Nokia's future depends on the success of Windows Phone. It offers a Lumia in every price range and it's now getting ready to launch the first Windows Phone phablet.
Nokia's exclusive relationship with Microsoft brings many perks. Microsoft gives Nokia extensive access to the Windows Phone OS, more than any of its other licensees enjoy, allowing the company to offer exclusive apps and some customizations. Microsoft is planning on releasing the GDR3 Windows Phone update, which will add some new features such as an additional row of Live Tiles on the Start screen, orientation lock, a Driving mode option, some UI changes and, most importantly, support for 1080p displays.
The Verge is reporting that it learned from its sources that Nokia is currently testing the GDR3 update on the first Windows Phone phablet. According to the site, Nokia is testing a 6-inch smartphone that is going by the codename 'Bandit'. The smartphone will include a full HD 1080P display, which will allow Nokia to compete with upcoming phablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, HTC One Max, and Sony Xperia ZU. The phablet will also include another first for Windows Phone: the Nokia Bandit is reportedly using a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, which will also help the device compete with the upcoming Android phablets.
The phablet will have Nokia's signature polycarbonate case and is said to be very thin and lightweight. The device will reportedly ship with at least a 20-megapixel rear camera and will have a slight hump on the rear of the device in order to fit the camera in its thin shell. The Bandit is also believed to be in testing at AT&T currently, and see a release before the end of the year.
The site's sources have also said that Nokia is planning on launching the Lumia 925 on more carriers in the U.S., and will eventually replace the aging Lumia 920 with the Lumia 925. If true, it sounds like AT&T will be getting the Lumia 925 in the near future as well. For now, T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier offering the handset.
Nokia is rumored to be holding an event at the end of September, so we could hear about these new developments soon enough.
