Nokia Chief Stephen Elop has indicated that the handset maker will launch Windows Phone powered handsets within this year.

He confirmed reports that the first Windows Phone device from Nokia will be launched within 201m in an interview to a media outlet. Elop said that the company will launch the devices country-by-country starting sometime in 2011 but will reach some countries only in 2012.

Elop said Nokia's first Windows Phone devices "will be in the market in the world in Q4." The launch will be in a staged manner so handsets will be available in one country after another after another over time.

He also said that he was in China to hold discussions with Chinese operators doe determing the launch timing for the country. "We believe it will be very successful because of the unique capabilities we are bringing from Nokia, the quality of the design, the strength of our organisation, including here in China, so we're very excited about some aggressive sales targets for these products," he said.