VIDEO: Nokia 1280 – Back To Basics With Entry Level Handset

Whilst facing a tumultuous time in smart phone waters, the Finnish manufacturer has gone back to their heartland with the new Nokia 1280 – reliable and sturdy entry level phones.

Whilst Western Europe and the US fawn over the latest touch driven 12-megapixel packing powerhouse, the rest of the planet seems to be happy with an FM radio and a phone that can survive a tumble.

This compact and durable handset is firmly aimed at the developing market, so instead of a camera and social networking the Nokia 1280 has a dust resistant keypad and colourful, scratch proof replaceable covers (our cries to bring back the Xpress-On cover must have been heard!).

A dual-band device with monochrome display, the Nokia 1280 packs the essentials with a phonebook, calendar, FM radio, Sudoku (a must in the Serengeti plains) and a whopping 22 days battery life.

The most exciting fact is that this is one of Nokia’s cheapest handsets to date, costing a mere €20 (£17).

The Nokia 1280 is earmarked for a global release in early 2010, and is pre-loaded with Life Tools – an SMS-based Nokia service that offers news and essential information to those out of range of the internet – in selected markets.

The video shows that decent form and function are equally available in a basic mobile phone like the Nokia 1280.

Tags: 1280, entry level phones, mobile phones, Nokia, nokia 1280