Nokia Unveils the First Smartphones with Symbian Belle

Nokia has just taken the wraps off three new smartphones that will feature the company's next version of the Symbian OS, dubbed Belle.

The next edition of this operating system is going to offer new widgets, more customization options, new apps and a built-in NFC functionality. The upgraded platform will be available as a free update for users with phones running Symbian Anna and will be on new Symbian smartphones like the Nokia 600, 700 and 701. 

The Nokia 600, described as the music-lover’s dream by Nokia, will feature a built-in FM radio antenna and FM transmitter, allowing 60 hours of playback time. The handset is going to be powered by a 1GHz processor and sport a 5MP full focus camera with LED flash. Initially configured with 2GB of internal memory, the Nokia 600 will be expandable by 32GB with a microSD card. 

Nokia’s most compact smartphone in the Symbian range, the Nokia 700 will pack a 1GHz processor with 2GB of internal memory and the option of using a 32GB microSD card. The smartphone will have a 3.2-inch AMOLED screen display and a 5MP full focus camera with LED flash. 

With a 3.5-inch ClearBlack display, the Nokia 701 has been based on the Nokia C7 design. The device will feature a 1GHz processor, 8MP full focus camera with dual LED flash and a second front-facing camera. Equipped with 8GB of internal memory, users will be able to insert a 32GB microSD card for more space. 

While prices and availability for these phones were not mentioned, Nokia did say the Nokia 600 will be priced lower than the Nokia 700 and 701. Though none of these phones will make a U.S. debut, as the company’s U.S. subsidiary ceased all further sales of Symbian devices in the country to focus primarily on handsets running Windows Phone. 

Symbian will be Nokia’s operating system until the phone-maker can transition completely to Windows Phone. The update to Symbian Belle will allow users to resize and rearrange widgets to personalize profiles, as well as increase the maximum number of homescreens from three to six. The upgrade also brings a new navigation and options bar at the bottom of the screen, with a look similar to that first seen on the Nokia N9.