Nokia launches metal Lumia smart-camera smartphone

The Lumia 925 is the latest in Nokia's range using Microsoft's Windows Phone software and will be sold for 469 euros ($610) before taxes and subsidies through carriers such as Vodafone and China Mobile.

Nokia chief exec Stephen Elop has pinned the future of the loss-making company on Windows Phone, hoping to reverse a dramatic drop in revenue over the last two years.

The phone weighs 139 grams, compared with 185 for the earlier Lumia 920, which some critics had said was too heavy. It also utilizes a new smart camera mode and a photo editing function which Nokia intends to introduce to all Lumia devices.

"One can think of Lumia 925 as a new version of Lumia 920 that has been put on a diet to fit inside an iPhone-like frame," said Nordea analyst Sami Sarkamies.

Nokia has recently launched new products in the lower and mid-tier range to protect its position in emerging markets, but its success in the high-margin smartphone market will be crucial to its long-term survival.

The company unveiled the slightly heavier Lumia 928 for the U.S. market last Friday. It was priced at $99 after a rebate and a two-year deal with Verizon Wireless.

Both the Lumia 925 and 928 http://www.nokia.com/global/products/phone/lumia925 are targeted at the high-end, flagship segment, which accounts for 35 to 40% of the total global market, said Jo Harlow, Nokia's executive vice president for smart devices.

Sales of Lumia phones have grown in recent quarters, but at 5.6 mln in first quarter, they still account for only around 5% of the market.