Nokia is reportedly working on a budget Android phone for next year - but will have to persuade Microsoft it's a good idea.
The company is developing low-end devices which run a forked version of Android, according to sources speaking to The Verge.
Codenamed "Normandy", the new phones would complement Nokia's existing Asha range of budget devices.
Nokia had planned to unveil the devices some time next year, but whether they do see the light of day ahead remains unclear.
Microsoft will shortly complete its takeover of Nokia's mobile phone business, but it's thought that Nokia had already started developing the phones before the acquisition was announced.
Still, Nokia insiders have told All Things Digital that Microsoft execs might back the phone if it runs a heavily customised version of Android.
The sources said Nokia had tweaked Normandy's software to look more like Windows Phone. The company could also pre-install services such as Skype and Bing, offering a gateway into Microsoft's services.
That might be preferable to budget consumers buying low-cost Android phones and signing up to Google's services.
Microsoft and Nokia have not responded to a request for comment.
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