The Lumia 610 is an important device in the Nokia Windows Phone range. It is also the entry-level product. It brings Windows Phone to a new price point and market segment – the pre-paid market dominated by Android variants. Back when the launch was announced for Australia, WPDownUnder predicted that this device would need to arrive at a sub-$200 price, and hit mass-market retail outlets like Coles Group and Woolworths Group retail stores. Just as we expected, this has now happened with the handset arriving at Big W and featuring in their latest catalogue with some excellent value!

The Lumia 610 has some pretty decent entry-level device specifications – when matched with the right price point!

It also features Internet Sharing/Tethering out-of-the-box, whilst Lumia 800/710 owners in Australia are mostly still waiting for this important feature with the Tango/MCR3 update due sometime this month.

Big W are offering the Lumia 610 via a bundled Boost Mobile pre-paid deal. Pricing is in-line with the RRP from other retailers at $229 – however included is a $40 Boost Mobile credit/sim, bringing the real cost of the handset alone down to the budget-price of $189!

Available in Pink and Blue, though the phone is listed as an ‘Every Day Low Price’ – there is no confirmation that the bundled deal with a $40 Boost Mobile Sim will continue after the catalogue dates of July 12th to July 25th. The Lumia 610 is a quadband device, however the pre-paid Big W offer is locked to the Optus network (which Boost uses) – and would require either payment of an $80 unlock fee (or credit purchase to the same value) to allow unlocking for non-Optus carriers. It’s also worth noting that we believe you would need another SIM in order to use Optus recharges on the Lumia610.

It’s a pretty good deal for Windows Phone Down Under!

Sheeds.