Finnish handset maker Nokia may be a late entrant in the dual-SIM handset category, but it plans to make up for it by launching an entire portfolio in the category in the next 6—9 months.

The company had forayed into the dual-SIM category in August last year with the launch of two handsets (C1 and C2).

“We want to develop products that meet the changing needs and aspirations of Indian consumers. We will introduce a range of dual-SIM handsets, which have something more to offer, in the next 6—9 months,” Mr Vipul Sabharwal, Director-Sales, Nokia India said here while launching two new dual—SIM devices.

He, however, declined to comment on the number of devices to be launched or their price points.

The Indian handset market, which was once dominated by the likes of Nokia, Samsung and LG, has seen homegrown brands such as Micromax, Spice, Karbonn and Zen giving tough competition to the global giants with feature-rich phones and ultra-low prices, especially dual-SIM devices.

Nokia’s new dual-SIM handsets — C2—00 and X1—01 — are priced at about Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000, respectively.

Both handsets offer Nokia’s Easy Swap function, which allows users to swap between SIM cards without having to take out the battery. The handsets would be manufactured at Nokia’s Chennai facility.

Nokia C2—00 has expandable memory up to 32 GB and allows users to browse the internet, while Nokia X1—01 offers up to 36 hours of continued music playback.

Users can save settings for up to five separate SIM cards on the handsets, Nokia said. The devices also come with services, including Nokia Life Tools.

Nokia also sells dual—SIM devices in other Asian countries as well as some African and Middle Eastern nations, Mr Sabharwal said.

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