Mobile - Nokia has launched a new dual-SIM card handset in response to demand

[nokia] Today marks a monumental day for Nokia as it reveals its first dual-SIM handset in the shape of the Nokia C2 (and C1-00 in a separate post). With the target firmly set in the developing world, the Nokia C2 offers the possibility of having one handset running two SIM cards simultaneously. Over the past two years, we think it’s safe to say, here on Conversations you guys have been calling for this as a functionality you’d love to see from Nokia. It’s listened and has delivered the Nokia C2. Read on after the jump to find out more, and check out the pictures of this latest handset to join the Cseries line-up.

The main draw to the Nokia C2 is obviously the dual-SIM functionality. The Nokia C2 can keep both SIM cards active; meaning calls and text messages can come to either number while the phone is on. The first SIM card on the Nokia C2 sits underneath the battery. The second SIM card is ‘hot-swappable’, a feature unique to Nokia, meaning it can be removed and inserted when the phone is on. As we mentioned previously, dual-SIM has been a hot topic here on Conversations and the fact that the Nokia C2 will allow you to answer one call and keep the other on hold is great news. Potentially, you could have a work and home account on the same mobile or share the phone with another person. What do you guys think?

It’s hardly a one trick pony. At launch the Nokia C2 also offers a wide range of information covering healthcare, agriculture, education and entertainment via Nokia’s Ovi Life Tools, as well as the email account for the developing world, Ovi Mail. In addition to Ovi Mail, people’s favorite consumer email and chat accounts can be pushed direct to the phone via Nokia Messaging. Listening to music is simple with the FM radio and music player, with a massive amount of music storage with the phone supporting micro-SD cards of up to 32GB.

There’s also enough room for up to 1,000 entries in the phone book, and a standby time of up to 16.5 days. A VGA camera, Bluetooth and GPRS also make the Nokia C2 a very attractive offering.

It doesn’t end there, the Nokia C2 is also a bargain and is the most wallet-friendly Series 40 device to date coming in at 45 Euros before taxes and subsidies. With a penciled on-sale date of Q4 this year it’ll be available in grey, black, magenta, dark blue or white.

Dual-SIM Nokia C2 revealed