HMD Global is presently working on the Nokia 3.1, a new edition of its 2017 entry-level handset, according to a new browser log first spotted by German tech journalist Roland Quandt. The listing in question mentions Android 8.0 Oreo as being pre-installed on the device, with the handset possibly being set to launch as part of Google’s Android One program that the Finnish phone company already embraced at the latest iteration of Mobile World Congress, having announced a handful of such offerings during the Barcelona, Spain-based trade show.
While the international variant of the handset may simply be advertised as the Nokia 3 (2018), as is the case with the follow-up to the original Nokia 6, the “3.1” moniker may be indicative of a stateside launch, with HMD using that same naming scheme to differentiate between this year’s Nokia 6 (2018) variant meant to be sold internationally and the one designed for the United States which became available for purchase last week, priced at $269. The new Nokia 3 is likely to hover around the $100 mark, much like its predecessor, with HMD also being expected to launch both single-SIM and dual-SIM variants of the phone.
The Finnish firm responsible for the Nokia brand in the mobile segment recently profiled itself into one of the largest supporters of Google’s Android One initiative meant to showcase the capabilities of a stock Android experience, particularly in regards to timely updates. The company also entered the new Android Go segment with a budget-friendly Nokia 1, though its main focus is still placed on mid-range offerings. One such device is now expected to be announced in the form of the Nokia X6 later this month, though it remains to be seen whether that particular model ends up releasing outside of China in its original form or if HMD opts for a soft revamp like the one that happened between the debuts of the Nokia 7 and Nokia 7 Plus.