Microsoft launches new Nokia phone for only £28: Here's all you need to know

In a surprise announcement, Microsoft on Tuesday (20 September) launched a new Nokia brand handset targeting the low-end segment. The phone would be available at a price of INR 2,495 (£28.7) for users in India starting 24 October, just before Diwali that falls on 30<sup>th of the same month.

This comes after Microsoft in May this year announced an agreement to sell its entry-level feature phone assets to FIH Mobile Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Foxconn technology group and HMD Global, Oy for $350 million.

However, the company had said it would continue to run its feature phone business until the transaction closes, which is expected in the second half of 2016.

During the announcement, Microsoft had said it would continue to develop Windows 10 Mobile and support for Lumia phones such as Lumia 650, 950 and 950 XL, and phones from hardware partners such as Acer, Alcatel, HP, Trinity and Vaio.

Crafted into a polycarbonate body, Microsoft's new budget phone dubbed Nokia 216 Dual SIM comes in three different colour variants; black, grey and blue. It runs on Nokia series 30+ operating system. Like other basic Nokia models, the phone also sports a 2.4in QVGA screen with resolution at 240 x 320 pixels.

The device has a 1020mAh battery, which Microsoft claims would offer up to 18 hours of talk time, with standby up to 19 days. The phone features one VGA camera each at the front and the back. It supports microSD card for additional storage up to 32GB.

Users can get apps and games from the Opera mobile store and download free Gameloft game every month for a year. As far as entertainment is concerned the Nokia 216 Dual SIM comes with an FM radio, MP3 and video player and Bluetooth audio support for headset. It can store as many as 2000 contacts. The LED flash of the rear camera doubles as a built-in torchlight.