The History and Transformation of Microsoft Lumia Smartphones
Explore the journey of Microsoft Lumia smartphones, from Nokia's dominance to Microsoft's takeover, early innovations, and eventual decline amidst smartphone industry shifts. Discover key models, technological upgrades, and market dynamics shaping Lumia's legacy.
The Evolution and Transformation of Microsoft Lumia Phones
Microsoft Lumia smartphones, developed, produced, and promoted by Microsoft, originated from Nokia's legacy. Before 2012, Nokia dominated global mobile sales, holding a significant portion of the world's mobile market. As smartphones replaced traditional mobile devices, Nokia's pace lagged behind industry leaders like Samsung and Apple. Despite this, Lumia lineups remain relevant today. The partnership between Nokia and Microsoft began in 2011, with Nokia manufacturing devices powered by Windows OS, featuring Bing and Nokia Maps integration.
The first Lumia devices, Lumia 710 and 800, debuted in October 2011 at a Nokia event. The Lumia 900, supporting LTE, launched in 2012, becoming a popular flagship. Nokia also introduced Lumia 610 for emerging markets. Upgrades with Windows 8 brought Lumia 820 and 920, adding NFC and other features. The Lumia 520 became the best-selling Windows phone, boosting Nokia's market share. In 2013, Microsoft acquired Nokia for $7 billion, rebranding Lumia devices under the Microsoft name. The Lumia 950, 950 XL, and 550 marked the shift to Windows 10 Mobile. However, sales declined between 2015 and 2017 due to the rise of Android and iOS devices, leading to slowed production and market exit rumors, though no official discontinuation was announced.
