Nokia Unveils Lumia 800, Its First Windows Phone

The Lumia 800 features a 1.4-gigahertz Qualcomm processor, 3.7-inch AMOLED display and an 8-megapixel camera.

The Lumia features the same body as the N9 and is available in cyan, magenta and black. It also comes with 16-gigabytes of built-in storage and is loaded with Nokia Drive, the manufacturer's turn-by-turn navigation app, free of charge.

Nokia will release the Lumia in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the U.K. in early November, and will also make its way to Hong Kong, India, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan before the end of the year.

The Lumia is not expected to come to the U.S. until early next year, but the announcement of the device may be Windows Phone's biggest step toward relevance yet. Windows Phone devices like the HTC Titan and Samsung Focus have held their own in the U.S., but Microsoft's partnership with Nokia is expected to be the key element to its platform's success.

The manufacturer's attention to unique design gives Windows Phones a distinct look that will likely help Microsoft set itself apart from Android phones, which tend to come in one color with a generic design.

Nokia's new device also gives Microsoft's OS a presence overseas it has never had before. Windows Phone holds just 2 percent of the smartphone market, paling in comparison to rivals iOS an Android, but the international launch of the Lumia will likely help the company close the gap.

The Lumia's specs stack up relatively well against the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S2, which will put it in direct competition with two of the world's top-selling smartphones.

Nokia's first Windows Phone may not sell as well as the competition in its class, but it could provide a strong foundation for the company as it moves forward in its partnership with Microsoft.