Nokia targets Verizon’s low-end with $99 Lumia 822

If Nokia wants to save its skin, it’s going to need Verizon’s help.

To that end, Nokia announced the Lumia 822 today, a $99 device that aims to capture the low-end of Verizon’s smartphone portfolio.

The Lumia 822 comes with a 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 screen, dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, and an 8-megapixel camera (roughly the same features as AT&T’s Lumia 820). Other features include support for wireless charging, and, naturally, compatibility with Verizon’s 4G LTE network.

Surprisingly,  Nokia decided to eschew the colorful palette of colors that the Lumia line has been known for so far. Offering the device in black, white, and grey, Verizon is clearly betting that its customers are looking for more conservative hues.

The Lumia 822 is, as you might expect, a big deal for Nokia. With a 4G LTE network that covers over 250 million people, Verizon is going to play a key role in Nokia’s efforts to get back on its feet — assuming that Verizon’s consumers respond well to Nokia’s devices.

Nokia’s next big move on Verizon will likely be a carrier-specific variant of Nokia’s flagship Lumia 920, which will be exclusive to Verizon starting in November.