Why Nokia Cannot Win Smartphone Game?Nokia makes mobile phones. In fact, that’s all the company does and sells – if you ignore Nokia Booklet 3G for a minute. It also holds the enviable crown of being world’s biggest mobile phone maker. But the mobile champion isn’t doing too impressive of a job in smartphones. Why? Nokia gave the world its first handheld mobile phone, Mobira Cityman, way back in 1987. It was in 2002 when the Finnish company introduced Nokia 6650, its first 3G mobile phone. Nokia sold its billionth mobile handset in 2005. It has retained the mobile world-leader title since 1998 and that’s a notable accomplishment. With the markets warming up to the idea of smartphones, how long can Nokia hold on to its leadership position?
Pundits would tell you that focus is the key to winning any game. But is Nokia focused on the right strategy, right direction? Why its phones cannot even come close to rivals BlackBerry and iPhone in popularity? Remember, these devices did not even exist when Nokia was awarded the top mobile seller trophy – BlackBerry smartphone was launched in 2002 and Apple iPhone came to life only in 2007. In such a short span, these newcomers have built up an intimidating challenge for the classic giant. Nokia Mobiles Lack Radiance While iPhone and BlackBerry have become a style statement today, Nokia mobile phones lack that sex appeal. Nokia has tried everything from bar phones, slider phones, to touch screens. From music phones to camera phones. Slim models to oversized versions portrayed as laptop killers. But it has not managed to bring out a single handset that would get the consumers go weak in knees. Nokia needs to pump that aura into its mobile phones. Nokia Mobiles Designed To Kill or Die? Apple iPhone and BlackBerry wear the killer looks and offer killer features. While Nokia does pack The button look of Nokia 7705 Twist is anything but impressive. The phone seems to be designed for kids not the demanding youths. On the other hand, supposedly iconic Nokia N97 was so oversized that the company came out of its mini version Nokia N97 Mini soon after releasing the original. Why on earth would it design a phone that needs immediate corner cutting? Instead of rushing to launch a phone every week, Nokia needs to slowdown, get its engineering act and creative minds locked in labs, and design a phone that speaks for itself. With the seen-that and nothing-new designs, Nokia smartphones aren’t going to go anywhere. (Compare & Buy Nokia Mobiles in India) The Symbian Effect The marriage with Symbian mobile operating system may also prove costly for Nokia. While other mobile phone makers either have their own operating system or are adopting the hot and happening Google Android and familiar Windows Mobile operating system, Nokia continues to stick to Symbian. While Symbian may be the greatest mobile operating system on earth, it doesn’t seem to be helping Nokia much in its smartphone fight. Nokia sure can turn around and launch a slew of mobile phones but can they really deter the rise of iPhone and BlackBerry? If not overtake, at least Nokia needs to bridge the gap – and that it can if it focuses on understanding its consumers little more. Related Posts
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