Two Nokia smartphone prototypes that never made it to market have appeared on eBay. They are fully functional and the price starts at over $1500
Collectors, step up! Two Nokia smartphones that are more unique than rare have been put up for sale on eBay. These are two prototypes that have never been launched on the market and that testify how the Finnish company has worked in recent years to find an alternative to the partnership with Microsoft and Windows Phone, however, never find a solution. The two models offered for sale on eBay are called Nokia Ion Mini and Nokia Kataya and both have reached a price above $ 1500 (just over 1300 euros).
The Nokia Ion Mini, as you can guess from the name, is a smartphone with very small dimensions and based on Android. The Nokia Kataya, however, is much more interesting because it is based on an operating system never seen before. From the images posted on eBay seems to be an ancestor of Sailfish OS and derived from the Maemo-Meego-Meltemi project. The most interesting fact is that both devices are fully functional and allow to understand how Nokia had clear in mind how to face the challenge to Android and iOS. The "mortal" embrace with Microsoft and Windows Phone led Nokia smartphones to disappear from the market, at least until the relaunch with HMD and the transition to Android.
How is the Nokia Kataya
With a mobile operating system unknown to most, the Nokia Kataya is among the two prototypes the most interesting for collectors. Difficult to indicate a precise date of when it was made: most likely early 2012. The dimensions are quite small and the design is similar to other devices launched between 2012 and 2013.
The mobile operating system seems to be very similar to Sailfish OS, but much more raw. It is supposed to be a derivative of the Maemo-Meego-Meltemi project, cancelled by Nokia to keep costs down. The smartphone is a truly unique piece and sells for $1,500. The device is fully functional.
How is the Nokia ION Mini
The Nokia ION Mini is newer: this is evidenced by the presence on board of Android 4.3. It can be dated around 2013-2014 and is one of the few examples of Android-based Nokia smartphones before the arrival of HMD Global. At that time the Finnish company had made an agreement with Microsoft to focus on Windows Phone and all projects concerning the Android world were put aside.
The Nokia ION Mini is characterized by very small size (it can be held in the palm of your hand) and a very particular design. The data sheet is based on the Snapdragon 400 with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory. The screen has a resolution of 480×800 pixels. The device is fully functional and can be purchased on eBay for 1999 dollars.