Nokia responds to Lumia 820 and 920 critics, calling new smartphones a “step in the journey”

A senior Nokia executive has responded to criticisms of its recently announced Windows Phone 8-based Lumia 820 and 920 smartphones, claiming the new devices would not be the “last step” in its journey.

Nokia’s share price slumped 13% after the company announced the new smartphones late last week, amid reports it had cut component orders for its older devices.

“Nokia has regressed from four to two marketable Lumia models. This cannot help Nokia grow, this is likely to produce a Nokia sales regression,” said the outspoken former Nokia executive and critic of CEO Stephen Elop, Tomi Ahonen.

According to The Telegraph, the sharp criticism has prompted a response from Nokia’s senior vice president of smart devices, Jo Harlow.

“This is a step in the journey,” says Harlow.

“This characterisation that it is the last step is not reality. These are two devices; they’re not all the devices that we’ll base on Windows Phone 8.”

“This is our strategy and it’s a journey; there’s not one moment in time that defines everything.”