Nokia XL puts Nokia's Android on a 5-inch phone
We've waited so long for a Nokia phone based on Android and now several have come along at once.
This is the Nokia XL.
Let's investigate.
As the name implies, the XL is larger than Nokia's X phone.
It has a 5-inch display, and around the back, there's a 5-megapixel camera as well.
On the front, meanwhile, is a 2-megapixel camera for Skype or taking the odd selfie.
And the whole design of
this phone is extremely reminiscent of Nokia's Lumia line, including the external design and the look of the actual software.
So, this is Android but not as we know it.
Nokia has heavily customized Google's operating system to make the XL.
So, let's see what you can do.
This is your home screen where all your apps are, unlike raw Android, there's no specific app tray.
So, to see all of the apps you've got, you have to keep scrolling down here.
If you move over to the right, you get what Nokia
calls Fastlane which shows you recent apps that you've used and notifications.
If you're not happy with the way your home screen looks, you can rearrange these icons like this.
Just hold down on one of the tiles and you get the option to resize them and change whereabouts they are on the screen.
So, the big advantage of Android is it has loads and loads of apps, but unfortunately, the XL won't grant you access to Google's Play Store.
Instead, you'll have to use Nokia's own app store and third party ones as well.
And there's a question of
whether they'll have enough to really tempt people.
The really good news, though, is that thing is not gonna be too expensive.
It's only gonna cost 109 euros when it goes on sale in the next few months.
So, we're not completely convinced yet by Nokia's take on Android, but we are pleased with that low cost and it could mean that this phone is really good value.
Wait for the full review.
I'm Luke Westaway for CNET at Mobile World Congress.
Check out CNET.com for much more.
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