Nokia launches Lumia 900

Jan Dawson Ovum’s chief telecom’s analyst

UK: The Lumia 900 represents Nokia's first serious step into the US with its Windows Phone line. While the Lumia 710 was announced earlier and launches this week, it represents a low-end offering and isn't the best advertisement for Windows Phone on Nokia.

While a capable device, it lacks some of the features that will set Nokia apart in the Windows Phone space, but the Lumia 900 rectifies that. It offers a large and high quality screen, LTE connectivity, a front-facing camera and a number of other features not seen either on T-Mobile's 710 or on the Lumia 800, which has already launched in Europe.

This device signals several things: firstly, that Nokia is serious about the US, launching arguably the flagship Lumia device in the US before the rest of the world; secondly, that Nokia has the clout with Windows Phone to allow it to be first to market with an LTE device; and thirdly, that AT&T is now seriously into the business of offering LTE phones.

The device will get significant marketing support from Nokia and AT&T, and therefore, has the best opportunity of any Windows Phone launched to date to do well in the market. However, that's not to say it will be a blockbuster: the exact timing and pricing will be major factors too, and those have not been announced yet.