China has finally welcomed its own special Windows Phone – the Nokia Lumia 800C CDMA. This will apparently mark the first CDMA Windows Phone handset to begin shipping in the country. The company has customized the handset for use in the region, by embellishing it with some specific apps and software options.
Unveiled with China Telecom as its network carrier, the device received a pretty grand welcome in the nation with a ceremony at the Yongdingmen Gate in Beijing. Operating on the 3G network, users will be able to access internet services including Sina, Tencent, SOHU, Renren and more. Apart from this announcement, the Finland based manufacturer also declared that a Lumia 610C will be made available for China in Q2 2012.
“We’re excited to introduce our first Lumia smartphone, the Nokia 800C, to this important market with our exclusive launch partner, China Telecom. Working closely together, we’ve created a compelling, locally relevant experience on the Nokia 800C especially tailored for people in China,” said Stephen Elop, CEO, Nokia.
The smartphone comes pre-loaded with applications like Nokia Drive, Nokia Maps, and Nokia Music, which have been optimized for the Windows Phone platform. Music will offer unlimited free music for twelve months in mainland China. It will also give access to MixRadio, a free global service that comprises numerous channels for local as well as international music. In terms of the specs, most of the features on the original list will remain the same.
The Nokia Lumia 800C CDMA price tag for China reads 3599 RMB. Although the precise release date is not known yet, it is expected to be made available commercially by early April.