Nokia to Produce Clamshell Handset - Report

Nokia is rumoured to be in talks with four Taiwanese outsource manufacturers about contracting them to manufacturer a range of clamshell phones. DigiTimes named the four companies as Arima Communication, BenQ, Compal Communications and Quanta Computer, although it reported them as denying the story.

Agreements have apparently been reached to launch two clamshell handsets in the first half of next year, with BenQ and Quanta, although Quanta is said to be the most likely winner, due to its previous experience with clamshell phones and its recent agreements to ship branded phones to T-Mobile in Europe.

The clamshell design has been widely credited in helping Samsung surge ahead of several competitors, including SonyEricsson in the handset market. Nokia has however been conspicuous by not launching a traditional clamshell handset, although its upcoming 6800 model does come close."

Posted to the site on 22nd April 2003