Microsoft Lumia 830 heads to Australia

MICROSOFT is focusing on the hip pocket in a bid to win market share from Apple and Android.

The new Lumia 830 smartphone costs less than the premium Lumia 930 but has high-end features: a 720p LCD display, 10 megapixel camera, 1.2 Gigahertz quadcore processor and slot for a 128 Gigabyte microSD card. It runs Windows Phone 8.1. $579, retailers and telcos.

MICROSOFT is focusing on the hip pocket in a bid to win market share from Apple and Android, announcing its ‘affordable flagship’ Lumia 830 in Australia.

The phone, the first Windows Phone to be compatible with Australia’s ultrafast 700 MHz spectrum, is available outright for $579, which compares to $869 for the base-level iPhone 6 from Apple and $796 for the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Telstra will switch on its 700 MHz spectrum from January 1 2015, while Optus is currently trialling its 700 MHz capacity in certain areas including Darwin and Perth, with a broader national rollout set for March 2015.

“With PureView imaging, wireless charging capability and a wealth of other great features, the Lumia 830 delivers the best innovations and experiences from our flagship smartphones at a more affordable price, cementing Microsoft’s commitment to offer a competitive Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone for everyone,” General Manager of Microsoft Devices in Australia and New Zealand Steve Lewis said.

The handset comes pre-loaded with Windows Phone 8.1 including the new Lumia Denim update and boasts a 10-megapixel camera, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, Microsoft Office Mobile and wireless charging functionality, though the charger is sold separately.

The Lumia 830 is expected to be available in Australia with Telstra, major retailers, and to Optus Corporate and Enterprise customers through Optus business channels in November, in a range of colours including bright orange, bright green, white and black.

Microsoft’s phone division continues to be a drag on its earnings, closing its $US7 billion acquisition ($7.85bn) of Nokia’s handset business in April as part of its plan to catch up in a fast-growing mobile business.

The company unveiled plans in July to cut up to 18,000 jobs in the next year, or about 14 per cent of its workforce, largely to clear up overlap with the Nokia businesses.