Admittedly, the Nokia X is a lackluster device. Out of the box it runs Nokia services, Bing, Microsoft cloud services, and blocks key Google services. The device on a good day is a mid range device, but it did allow root and for that, we celebrate.

nokiaxline

Some attendants at Mobile World Congress received the 4" Nokia X. XDA user Kashamalaga was one of those lucky receipients. He then easily obtained root access to the handset using the Framaroot one click application. From there the Google Play Store was loaded as well as the Google Experience Launcher. The bootloader does appear to be locked however, but that should be no surprise. You can read more about his rooting experience here.

It is possible that the other Nokia X devices, the Nokia X+ and XL will also have a vulnerability to the same exploit, but the devices are cut from the same mold. All three devices feature the 8225 Qualcomm Snapdrag processor running a single core. The XL stands out from the smaller devices by featuring a 5 inch screen, and a front facing camera. Outside of those mind boggling specs, they all have an 800 x 480 display with 512MB RAM for the X and 768MB RAM for the X+ and the XL. In essence, these specs are straight out of 2009. Android users are not going to be remotely impressed by these specs.



There are scores of better mid range or even some low end phones to purchase over these devices, but I can understand the desire of many to want to own a Nokia phone. The hope is that they will release a more high end modern device running Android and the framework will be laid for developers to gain root like they have for the Nokia X. I do not see that happening with Microsoft completing the purchase of Nokia and their firm commitment to deliver and force Windows 8 OS to their customers.

At least we can say that we can run true Android on these early releases. And for now, many of us will continue to dream of once again owning a Nokia device again.



H/T Android Central

Nokia X line specs

Framaroot