> 1) The ability to run on lower-powered and thus cheaper hardware and still provide a polished experience, and 2) Nokia's build quality.
The Moto G has put a price floor on things. Even if Microsoft/Nokia could limbo under it, why would anybody buy a basically-the-same Nokia for $150 instead of $179 Real Android? Its too late, these are commodities.
When you're dealing with budget phones, you're talking about super price sensitive buyers. The 520 goes for what, $70 or so? And it's actually a good experience, and a nice phone for that money. Sure, the Moto G is at least 2X better, but with the consumers we're talking about here, that doesn't matter. It's a fascinating area to watch!
From "developed" countries? No. From countries with subsidized handsets, maybe. But Europe is certainly "developed," and that's where Windows Phone is making its biggest inroads:
The Moto G has put a price floor on things. Even if Microsoft/Nokia could limbo under it, why would anybody buy a basically-the-same Nokia for $150 instead of $179 Real Android? Its too late, these are commodities.