Why would Microsoft launch an Android-based Lumia?

If this is true it is definitely a shocker. Evleaks, which is notorious for leaking out upcoming phone specs has just tweeted a new leak and it says, 'Big news: Android-powered Lumia incoming, from Nokia by Microsoft'.

It is indeed big news as, if true, the decision could mean Microsoft switching gears and throwing up a competition to its own Windows Mobile platform.

Nokia first launched the X series and with a forked Android version at the MWC in Barcelona with three models the Nokia X, Nokia X+ and Nokia XL.

Both the Nokia X and Luma 520 are 4 inch devices with 3MP and 5MP cameras and have similar hardware with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor and a Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU. The Nokia X is priced at Dh439 while the Lumia 520 costs Dh559.

The Nokia XL is a 5 inch device with a 5MP camera and an almost similar processor and CPU as the Nokia X. The device is priced at Dh589. The Lumia 620 which is priced almost similar at Dh599 has a 4.5 inch display, 5MP camera but a much higher hardware with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU.

While the Lumia 520 was the most sold among the Lumia models last year the introduction of the X series has made a difference in terms of sales.

“Currently all the X models are sort of basic models, but is doing pretty well in terms of sales,” said a sales staff at Nokia store in Abu Dhabi. “But the Lumia devices are much more high end and more efficient,” he said, while adding that there is no way Microsoft could introduce the forked Android version into the Lumia series. “That would be a disaster for the Lumia brand,” he said.

The success of the X series forced Microsoft to last month come out with yet another model - the Nokia X2.

The X2 is a dual-SIM device with a 4.3-inch display, a 5MP camera with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor and dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and 1GB RAM. A high-end Lumia 930 on the other hand comes with a 5-inch full HD screen, 20MP camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad-core 2.2-GHz processor and priced at Dh2,199.

A Lumia device with a forked Android could only mean introducing high-end features into the category which Microsoft could have still achieved by intruding them under the X Brand.

The sentiment expressed by the Nokia storekeeper was exactly the same as what was reflected during the recent official launch of two new Lumia models.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of two new Nokia Lumia models, the Lumia 630 and the flagship Lumia 930 in the Middle East, key officials told Emirates 24|7 that Microsoft would continue to dedicate Windows to all Lumia models, while the forked Android version would roll out with the X series. But again, two years ago no one ever imagined that Nokia would even think of an Android version.

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