Nokia dodges Qualcomm and goes with ST-Ericsson

Rating: Chips for Windows Phone and maybe Android

There’s definitely more to this deal than meets the eye, we reckon. Specialist chip supplier, ST-Ericsson, has just announced it’s been selected by Nokia as a “supplier for future Windows Phone devices” using its NovaThor platform. This will apparently “enable Nokia to extend Windows Phone devices to new price points and geographies.” Hmm. We always knew that Nokia would feel uncomfortable using chips from old rival Qualcomm. Now it’s selected ST-Ericsson which was established as a 50/50 joint venture by STMicroelectronics and Ericsson back in February 2009. Could this be connected with the fact that Ericsson no longer has any connexion with making handsets having recently been bought out by Sony – its former partner?Gilles Delfassy, ST-Ericsson’s CEO, commented, “Our NovaThor platforms continue to gain traction as they enable customers to bring great smartphones to the market.”

He added, “We are pleased to have been selected by Nokia as a key partner for Windows smartphones, in line with our goal to be present in all segments and major operating systems.”

All major operating systems, eh? That means Nokia has gone with chips that could run Android, too. Maybe the company has seen the light at last?

Even Samsung had to swallow its pride and make Symbian phones. So if Nokia wants to be the world’s leading mobile phone producer, it’s going to have to make Android phones.