Nokia will launch its first Windows Phone device later this year in "select countries," Nokia chief Stephen Elop said today.
"While the launch itself will be an important milestone, it is just one more step in our journey of transformation," Elop said during an earnings call. "We will be launching in select countries later this quarter and then we plan to systematically increase the numbers of countries, launch partners and products during the course of 2012."
Elop did not have details on specific countries, but he did say that Nokia is "very thoughtful to where and when we launch Windows Phone relative to where Symbian is strong ... so we get the right balance."
When asked why Nokia was opting for a country-by-country rollout rather than a major, global release, Elop said Nokia needs to be "very deliberate in the sequence in which we roll things out because it is a significant shift for the organization in how we sell, how we manufacture, all of those different elements."
Considerations include different language variants, operator billing, network capabilities, and more. "So we're being very deliberate, starting in certain markets, expanding again, continuing to expand and really having it blossom through the course of 2012," Elop said.
Nokia didn't have anything to share about price points for its Windows Phone devices, but Elop said customers should expect a "cascading series of devices" at different prices.
What will a Nokia-produced Windows Phone look like?
"As you see our products launch, you will see the first signs of differentiation ... relative to Android and iPhone and also, relative to other players within the Windows Phone ecosystem," Elop said. "We have strengths in design, in hardware and mechanics, and a variety of other things, and we're going to be quite proud to show our work in that area."
"It's important to note, [that this] is our first foray into the Windows Phone space; you'll see our first signs of differentiation and our ability to differentiate clearly increases with time as we can more directly impact the software release cycle and so forth with our partners at Microsoft," Elop continued.
Elop showed off a prototype Windows Phone device in Singapore over the summer, which was codenamed Sea Ray, but nothing specific about the company's first device has ben announced. Elop declined to comment on what chipset its phone will include, for example.
Despite the impending launch of Windows Phone-based devices, it has been a tough year and transition for Nokia. Last month, the company announced plans to lay off 3,500 workers over the next year in locations around the world, including Malvern, Pennsylvania here in the United States. Back in April, Nokia also said it would cut 4,000 jobs and outsource its Symbian development team to Accenture.
"It is important to emphasize that we are on a journey during which we are systematically transforming our company," Elop said today.
Microsoft is also hoping the Nokia will boost its lagging Windows Phone platform. Last month, Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer admitted that he's not thrilled with current Windows Phone sales, but pointed to Nokia as a way to boost the popularity of the OS.
If customers get a "taste" of Windows Phone, they're really going to like it," Elop said.