According to The Verge's recent report, Finland-based handset-manufacturer Nokia is developing a new mid-range smartphone, the design of which will apparently remind the users of the ill-fated Zune handset that the company's software partner Microsoft first introduced in 2006.

The Zune handset - which boasted some noteworthy attractions like FM radio and a notably big screen which detailed album art - was launched by Microsoft at a time when rival Apple was already on its fifth-generation iPod. The handset failed to chip away at the iPod's market share; and was discontinued by Microsoft in October 2011.

About the Zune-like handset from Nokia, the report from The Verge, citing unidentified `inside' sources, has revealed that the 4.3-inch handset - most likely to be dubbed the "Zeal" - will be launched by Nokia in early 2013.

The Verge's sources have disclosed that the "Zeal" will be a mid-range handset in Nokia's new line of Lumia smartphones. The currently-in-works "Zeal" smartphone will probably boast a unibody design, and its key features will include a 1.0GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of on-board memory, and a microSD slot.

However, the reported "Zeal" handset is not likely to be introduced at the Nokia's September 5-scheduled Nokia Windows 8 event, where the handset-maker is expected to take the wraps off a couple of Windows 8-based handsets - the Lumia 920 PureView and the Lumia 820 - which will boast wireless charging.