The Nokia 1200 Series phones will be targeted for first-time and prepaid users, and introduce features not usually associated with phones in the basic category, including e-mail, text and picture messaging, games, downloadable ring tones, and a phonebook with support for up to 200 entries.

"Nokia designs products tailored to each type of user, and entry-level phone users have their own set of needs," said Pekka Vartiainen, senior vice president of sales for Nokia.

"We don't believe that the way to address this market segment is to simply strip features out of an existing product, but to include those features that consumers demand, and engineer it in a way that the product remains affordable for everyone."

The Nokia 1200 Series phones are designed to be easy-to-use for novice wireless customers, yet powerful enough for experts. They include Nokia's intuitive dual soft-key user interface that is found across Nokia's range of wireless phones.

This makes it easy for Nokia 1200 Series phone customers to move up to other Nokia handsets without having to relearn the operation of a new phone. The Nokia 1200 Series phone also includes easy-to-use large, high-contrast black-on-white keys on a compact 4.5 inch long, 5.3 ounce body.

The Nokia 1200 Series phones bring the power of mobile text communications to the entry-level wireless market by integrating the capability to easily send and receive e-mails, text messages and picture messages.

With over 200 billion text messages sent in 2001 alone, the wireless phone has become more than a voice tool for wireless users across all market segments. Additionally, the Nokia 1200 Series phones introduce a new level of fun to the basic segment by including downloadable ring tones and three games, including Space Impact, Snake II and Pairs II.

Features of the Nokia 1220 (TDMA 800MHz/AMPS) and Nokia 1260 (TDMA 800/1900MHz/AMPS) phones include:

• Two-way mobile text messaging with predictive text input
• E-mail support
• Picture messaging
• Downloadable ringing tones
• 3 games: Snake II, Space Impact and Pairs II
• Phonebook with up to 200 entries
• Alarm clock with snooze
• Standard 900mAh nickel-metal hydride battery
• Up to 2.5-5 hours of digital talk time
• Up to 6.5-15 days of digital standby time
• Only 5.3 ounces - measures 4.5 in x 1.94 in x 1.02 in

Note: Features and services are carrier and network dependent and subject to change. Please check with service provider for availability and description of services. Battery talk and standby times are estimates only and depend on a variety of factors.