photos and videos. With just one touch, this world-first livestream capability gives more immersive experiences for those who love to create and share special memories,” HMD said.
It adds that Nokia 8 is also the first smartphone to feature Nokia OZO Audio, “bringing a fully immersive audio experience to your 4K video.”
The Nokia 8 will retail for $999, the Nokia 6 for $399, the Nokia 5 for $349 and the Nokia 3 $249. The Nokia 8 will be available from 3 October, the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 on 6 October and the Nokia 6 later in October.