Nokia introduces N1 Android tablet, will go on sale in Q1’15 for $249

Microsoft might have acquired Nokia’s smartphone division, but the remaining company isn’t ready to quit the devices market. The company on Tuesday introduced its first Android tablet in the form of Nokia N1.

Featuring one-piece aluminum body with a satin finish, the tablet sports a 7.9-inch 2048x1536p IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3 and is powered by 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom Z3580 quad-core processor. The Nokia N1 tablet also comes with 2GB of RAM, 32GB of on-board storage, 5300 mAh battery and Android 5.0 with Z launcher.

In addition, Nokia has included 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, stereo speakers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 on the tablet. This is not all, Nokia N1 is also becoming one of the first devices to include reversible USB Type-C connector, which means you can plug the connector without worrying about the orientation of plug or the direction of cable.

“We are pleased to bring the Nokia brand back into consumers’ hands with the N1 Android tablet, and to help make sophisticated technologies simple. The N1 has a delightfully intuitive interface and an industrial design to match it. This is a great product for Nokia fans and everyone who has not found the right Android tablet yet,” said Sebastian Nyström, Head of Products at Nokia Technologies.

It is important to note here that Nokia has actually played little role in the N1 tablet and is licesing the industrial design, Z Launcher and IP on a running royalty basis to the OEM partner Foxconn, which is responsible for full business execution, from engineering and sales to customer care for the tablet.

Pricing and availability

Nokia has stated that the tablet will go on sale in China first around Chinese New Year (Feb 19, 2015) with a price-tag of $249 (plus taxes), followed by Russia and select European markets. There is no word on the India launch. On the colour-front, N1 will be released in “Natural Aluminum” and “Lava Grey.”