Microsoft Reveals Non-Nokia Lumia Smartphone

The newest Lumia smartphone, set to be released by Microsoft next Tuesday, will be the first without the Nokia brand name. Instead, leaked images of the new device show the Microsoft name and logo stamped prominently on the back of the orange handset.

The Nokia-to-Microsoft transition has been expected since Microsoft completed its acquisition of the Nokia Devices and Servicesbusiness  in April. Several Nokia smartphone apps -- including Creative Studio, Panorama, Storyteller and Cinemagraph -- have also recently been rebranded with the Lumia name.

A blog post on the Nokia Microsoft Conversations site today offered few details about the new phone. Other than providing a closeup image of part of the phone, the post only identified the November 11 release date and the #MoreLumia hashtag under a headline describing the device as "delivering the power of everyday mobile  technology to everyone."

Another Device for the Budget-Conscious?

Such a description suggests the new Lumia will target budget-conscious, rather than high-end smartphone customers. That prospect prompted a number of comments on the Nokia site, Twitter and elsewhere questioning Microsoft's Lumia strategy.

"(E)nough low end already!" one commenter said on Twitter. Another comment on the Nokia Microsoft Conversations blog noted, "There is a dearth of mid-range and high-end Lumia handsets. I think that Microsoft should release 2 or 3 handsets in all price ranges. There are ZERO new handsets to compete with iPhone6 and 6Plus!! What's the problem?"

Other leaked details suggest the new device will feature a 5-inch screen and 3G connectivity with a 1.25 GHz processor , 1GB of RA and 8GB of storage .

Although Microsoft now owns the Lumia brand name, it was only allowed to continue using the Nokia name on smartphones for 18 months after closing the Nokia deal. However, it can continue using the Nokia brand on lower-end feature (i.e., not smartphones) phones for 10 years.

Nokia: Back to Mobile in 2016?

Microsoft began its partnership with Nokia in early 2011. It announced its acquisition of Nokia's Devices and Services business in September 2013.

The approximately $7.2 billion deal included about $2 billion for licensing Nokia's patents. Under the terms of the agreement, the operations to be transferred to Microsoft are valued at around $18 billion, which amounted to almost half of Nokia's net sales in 2012.

The Finnish company continues to own the Nokia brand name, and will be able to begin using it again for its own mobile devices starting in 2016. In the meantime, Nokia plans to focus on its remaining business arms, including its networking and telecommunications equipment subsidiary, its Here location-based services and its patent licensing business.