Nokia will introduce its Android phone on February 24

Nokia, whose mobile business will soon be acquired by Microsoft, plans to introduce an Android smartphone this month, writes The Wall Street Journal.

Nokia engineers began developing an Android phone before the company agreed with Microsoft in September last year to sell its mobile business. Until now, it was not clear how this deal will affect the fate of the Android phone, but now WSJ sources have confirmed that the device will be presented at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 24.

The decision to release an Android phone underscores how much Microsoft and Nokia have miscalculated in the mobile market, writes WSJ. For technical reasons, Windows Phone does not yet work on cheap smartphones, which have become a significant source of growth, especially in emerging markets.

Nokia used to be an absolute leader in emerging markets, but the company has lost its position by failing to respond to the growing popularity of Android in many countries. In India, where Symbian had a significant share a few years ago, Android was installed on 93% of new smartphones last year.

Microsoft apparently decided to give part of its line of Android phones to increase sales and support its mobile business. Sales growth will help cover the high price of competition in an industry dominated by Google, Apple and Samsung. At the same time, Microsoft will focus on Windows Phone phones to better compete with the iPhone and Galaxy. It is not yet clear whether the strategy with Android phones is a temporary measure, while Microsoft adapts Windows Phone to cheap smartphones, or not.

Nokia phones will be different from most other Android smartphones, including some features from Google and access to Google Play. The phone will be preloaded with services from Nokia and Microsoft, such as Here cards and the MixRadio music service, as well as the Nokia app store.