Nokia plans to launch 40 new handsets this year, including at least 12 smartphone. The news comes directly from the Vice President and Marketing Director of Nokia.

VP says we can expect some big announcement after mid-April. Windows phone 7 devices are also in the works and if we’re lucky we can get it on the market before 2011 has ended.

Note that those 40 phones is total, which includes specific countries or carriers-mobile version as well (such as the recently announced amazed).

So while the Nokia and Microsoft partnership will not be fruitful for some time before there is much to be expected. Let’s hope there are many pleasant surprises in the way.