Normandy will feature a Windows Phone-like UI

A fresh wave of leaks and rumours are paving the path for the release of what is supposed to be Nokia’s first Android phone, dubbed Normandy. This time, more images of the forked version of the Android UI that Normandy will house have been made available and it bears a striking resemblance to the Windows Phone UI.

Serial leakster @evleaks is behind these leaks too and has put up images that show off “two different ways to interact” with Normandy. @Vizilkeaks has also posted an image of the phone from an angle that makes it looks conspicuously similar to a Lumia or an Asha phone.

The screenshots of the UI that have been leaked are in consistency with the previous ones that have made their way to the Internet. The images show Windows Phone like tiled UI as well as Nokia’s Fastlane UI, both available on Normandy. The Fastlane UI is a staple with Nokia’s entry-level Asha line of phones and it only seems apt since Nokia’s expecting Normandy too to cater to the same price bracket.

The tiled UI looks quite similar to the Windows Phone UI, although it features a whole jumble of colours to denote each application. There’s also the ability to pin images to the start screen. We can also spot staple Nokia apps like Mix Radio and Nokia Here. Of course, there’s also the ability to make folders in the UI. Interestingly, while we don’t spot a Google Play Store, we can spot a Store, pointing further at the forked UI.

The leaks about Normandy have come hard and fast ever since an image of the phone was put up by @evleaks in November. Recent reports have suggested that the phone could see a MWC release next month. Previous rumours suggest that Normandy is slated to be an entry level phone that will run Android version 4.4 KitKat, but a forked version of the OS, quite like what Amazon does with its Kindle Fire tablets. The phone will have dual-SIM capabilities and will run on a 3.4.0 Kernel, hinting at ART optimisation by Nokia.

On the hardware side of things, Normandy will feature an unspecified Qualcomm Snapdragon processor as well as a screen size of 854 x 480. There’s also a 5-megapixel camera to add to the features. As the countdown to MWC draws closer, the leaks are stamping out any possibility of Normandy being relegated to the dustbins. Considering Microsoft has purchased Nokia’s devices division, most people have been skeptical about the Finnish company ever coming up with an Android phone. Guess we know which way this is headed.