Forked Android Based Nokia X Selling Very Well In India

Nokia’s first Android smartphone, the Nokia X which was launched last month is selling very well in India. It is already being listed as one of theÂ best-selling and popular smartphonesÂ in all the leading online stores such as Flipkart and Snapdeal. Similar is the case with offline retail stores in the country. Priced at around INR 7,000 in India,Â theÂ Nokia XÂ runs a custom version of Android, usually referred to as â€˜forked Android’ on top of entry-level hardware.

To remind you, the Nokia X is equipped with a 4 inch IPS LCD screen, 1 GHz dual-core processor, 512 MB of RAM, 3 MP camera and dual SIM card slots. Nokia X replaces all the Google services with Microsoft versions such as HERE Maps, Outlook, OneDrive and Bing Search. There is Nokia’s own Android app store but it only lists free applications and games. Other third-party app stores like 1Mobile Market, Yandex or Amazon App Store can be installed to get paid applications and games.Â You can also root the Nokia XÂ and install stock Android custom ROM along with Google Play Store if you want.

Nokia X With Forked Android

The reason for its success is the lack of proper competition from international brands in its price range except Samsung. Sony’s Xperia E1 also offers similar specifications but is priced higher in comparison. On the other hand, HTC is yet to launch any new Android device in that price range which is currently crowded with Android smartphone offerings from local Indian or Chinese brands such as Micromax, Xolo, Karbonn, Gionee and Lava. Smartphone buyers in India are brand conscious and would prefer smartphones from known international brands like Nokia instead of that from Indian or Chinese brands. This is solely due to better brand value, quality hardware and better after sales support which international brands provide. But after Microsoft’s acquisition, the future of Nokia X series of Android smartphones in uncertain.