Nokia to launch low end Windows smartphone?

New strategy could help gain market share against competition.

Last year, Nokia revealed its Windows Phone-powered Lumia series of devices, choosing to ditch its Symbian OS in a joint attempt with Microsoft to become relevant in the thriving smartphone market.

Now, with the high end Lumia devices on the market, Nokia plans to reveal a new cheap Windows smartphone at MWC, according to Reuters, which cited sources close to the company.

Releasing cheap Windows-based smartphones would allow the firm to appeal to emerging markets and low end users, while still gaining market share, should the devices sell well.

Of course, there's every opportunity the move could work. Low end phone makers Huawei and ZTE have secured a strong user base, which helped ZTE gain the second fastest growing market share in Q4 behind Apple.

Additionally, the report highlights Microsoft's share of the smartphone market fell to just two per cent in Q4.