Nokia says Q1 phone prices better than expected

HELSINKI, Apr 11 (Reuters) The world's largest cellphone maker Nokia said on Tuesday the average selling price (ASP) for its phones in the first quarter was 103 euros (4.8), above the company's earlier forecast.

Nokia said in January it expected ASPs in the first quarter to be flat to slightly down from the 99 euros it achieved in the fourth quarter.

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected the average selling price in January-March to fall to 98 euros from 110 euros a year earlier.

Nokia said in a statement the raised forecast reflected a lower-than-expected proportion of cheap phones in the total sales mix during the quarter.

Shares in Nokia jumped 4.4 percent to 17.71 euros by 1234 GMT, to outperform the slightly firmer DJ Stoxx European technology index.

REUTERS CS RAI1832