Nokia is tapping a trend for larger smartphone screens with its latest model, the Lumia 625, however the device is launching into a market analysts believe has peaked.
The Lumia 625 features a 4.7-inch display, which on the face of it pitches in direct competition with high-end devices including Samsung’s Galaxy S4 and HTC’s One. However, Nokia has set a price of €220 before tax on its new model, compared to costs of over €400 for the Samsung and HTC devices, according to prices sourced on Amazon.
Jo Harlow, executive vice president of Nokia Smart Devices, says the new model features the vendor’s largest ever screen, and highlights how the firm “is delivering leading smartphone innovation and experiences at every price point.”
IHS Electronics & Media mobile analyst, Daniel Gleeson, says the device is tapping a trend for larger smartphone displays across all price points, noting the proportion of smartphones sold with screens of 4.6-inches or larger grew from 4.8% in 1Q12 to 32.7% in 1Q13.
“Large screens have been an indicator of a premium product, but that is clearly ending with such affordable, large screen smartphones on the market,” Gleeson comments, adding. “Instead of screen size, screen quality will be the key display differentiator from now.”
While Nokia is creating clear differentiation between its smartphones – contrast the Lumia 625’s feature list with the 1020 announced a fortnight ago -, it is launching into a market analysts say has reached its peak the Telegraph reports.