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When Nokia unveiled its first Windows phones, the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710, it was one of the most closely watched moments in the history of the mobile industry. The Finnish company had dominated global phone sales for years, but the arrival of the iPhone and Android had changed the market. This article adds context to the original news report: why Nokia chose Microsoft, what made the Lumia design and Windows Phone interface distinctive, how the market responded, and what lessons the story offers, followed by an FAQ and a conclusion.
The Original Launch Report
Nokia Before the Lumia Era
For much of the late 1990s and 2000s, Nokia was the best-known mobile phone brand in the world. Its handsets were praised for durability, long battery life and simple menus, and models from that period are still remembered with affection by many users. The company also built one of the most popular smartphone platforms of its time, Symbian, which powered a large share of early smartphones, especially outside North America.
The situation changed after 2007, when Apple introduced the iPhone with a large touch screen and a focus on apps, and Google soon followed with Android, which many manufacturers adopted. Symbian, designed for an earlier generation of devices, struggled to offer the same smooth touch experience and to attract developers. Nokia experimented with other software projects, including MeeGo, but it was losing ground in the premium smartphone segment.
The Burning Platform Memo
Stephen Elop, who came to Nokia from Microsoft, became chief executive in 2010. Early in 2011 an internal memo he wrote became public and was widely discussed. In it he compared Nokia to a person standing on a burning oil platform who must decide whether to jump into icy water. The message was clear: the company needed a dramatic change of direction. Shortly afterwards Nokia announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft, making Windows Phone its main smartphone platform.
Why Microsoft and Not Android?
Many observers asked why Nokia did not simply adopt Android like Samsung, HTC and others. Nokia's leadership argued that joining Android would make it one of many manufacturers competing mainly on hardware and price, with little ability to stand out. Partnering with Microsoft offered a chance to shape a platform, receive significant support, integrate Nokia services such as maps, and become the leading Windows Phone maker. Critics replied that Windows Phone had a small share of the market and a limited app catalogue, which would make the challenge very difficult.
The Strengths of Windows Phone
- Live Tiles: the home screen used large, colorful tiles that updated in real time with messages, weather, news and social media updates.
- Clean typography: the design language, then known as Metro, emphasised bold text and simple layouts rather than imitating real-world objects.
- Hubs: content was grouped into hubs such as People, Pictures and Music, combining information from several services.
- Integration with Microsoft services: including Office documents, Xbox features and cloud storage.
The Weaknesses
- A much smaller selection of apps than iOS and Android, with some popular apps arriving late or never.
- Limited customisation compared with Android.
- Low awareness among consumers who had already chosen another ecosystem.
The Design of the Lumia Phones
The Lumia 800 drew heavily on the design of the Nokia N9, a MeeGo phone released earlier the same year. Its body was carved from a single piece of colored polycarbonate, and its curved glass display blended smoothly into the frame. The result looked different from the glossy black slabs that dominated the market, and many reviewers praised its build quality and bright color options. The Lumia 710 was aimed at a lower price point, with a simpler body and interchangeable back covers.
Nokia also added its own software features. Nokia Drive offered free turn-by-turn navigation, which was a meaningful selling point at a time when navigation apps often required payment. Nokia Music provided streaming mixes, and the company promised further exclusive apps to differentiate its devices from other Windows Phone makers.
How the Market Responded
Early reviews were generally positive about the hardware and the elegance of the interface, while noting the app gap and certain limitations of the first-generation software. Analysts quoted at the time were cautious, describing the phones as a promising start rather than a threat to the iPhone. Nokia launched an extensive marketing campaign in Europe and later in other regions, and it followed the first models with a series of Lumia devices across different price ranges, including phones known for advanced camera technology.
What Happened Next
Despite these efforts, Windows Phone never reached the scale of iOS or Android. In 2013 Microsoft announced that it would acquire Nokia's devices and services business, a deal completed the following year, and the Lumia line continued for a time under the Microsoft brand. Microsoft later shifted its strategy away from its own mobile operating system. The Nokia brand eventually returned to smartphones through a licensing arrangement with a new Finnish company that produced Android devices, while Nokia itself focused on network infrastructure and technology.
Lessons From the Nokia and Microsoft Story
Business schools and technology writers often use this episode as a case study. One frequently discussed lesson is the power of ecosystems: in the smartphone age, users choose not only a device but a whole environment of apps, services and accessories, and developers follow the users. Another lesson concerns timing. By the time the first Lumia arrived, iOS and Android had already built strong momentum, making it extremely hard for a third platform to catch up even with excellent hardware.
The story also shows that design innovation can have a lasting influence even when a product line does not succeed commercially. The flat, typography-focused style of Windows Phone is often mentioned as one of the influences on the wider move toward flatter interface design across the industry in the following years.
Why the Lumia Still Has Fans
Many former users remember Lumia phones fondly for their colorful bodies, strong cameras in later models and the calm, uncluttered interface. Collectors and enthusiasts still discuss them in online communities, and the devices are often cited as examples of bold industrial design from that era.
FAQ
What was the first Nokia Windows phone?
The first Nokia Windows phones were the Lumia 800 and the Lumia 710, presented together at an event in London, with the 800 positioned as the premium model.
Why did Nokia leave Symbian?
Nokia's leadership concluded that Symbian could not compete effectively with iOS and Android in the touch-screen and app era, so it chose Windows Phone as its main smartphone platform.
Does Windows Phone still exist?
No. Microsoft eventually ended development and support for its mobile operating system, and Windows Phone devices are no longer supported for most modern services.
Conclusion
The launch of the Lumia 800 and 710 marked Nokia's attempt to reinvent itself by joining forces with Microsoft. The phones were well designed and introduced a fresh interface, but they arrived in a market already shaped by Apple and Google. The episode remains a memorable chapter in mobile history and a valuable lesson about ecosystems, timing and the challenge of changing course in a fast-moving industry.
