It is aimed at attracting entry-level prepaid users in both developing and developed countries.

The new model, 2730 Classic, is available for a price of 80 euros ($108), barring taxes and operator subsidies and may be in the market by the third quarter of this year.

Nokia also released the 7020 and 2720 Fold models for 90 and 55 euros.

Carolina Milanesi, Analyst, Gartner said: The pricing is very, very interesting, especially for operators trying to migrate users to 3G. It will make a difference to sales.

Though Nokia’s new handset is expected to keep it ahead of its rival like Samsung, the company lost market share to other rivals like Apple and Research in Motion as reported in Reuters.

Neil Mawston, strategy analytics analyst, said: Mobile operators worldwide are crying out for more low-cost 3G handsets which enable them to reduce their expensive subsidy budgets and target high-volume mass-market consumers.
She further added Entry-level consumers in regions such as Asia and Africa will make up the next major wave of growth for the 3G handset industry and the 2730 Classic helps to address that segment.