Microsoft Devices Group unveiled Nokia X2, with the first high-profile smartphone launch from the former Nokia handset unit under its new ownership being a device powered by an Android variant.

As with the previous X-family smartphones, it is billed as offering “a world of Android apps and popular Microsoft services”, such as Outlook.com, Skype and OneDrive. Other Microsoft apps will be available for download, including the Bing Search app, OneNote and Yammer.

The X2 also sees the introduction of the next version of the Nokia X platform, which is said to deliver “major enhancements to the user interface”. It is built on top of the open-source version of Android 4.3, without the integrated support for Google’s apps and services.

An upgrade to the platform used in the previous Nokia X devices has also been promised, although no details were revealed.

This includes support for three types of screens “to facilitate navigation”; a “colourful” home tab with resizable tiles; “Fastlane”, providing access to recent apps and future calendar items; and a “Lumia-inspired apps list”, from which users can pin items to the home screen.

The 4.3-inch screen device has a 5 megapixel camera, and is powered by a 1.2GHz dualcore Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor. It will initially be available in a dual-SIM version, with a rollout starting in July 2014.

It will come in several colours, launching in “glossy orange, black and green”, with “glossy yellow, white and matte dark grey” to follow.

With a suggested retail price of €99, the vendor said it offers “a compelling choice for a new generation of smartphone buyers”.