Nokia announced 4 mobile goodies – 5000, 2680, 7070, 1680

Nokia has released 4 new mobile phones geared towards the less tech and feature savvy mobile phone users. To be released specifically for the South African mobile consumers, all four Nokia mobile phones are dual band GSM and have US and European versions, run on series 40 software and most importantly, all four are priced in the range $50-70. Nokia said that the company is aiming to capture the growing demand of South African mobile market for highly functional and full featured mobile phones without the need to spend too much. And these four mobile phones may actually answer those needs. Hopefully, Nokia would make these mobile phones available in other countries as well. The Asian and Pacific mobile phone users would definitely like these four mobile phones.

The first of these budget phone models from Nokia is the 1680 Classic which Nokia is touting as the most affordable phone it has ever released so far. The Nokia 1680 pretty much has all the basic phone features that you could possible get from a low-cost mobile phone. Basic text and call features plus some customization. To put some added value into the phone, Nokia even threw in a VGA camera that can take photo snapshot and short videos. Unfortunately thought, the phone doesn’t have a memory card slot so users will have to mind the number of shots they have taken or else find themselves having no extra memory to run the mobile phone’s OS anymore. The phone also has a sharing feature and email support. Slate to be released sometime in the second quarter of 2008 in the South African mobile market, the Nokia 1680 Classic has an SRP of $79.

Perhaps answering the need for a not so traditional mobile phone model, Nokia is also coming out with a slider phone that belongs in the low-budget category – the Nokia 2680. A robust slider phone released as an entry level model, the Nokia 2680 is touted of easy to use features. The Nokia 2680 also aims to be an entertainment phone with the inclusion of an FM radio with recording capability and support for mp3 ringtones. Plus of course other basic mobile phone features that include an expanded phone book memory. The Nokia 2680 also packs of an integrated VGD digital camera. Slated for release in the third quarter of 2008, the 2680 has an SRP of around $142.

After two low-end phones with an impressive features. Nokia will also introduce this time not only a full featured phone, but also with some high-end features as well. The Nokia 5000 is another candy bar phone with a 1.3 megapixel camera and a high resolution QVGA display. For entertainment purposes, it has an FM radio with recording functionality and support for mp3 ringtones plus other basic call and text features of the other budget phone models. But while the Nokia 5000 may seem just your ordinary everyday mobile phone, it actually is not after all. The Nokia 5000 also supports email, Nokia Xpress Audio Messaging, Bluetooth and GPRS connectivity and you will get all those features for a measly sum of around $142. The Nokia 5000 will be available for the South African market sometime in second quarter 2008.

Capping the list of the four Nokia budget phones is the Nokia 7070, which is also nicknamed the Prism. Sporting geometric pattern designs and external light effects, the Prism is targeted for users who express their personality through their mobile phones. The Nokia 7070 offers full customization through content, themes and wallpapers and mp3 ringtones. It has voice a voice recorder and integrated hands-free speakers for ease of use when doing something else and even when driving and answering calls at the same time. In terms of style and design, the Nokia 7070 moved away with the traditional design and came up with a uniquely design flip phone. Looking at the pictures, you wouldn’t think that the 7070 is actually a budget phone because it emits a certain class and style into its design.

Although, these four mobile phones would have their US and European versions, Nokia hasn’t announced yet as to when they will be available in both mainstream markets. In the meantime, if you happen to be in the South African areas during their release period, you might want to take any or four of those models for a spin. $70-90 dollars is not too much to spend for some full-featured mobile phones.