We might be one step nearer to understanding what the rumored Android-powered Nokia Normandy phone is. Because of the relatively reliable @evleaks, the Normandy hardware shares many components with Nokia’s Lumia 520, a minimal-cost Home windows Phone that’s showing to become popular for Microsoft’s platform. When the leaked specifications are correct, Normandy could be easily listed within the $50 to $99 range, otherwise even lower.

The twin-SIM support and comparatively meager hardware further support my believed that the Normandy will supplant Nokia’s Asha type of entry-level mobile phones. Many are questioning if Microsoft allows Nokia to produce an Android-based device — Microsoft is going to close on the $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia’s products business — however i think Microsoft wants this phone released.

Why? The Asha type of mobile phone models meets a particular need — the reduced-finish market where there's room for sales growth, however it lacks in another: Support for Microsoft applications and services. By utilizing Android because the base for Normandy, Microsoft can take advantage of their software designed for Android to obtain first-time smartphone proprietors using Microsoft applications and services. When these individuals will be ready to step up to and including more capable device, they are able to migrate to some Lumia phone running Home windows Phone.

I really possess a Lumia 520 I selected one up for $40 unlocked and without contract. It lacks a 4G radio but Home windows Phone itself runs very well around the device. Actually, the woking platform has always carried out good on lesser hardware, that has some wondering why Microsoft would even need Android within the Normandy.

My suspicion is the fact that Home windows Phone is going to be “scaling up” a little later this season and can require more capable hardware for any good experience. In the April Build event, I be prepared to learn more particulars about this as Home windows Phone, Home windows RT and Home windows 8.1 gain in commonality in code and APIs, needing more horsepower inside a phone. In the event that happens, the Normandy running on Android using these specifications will work better.

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